© Freepik
Ginseng has been an integral part of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for centuries.
July 28, 2025
Hanja Niederhammer
Libido, menopausal symptoms, skin - ginseng is said to have positive effects on these. But what is behind it? A study-based look at possible effects on women.
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Ginseng is considered a versatile herbal remedy - especially women hope for more energy, hormonal balance, and beautiful skin. But what of this is scientifically proven? This article takes a well-founded look at studies, mechanisms of action, and open questions.
Ginseng (Panax ginseng), also known as Korean or Asian ginseng. The medicinal plant comes from the forested, mountainous regions of Korea and China. Its tuberous root has been valued in traditional medicine for centuries - today it serves as the basis for dietary supplements and herbal medicines. Ginseng is available in different forms and is used as white, red, or fermented variety depending on the processing.
It is said to provide energy, help with menopausal symptoms, strengthen the immune system, and even boost libido: Ginseng is considered a true all-rounder among herbal remedies. Women, in particular, are increasingly turning to it - whether in cases of exhaustion, hormonal fluctuations, or as a companion in stressful life phases. But which ginseng actually suits whom? And: Is there a type that is particularly suitable for women?
One thing is certain: Ginseng is not just Ginseng. It is differentiated by botanical origin and processing method.
By the way: When we talk about 'ginseng' here, we usually mean Panax ginseng - that is, Asian or Korean ginseng. It is the classic among the types of ginseng and at the same time the one for which there are most studies.
Science has now confirmed the centuries-old empirical knowledge. Today, the differences between the types of ginseng can also be proven on a biochemical level - especially in terms of their composition and processing.
A recent review certifies Ginseng positive effects on fatigue, libido, menopausal complaints, and even on metabolic and inflammatory markers.
What is missing, however, are direct comparative studies between the different processing methods.
Hot flashes, mood swings, sleep problems - many women experience menopause as a physical and emotional tightrope walk. Those who do not want to resort to hormone replacement immediately look for gentler alternatives. This is where ginseng for women comes into play: as a natural supporter in a time of change.
A systematic review from Korea examined four randomized studies with postmenopausal women.
The result: In one study, Red Ginseng showed an effect on women's sexual perception and general well-being compared to placebo. Another showed improvements in the so-called Kupperman Index - an established measure for menopausal symptoms.
Two other studies provided mixed results: While one described positive effects on depressive moods, another showed no influence on the frequency of hot flashes.
The results are encouraging, but due to the small number of participants and different study designs, they are not yet conclusive.
Stronger is the finding of a new meta-analysis from 2022: It evaluated 15 placebo-controlled studies and shows that ginseng can alleviate typical menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes. In several studies, women's quality of life also improved. Psychological stress such as irritability or nervousness also decreased.
A crucial aspect: These positive effects occurred without direct hormonal mechanisms of action.
Ginseng gehört zu den sogenannten Adaptogenen: Er greift nicht direkt in den Hormonhaushalt ein, unterstützt aber das hormonelle Gleichgewicht - etwa über stressregulierende und entzündungshemmende Effekte. Eine Hilfe für Körper und Psyche, ohne selbst hormonell zu wirken.
Wenn die Lust auf der Strecke bleibt, suchen viele Frauen nach sanften Wegen, um ihr sexuelles Wohlbefinden zu stärken. Ginseng, insbesondere der koreanische rote Ginseng, wird dabei oft als pflanzlicher Helfer genannt. Trägt die Wissenschaft diese Einschätzungen mit?
Eine koreanische Studie aus dem Jahr 2021 untersuchte 55 prämenopausale Frauen, die aufgrund einer gynäkologischen Krebserkrankung frühzeitig in die Menopause versetzt wurden. Über zwölf Wochen hinweg erhielten sie täglich 3 g Ginseng oder ein Placebo. Während sich die allgemeinen Wechseljahresbeschwerden in beiden Gruppen verbesserten, zeigte sich in der Ginseng-Gruppe eine signifikante Linderung sexueller Beschwerden wie vermindertem Verlangen oder Unlust.
Allerdings zeigt eine systematische Overview study from 2022 that analyzed 15 placebo-controlled studies concluded that ginseng overall had no significant effects on sexual function in menopausal women
Ginseng is often touted as an herbal remedy to increase libido in women. Individual studies do indeed provide evidence of positive effects. However, overall, the study situation is still too inconsistent and limited to derive clear recommendations. The question of a lust-enhancing effect thus remains open - a field of research with potential, but still without a clear answer.
Even in serious diseases such as breast cancer, ginseng is increasingly coming into focus - as a herbal supplement to conventional medical treatment.
In a randomized, double-blind study 40 women with early, non-metastatic breast cancer daily received 1g of ginseng or a placebo during the course of their chemotherapy.
The result: While the quality of life in the placebo group measurably declined, it remained stable under ginseng - in all areas examined: physical, emotional, social, and functional. The effect on emotional well-being and the breast cancer-specific symptom scale was particularly striking.
A second study by the same team of authors examined possible heart-protective effects. 30 patients received ginseng or placebo again - this time focusing on the so-called ejection fraction, a measure of the heart's pumping power. Under ginseng, this remained largely preserved, while it significantly decreased in the placebo arm. The authors conclude that ginseng could protect against early, chemotherapy-induced heart weakness.
A long-term Chinese study from 2022 provides promising observational data: Women who regularly took ginseng were less likely to develop certain types of cancer. Animal and cell studies also show: Ginseng has antioxidant effects, reduces pro-inflammatory messengers, and could thus have cell-protective effects.
Important: Even though ginseng shows promising results, breast cancer patients should always discuss the intake of supplements with their treating physician. Certain preparations can interact with cancer therapy or affect its efficacy. Personalized advice is therefore essential.
What happens when a substance shows harmless or even positive effects in animal studies, but is scarcely researched in humans? This is exactly the scientific no man's land in which Panax Ginseng finds itself when it comes to pregnancy.
Current Animal studies initially give the all-clear: Even in high doses, no malformations occurred in pregnant rats. In some experiments, ginsenosides like Rg2 even improved fetal growth and survival. But this glimmer of hope has a catch: The data comes exclusively from the laboratory - not from clinics. So far, there is no solid human study that examines the effects and safety in humans.
This means: Nobody knows for certain how ginseng affects pregnancy in humans. This is precisely why the literature advises caution or even complete avoidance. As long as there are more open questions than answers, caution is more than appropriate.
Smoother skin, fewer wrinkles - and maybe soon fuller hair? Ginseng seems to do more than just provide energy.
In a Korean double-blind study 21 women applied an emulsion containing Panax ginseng and hawthorn extract to one side of their face for twelve weeks, while the other side was treated with a placebo.
The result was visible and measurable: fewer wrinkles, reduced roughness, and significantly improved moisture retention on the ginseng side. The skin texture appeared smoother, and the so-called photo damage score - a marker for UV-induced skin aging - dropped significantly.
Ginseng also convinced in the Petri dish: In vitro tests showed that the ginseng mixture promotes the formation of procollagen and inhibits degradation by skin-damaging enzymes. Fermented ginseng extracts could even go further: Previous studies show that they can reduce pigment spots and boost collagen production - a potential game-changer in anti-aging cosmetics.
Even here, ginseng provides first glimmers of hope - at least in the laboratory. In one study, extracts from red ginseng stimulated the growth of human hair follicle cells and significantly accelerated hair growth in mice. The active ingredients targeted precisely where hormonally induced hair loss begins: they blocked the effect of DHT, a testosterone derivative that inhibits hair growth.
Although clinical studies in humans are still pending, especially in women - the existing results suggest: Ginseng could in the future establish itself as a natural remedy against wrinkles and thinning hair.
Ginseng does not act like a classic hormone preparation. Instead, its ingredients (especially ginsenosides) influence biochemical systems related to stress regulation, mood, and cell protection. In cell and animal models, it showed, among other things:
These mechanisms might explain why ginseng helps with fatigue, mood swings, or skin issues - even without directly affecting hormone balance.
© Freepik
Menopause is physically and mentally challenging for many women.
© Edward Eyer
Ginseng is often touted as a herbal remedy for enhancing libido in women.
© Klaus Nielsen
A long-term Chinese study from 2022 provides promising observational data: Women who regularly took ginseng were less likely to develop certain types of cancer.
© Janko Ferlic
The effects of ginseng on human pregnancy have not yet been sufficiently studied.
© Element5 Digital
Research is currently being conducted on how ginseng can affect hair growth.
