Ginseng for managing menopausal woman's health

Abstract

Background:The aim of this systematic review was to update, complete, and critically evaluate the evidence from placebo-controlled randomized clinical trials (RCTs) of ginseng for managing menopausal women's health.Methods:We searched the literature using 13 databases (MEDLINE, AMED, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, 6 Korean Medical, and 3 Chinese Databases) from their inception to July 2016 and included all double-blind RCTs that compared any type of ginseng with a placebo control in postmenopausal women. The methodological quality of all studies was assessed using a Cochrane risk of bias tool.Results:Ten RCTs met our inclusion criteria. Most RCTs had unclear risk of bias. One RCT did not show a significant difference in hot flash frequency between Korean red ginseng (KRG) and placebo. The second RCT reported positive effects of KRG on menopausal symptoms. The third RCT found beneficial effects of ginseng (Ginsena) on depression, well-being, and general health. Four RCTs failed to show significant differences in various hormones between KRG and placebo controls except dehydroepiandrosterone. Two other RCTs failed to show effects of KRG on endometrial thickness in menopausal women. The other RCT also failed to show the effects of American ginseng on oxidative stress markers and other antioxidant enzymes.Conclusion:Our systematic review provided positive evidence of ginseng for sexual function and KRG for sexual arousal and total hot flashes score in menopausal women. However, the results of KRG or ginseng failed to show specific effects on hot flash frequency, hormones, biomarkers, or endometrial thickness. The level of evidence for these findings was low because of unclear risk of bias.

A Nutraceutical Approach to Menopausal Complaints

“…The principal active compounds are ginsenosides, which have been shown to exert estrogen-like actions [104,105]. However, side effects are not clear at all, and more studies are requested to assess the effects on hot flash frequency and endometrial thickness [106].…”

Red ginseng monograph

“…Besides its functions as a health functional food, diverse effects of red ginseng have been elucidated in both cells and animals and have been proven in clinical trials as well. In recent years, based on clinical research, the effects of ginseng including red ginseng have been evaluated through systematic examinations and meta-analyses of the improvement of blood glucose levels [83] , health of menopausal women [84] , erectile dysfunction (ED) [85] , and anticancer an effect [86] . The major effects of red ginseng, besides those functions certified by the KFDA, and recent clinical studies related to quality of life are as follows:…”

Ginseng for the Treatment of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Systematic Review of Clinical Studies

“…13 Ginsenosides are known to have biological activity in maintaining homeostasis of the body and enhancing vital energy. 14 Being one of the most commonly used herbal dietary supplements and the most-studied herb for human physical performance, 15 ginseng has been used for centuries in traditional medicine to treat various diseases, such as cancer, 16 postmenopausal symptoms, 17 and erectile dysfunction. 18 The anti-fatigue effects of ginseng have already been documented in clinical practice and various animal-based experiments.…”