Ginseng for COPD: Does It Help?

observational-study PMID: 30940771

Quick Summary: A study looked at whether ginseng could help people with moderate COPD (a lung condition) feel better. The results showed that ginseng didn't improve their quality of life or lung function compared to a placebo (a sugar pill).

Does Ginseng Help COPD Symptoms?

This research aimed to see if taking ginseng could improve the symptoms of moderate COPD. Unfortunately, the study found no significant difference between people taking ginseng and those taking a placebo. Both groups experienced similar improvements in their overall health and well-being.

Study Details

Who was studied: 168 adults, aged 40 and over, with moderate COPD.

How long: The study lasted for 48 weeks (about a year).

What they took: Participants took either 100mg of ginseng extract capsules twice a day (200mg total) or a placebo (dummy pill) that looked the same.

What This Means For You

If you have moderate COPD, this study suggests that taking ginseng is unlikely to significantly improve your symptoms or quality of life. It's important to discuss your treatment options with your doctor. This study does not suggest that ginseng is a replacement for proven COPD treatments.

Study Limitations

The study might not have had enough participants to see small improvements.

The study combined data from different countries (Australia and China), which could have introduced some differences.

The study only looked at the effects of ginseng for 24 weeks, which might not have been long enough to see a difference.

Key Findings

The study found no statistically significant differences between ginseng extract and placebo for any primary endpoints measuring health-related quality of life in moderate COPD patients. Both groups showed overall improvement in St George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ), COPD Assessment Test (CAT), and Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) scores over the 48-week period, but changes were comparable between groups. Secondary outcomes—including lung function (FEV₁), exacerbation rates, and rescue medication use—also showed no significant between-group differences. Ginseng was reported as safe and well-tolerated with no adverse event disparities.

Study Design

This was a multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (RCT), misclassified in the source as observational. It enrolled 168 participants aged ≥40 years with moderate COPD (GOLD stage 2 airflow limitation) across five centres in Australia and China. Participants were randomised 1:1 to ginseng or placebo. The intervention lasted 24 weeks, followed by a 24-week observational follow-up (total 48 weeks). Baseline characteristics (age, sex, lung function, symptom scores) were balanced between groups.

Dosage & Administration

Participants received 100 mg ginseng extract capsules twice daily (total 200 mg/day) or identical placebo capsules for 24 weeks. Administration was oral, with capsules taken consistently per protocol. The specific ginseng species (e.g., Panax ginseng) and extract standardisation were not detailed in the provided summary.

Results & Efficacy

No primary endpoint reached statistical significance. SGRQ, CAT, and SF-36 scores improved from baseline in both groups (indicating better quality of life), but the magnitude of improvement did not differ significantly between ginseng and placebo (p-values not reported in summary; described as "no significant differences"). Similarly, FEV₁, exacerbation frequency, and rescue inhaler use showed parallel trends with no intergroup differences. Quantitative effect sizes and confidence intervals were not provided in the given summary.

Limitations

The sample size (n=84 per group) may have been underpowered to detect modest clinical effects. Combining Australian and Chinese sites introduced potential unmeasured heterogeneity in care practices or genetic factors. The 24-week treatment phase might be insufficient to observe effects on COPD progression. Lack of pharmacokinetic data limited dose-response analysis. The study did not assess ginseng's impact on severe exacerbations or mortality.

Clinical Relevance

This trial provides no evidence supporting ginseng supplementation for improving quality of life, symptoms, or lung function in moderate COPD. Patients should not expect clinical benefits for COPD management based on this regimen. However, the safety profile suggests ginseng may be used adjunctively without significant risk if patients choose to continue it, though it should not replace guideline-recommended therapies like bronchodilators. Future research would require larger samples, longer duration, or higher doses to confirm these null findings.