Ginseng And Its Potential For Improving Immune Function

Overview

Ginseng is a medicinal root herb popular in various East Asian countries such as China, Korea, and Japan. Its use in traditional Chinese medicine dates back to over thousands of years. The reason behind ginseng’s longstanding use is its natural antioxidant properties, making it a fundamental and versatile dietary supplement. That said, ginseng’s rich source of antioxidants isn’t its only selling point. Ginseng is reported to have a multitude of other health benefits including anti-hypertensive, anti-cancer, and anti-inflammatory effects.¹ 

In this article, we will focus on ginseng’s role in improving immune function. How effective is ginseng in boosting our immunity? Is there any fact to this claim or is it all hearsay? 

What is ginseng?

Ginseng is a renowned medicinal herb native to Eastern countries. There are two kinds of ginseng – Asian and American. The former is grown in Korea and China, whereas the latter is found in America. Its use has been popularised for various health-related purposes in traditional Chinese medicine. Currently, ginseng’s primary mode of administration is via oral medication. This can be through pills or as a drink (tea or extract).²

What are the different types of ginseng?

Ginseng comes in many varieties but the two main types of commercial ginseng available are:

• Asian (Korean or Chinese) ginseng (Panax ginseng)
• American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius)¹

Although these two types have different chemical properties and offer different health benefits, they both contain a key chemical which is hypothesised to enable the stimulating effects of ginseng. These chemicals are called ginsenosides and are found in the roots of the herb. Ginseng is considered to be an adaptogen and immune modulator because it contains ginsenosides which protect against stress by maintaining homeostasis. Adaptogen is a term used to describe natural substances in plants or mushrooms that enable your body to adapt to physical, biological, or chemical stresses. This allows for homeostasis (a state of balance) within the body. Ginsenosides are also suggested to be the main active substance of ginseng that provides antioxidative, antihypertensive, anti-cancer, and neuromodulatory benefits.³ 

Understanding the immune system

Your immune system is composed of an intricate network of cells, tissues, and organs. They work in synergy to provide protection against infections and diseases. Pathogens are microorganisms that cause disease, this includes bacteria, viruses, and fungi. When our immune cells identify a pathogen or antigen (harmful or foreign substance) they eliminate it. In doing so, they prevent the pathogen from replicating and worsening the disease. This process is referred to as the immune response.⁴ 

There are three main types of immunity:

Innate immunity 

As the name implies, this type of immunity is “innate” and refers to the protection that we are born with. This system acts as the body’s first line of defence. It involves physical protective barriers such as your skin, mucous membranes, and stomach acid. These barriers prevent harmful substances from entering the body and causing disease. Innate immunity also includes key immune cells and chemicals which can attack foreign substances.

Adaptive immunity

This system is also known as “active” immunity. It is an active immune response that is developed following infection or vaccination against a foreign substance. Adaptive immune responses are carried out by specialised white blood cells called T cells and B cells. Activated T cells can either kill pathogens directly or send signals to activate other immune cells to destroy the pathogen instead. Activated B cells produce antibodies. Both T and B cells can become memory cells, which are specialised cells that remember the antigen. This means your immune system can respond more quickly if you are re-exposed to the same pathogen in the future. 

Passive immunity

This type of immunity is when you are given antibodies instead of making them. For instance, it occurs when a baby acquires their mother’s antibodies through the placenta or breast milk. Another example is receiving antibodies via an injection (this may be to protect against a toxin).⁵ 

How does ginseng affect the immune system? 

Numerous studies have provided evidence for ginseng’s immunomodulatory and immunostimulatory properties. These studies suggest that ginseng can strengthen our immune response against illness and microbial infections due to the ginsenosides it contains. Ginsenosides boost your immune system by increasing the activation and production of immune cells, which enhances the overall immune response. This was shown in a clinical trial that involved 100 people, where participants taking Korean red ginseng were demonstrated to have a significantly higher number of T cells and B cells compared to the placebo group.⁶ 

Can ginseng be used to treat autoimmune conditions? 

Autoimmune diseases occur due to an abnormal reaction to a normal body part/function. Asian ginseng can be used as an alternative treatment modality for autoimmune diseases. This is because of its immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory properties. 

Whilst the significance of ginseng’s benefit for autoimmune conditions remains unclear, it has been used for the following conditions:

• Multiple sclerosis 
• Crohn’s disease
• Ulcerative colitis
• Atopic dermatitis (a type of eczema)
• Rheumatoid arthritis 

Currently, there is limited research to support ginseng’s use as an effective treatment for autoimmune diseases. Moreover, there have been doubts regarding its use for these conditions. This is because ginseng increases your immune system’s activity, which may have a counterproductive effect as it can potentially exacerbate autoimmune diseases. Nevertheless, some research studies have shown that ginseng can regulate the immune system by balancing the production of proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines. Future studies are required to investigate this further and confirm ginseng’s efficacy.⁷

How can ginseng be used to boost vaccine protection? 

An adjuvant is an ingredient incorporated into vaccines or used alongside them to enable a stronger immune response. They act as vaccine enhancers by helping them work better. Ginseng extract can be used as an adjuvant, as it contains ginsenosides, which stimulate the immune system. 

Several research studies have reported ginseng’s use as a potential adjuvant. They report ginseng can promote antibody production in certain conditions. For example, ginseng has been shown to enhance and maintain the antibody response following vaccination against toxoplasmosis and COVID-19. Additionally, ginseng was demonstrated to improve the immune response and quality of influenza vaccines.^8,9,10

What are the other health benefits?

As mentioned earlier, ginseng offers numerous health benefits. Not all of these are related to improving immune function. Other benefits include:

• Increasing your energy and reducing fatigue
• Enhancing cognitive function 
• Lowering blood sugar levels
• Lowering the risk of cancer
• Improving sexual function and fertility
• Improving heart health
• Weight loss 

Potential risks and side effects

Overall, both Asian and American ginseng are reported to be safe to use for up to 6 months. However, long-term use may lead to adverse side effects. The most common side effect is insomnia (sleeping difficulty). Other side effects include:

• Period problems
• Breast pain
• Headache
• Loss of appetite 

In rare cases, the following more serious side effects may occur:

• Allergic reactions (i.e., rash, hives)
• Increased heart rate
• High blood pressure (hypertension) 

Contact your doctor if you experience severe side effects. You should always seek further medical guidance from your healthcare provider before implementing ginseng into your diet. This is especially important if you have other pre-existing conditions or are already taking other prescription medications. 

When should I avoid ginseng?

Due to inadequate safety evidence, both Asian and American ginseng are considered unsafe to use during pregnancy or when breastfeeding.

Asian ginseng is also not recommended for people with autoimmune conditions. Although some research studies have implicated ginseng’s use as an alternative treatment for these conditions, these studies are generally limited and require further evidence. Moreover, as ginseng boosts the activity of the immune system, it poses a risk of potentially worsening autoimmune diseases. 

Potential drug interactions

Ginseng may reduce the effectiveness or increase the adverse effects of the following drugs:

• Anticoagulant drugs (e.g., warfarin)
• Antihypertensive drugs (medication for high blood pressure)
• Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)
• Diuretics (e.g., umetanide, furosemide, torsemide) 

Is it alright to take ginseng every day?

Asian ginseng is generally safe to use for up to 6 months. However, prolonged use for over 6 months will increase your risk of adverse effects. Long-term side effects include sleeping difficulties and changes in hormone levels. It is recommended to take daily oral doses of 200 to 3000 mg for up to 12 weeks (around 3 months) for adults.

American ginseng is less stimulating than Asian ginseng. Daily 100 to 3000 mg doses are safe for up to 12 weeks. It is recommended in two daily oral doses of 200 to 400 mg for 3-6 months. Side effects may include moderate headaches, but this type of ginseng is usually well-tolerated.

It is always advisable to consult your healthcare provider to identify the optimaldose for your specific condition. Also, confirm with them whether ginseng usage will have harmful interactions with any other medications you may be taking. 

Summary

Ginseng is a renowned traditional medicinal herb that offers a range of health benefits. One of these benefits includes ginseng’s potential as a supplement to strengthen your immune system. Research has indicated that ginsenosides are the chemicals responsible for ginseng’s immune-boosting capabilities. Ginsenosides enable ginseng’s antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects which help to improve your immune response. Nevertheless, more research is required to provide definitive evidence of ginseng’s effectiveness as a treatment for autoimmune diseases and its use as an adjuvant.