Written by Alexa Heathorn, MS, CNS-c. Daily supplementation of 200 mg of hydroponically grown red Panax ginseng for three weeks significantly reduced perceived stress and negative emotional states, while increasing focus, mental clarity, and memory in adults experiencing moderate stress.

Chronic stress is a significant public health concern affecting individuals worldwide and contributing to both physiological and psychological consequences^1,2. Prolonged exposure to stress has been associated with an increased risk of conditions such as cardiovascular disease, anxiety, depression, and declining cognitive function². As chronic stress continues to affect large segments of the population, there is a growing interest in effective interventions to mitigate its detrimental effects². Among these, botanicals and dietary supplements are commonly explored, particularly Panax ginseng C.A. Mey., known for its proposed ability to regulate the body’s stress response, enhancing resilience and overall health¹. A recent study highlights the potential benefits of Red Panax ginseng root powder, a powder form of Panax ginseng C.A. Mey., on perceived stress levels, emotional regulation, and cognitive performance in moderately stressed individuals¹.

Panax ginseng, also known as Asian ginseng or Korean ginseng, is a widely used botanical in traditional Chinese medicine known for its health-promoting and stress regulating properties¹. The herb contains several active compounds,  including ginsenosides, polysaccharides, and polyphenols, that are thought to contribute to its beneficial effects¹. Previous research has shown that Panax ginseng may regulate the body’s stress response by modulating the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis, influencing neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine, reducing inflammation and oxidative stress, and enhancing neuroplasticity and neuroprotection within specific brain regions related to stress regulation^3,4. These actions may improve resilience to stress and support brain health. Clinical studies have also observed improvements in perceived stress levels, mood regulation, and cognitive function following ginseng supplementation¹.

Previous studies on the effects of ginseng included significant limitations that make it difficult to draw clear conclusions. These include small sample sizes, inconsistent dosing, short intervention periods, and a lack of clarity around the form of ginseng used¹. To address these gaps, a recent randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was designed to evaluate the effects of a 3-week intervention of a unique form of hydroponically grown Red Panax ginseng root powder. This preparation was enriched with high levels of rare ginsenosides, a more bioavailable and potent form of ginseng, aiming to provide more consistent and measurable effects¹.

The study included 149 individuals experiencing moderate levels of stress, randomized to receive either 200 mg of the Ginseng supplement a day (n=72) or a placebo (n=77) over a 3 week period. Perceived stress levels, emotional assessment, and cognitive abilities were tested at baseline (Day 0) and at the end of the intervention (Day 21). The study aimed to understand whether this form of ginseng could improve how people feel and think when under stress, compared to a placebo¹.

The results were as follows after 3 weeks of supplementation:

• Perceived stress: Participants who received hydroponically grown red Panax ginseng (200 mg/day) reported a significantly greater reduction in perceived stress levels compared to the placebo group (−4.3 ± 4.6 vs. −2.7 ± 4.7; p = 0.040).).
• Negative emotional states: The ginseng group reported feeling significantly less negative emotion, including irritability, sadness, and stress, after 3 weeks compared to the placebo group (−2.6 ± 5.9 vs. −1.1 ± 4.6; p = 0.032). No major changes were observed in positive emotions such as happiness or enthusiasm in either group.
• Depressive Symptoms: Both groups experienced improvements in depression scores, with a greater reduction in the ginseng group (−6.4 ± 6.4) compared to the placebo (−4.7 ± 6.8), though this was not statistically significant (p = 0.073).
• Cognitive Function: Participants in the ginseng group completed problem-solving tasks more quickly and made fewer mistakes on memory-based tasks, suggesting improvements in mental clarity, focus, and short-term memory compared to the placebo group.

Potential limitations of the study include:

• The study population was limited to healthy adults aged 18-60 experiencing moderate levels of perceived stress, therefore results may not generalize to individuals outside of this age range, or those who experience severe stress, or have diagnosed mood disorders or chronic health conditions.
• The intervention period was relatively short (3 weeks), therefore long term effects of ginseng supplementation remain unknown.
• A unique form of hydroponically grown Red Panax ginseng was used in this trial, therefore results may not be generalized to other forms of ginseng supplementation.
• Emotional and cognitive outcomes were based on self-reported data and computer based tasks, which may introduce variability based on individual interpretation and performance.

In conclusion, daily supplementation of 200 mg of hydroponically grown red Panax ginseng for three weeks significantly reduced perceived stress and negative emotional states, while increasing focus, mental clarity, and memory in adults experiencing moderate stress. These findings support the potential for red Panax ginseng as a safe short-term intervention for enhancing well-being while under stress. However, further research is needed to assess its long-term effects and its efficacy in individuals experiencing higher levels of stress or living with underlying health conditions.

Source: Dormal, Valérie, Lucas Jonniaux, Marine Buchet, Laurent Simar, Sylvie Copine, and Louise Deldicque. “Effect of Hydroponically Grown Red Panax Ginseng on Perceived Stress Level, Emotional Processing, and Cognitive Functions in Moderately Stressed Adults: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study.” Nutrients 17, no. 6 (2025): 955.

© 2025 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/
licenses/by/4.0/).

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Posted July 1, 2025.

Alexa Heathorn, MS, CNS-c, is a clinical nutritionist specializing in metabolic health, hormonal balance, and gastrointestinal restoration through root-cause functional nutrition. She earned her master’s degree in Nutrition from Bastyr University and is currently a Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS) candidate. Alexa also works as a research writer and functional health consultant, translating complex science into actionable strategies for practitioners and wellness companies. Learn more at www.bloomedwellness.com.

References:

1. Dormal V, Jonniaux L, Buchet M, Simar L, Copine S, Deldicque L. Effect of Hydroponically Grown Red Panax Ginseng on Perceived Stress Level, Emotional Processing, and Cognitive Functions in Moderately Stressed Adults: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study. Nutrients. Mar 9 2025;17(6)doi:10.3390/nu17060955
2. Chu B, Marwaha K, Sanvictores T, Awosika AO, Ayers D. Physiology, Stress Reaction. StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing Copyright © 2025, StatPearls Publishing LLC.; 2025.

3. Iqbal H, Kim SK, Cha KM, Jeong MS, Ghosh P, Rhee DK. Korean Red Ginseng alleviates neuroinflammation and promotes cell survival in the intermittent heat stress-induced rat brain by suppressing oxidative stress via estrogen receptor beta and brain-derived neurotrophic factor upregulation. J Ginseng Res. Jul 2020;44(4):593-602. doi:10.1016/j.jgr.2019.05.007
4. Lee B, Shim I, Lee H, Hahm DH. Effect of ginsenoside Re on depression- and anxiety-like behaviors and cognition memory deficit induced by repeated immobilization in rats. J Microbiol Biotechnol. May 2012;22(5):708-20. doi:10.4014/jmb.1112.12046