When it comes to attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), it’s understandable that many parents want to avoid medication. With that, some turn to natural solutions and wonder if you can use ginseng for ADHD.

So far, small clinical trials and a handful of animal studies suggest ginseng may have beneficial effects on ADHD symptoms, particularly inattention. However, researchers caution that larger, better-designed controlled studies are still needed before it can be considered a proven treatment.

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Key Highlights

• Limited but promising evidence – Small clinical trials suggest ginseng may improve attention, memory, and social functioning in children with ADHD symptoms, but researchers agree larger, controlled studies are needed before it can be considered a proven treatment.

• Two main types matter – American and Asian (Korean) ginseng both contain ginsenosides, the compounds believed responsible for their effects, though they differ in concentration and are distinct from Siberian ginseng, which isn’t a true ginseng at all.

• Safety comes with caveats – Ginseng is generally well-tolerated at studied doses (around 1000mg), but it can cause side effects like insomnia, headaches, or anxiety. Always consult a doctor before giving it to a child.

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Table of Contents

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What is Ginseng?

The term “ginseng” refers to the following:

• American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius)
• Asian and Korean ginseng (Panax ginseng)

Both ginseng types contain ginsenosides, a chemical compound believed to give ginseng is therapeutic properties. However, each type contains different amounts of ginsenosides. ¹

There’s also another type called Siberian ginseng, or Eleuthero (Eleutherococcus senticosus). While distantly related to ginseng, this is a unique plant with very different effects. ²

In ancient cultures, ginseng has been used as a stimulant to treat the following conditions: ³

• Fever
• Headaches
• Indigestion (i.e., upper abdomen pain)
• Infertility

Furthermore, modern culture sometimes refers to ginseng as an “adaptogen.” However, there’s no evidence to suggest it provides these benefits.

How Does Ginseng Affect the Body?

Most research concerns Asian ginseng (Panax ginseng) rather than American ginseng. According to this research, ginseng may be able to:

• Boost the immune system. ⁴
• Lower the risk of cancer. ⁵
• Improve mental cognition and well-being. ⁶

These medicinal properties are all thanks to gensenosides. In short, these steroid-like saponins affect multiple pathways within our bodies. ⁷ For this reason, and the fact that they’re low in bioavailability, they’re difficult to isolate.

Can You Use Ginseng for ADHD?

Since ginseng can improve mental cognition, some question whether or not you can use it for ADHD. However, the research we have is too inconclusive.

In a 2011 study, 18 children between the ages of 6 and 14 were given a 1000mg dose of ginseng daily for eight weeks. Evidently, it was reported that these children experienced less anxiety and improved in social functioning and personality. ⁸

More recently, a 2020 study observed the effects of omega-3 as well as Korean red ginseng in children between 6 to 12 years old. In short, these two ingredients appear to improve memory and attention in these children. ⁹

However, beyond this research, we don’t know the efficiency of ginseng and ADHD.

Still, other studies have confirmed it can improve cognitive performance. For example, a 2024 study reveals that ginseng helped relieve subjective memory impairment, early Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, and mild cognitive issues. ¹⁰

Ginseng Dosage Recommendation

Since there’s little research on ginseng for ADHD, it’s difficult for us to give you an exact dosage recommendation. All available products should come with a recommended serving. We advise you to go off this recommendation before trying more or less.

Here’s a general dosing chart based on existing research and clinical guidelines:

Group	Form	Suggested Daily Dose	Notes
Children (6-14)	Extract	Up to 1000mg	Based on the ADHD study referenced above; consult a doctor first
Teens/Adults	Capsules/Extracts	200-600mg	Most common range in clinical studies
Teens/Adults	Dry root	0.5-2g	Chewed or steeped as tea
Teens/Adults	Liquid extract	100-400mg	Highly concentrated; follow product label
Maximum (adults)	Any form	Up to 3000mg	Higher doses don’t add benefit and raise side effect risk

If you plan to give ginseng to your child, the supplement is generally safe in 1000mg, as shown in the above-mentioned study. However, you should consult your doctor before giving your child ginseng. Notably, in case of any negative drug interactions.

If you’re concerned about giving your child ginseng, you may want to try another herbal remedy for ADHD.

Ginseng Safety and Side Effects

While ginseng is praised for strengthening the body’s immune system, it still may present side effects. Conversely, these are rare. Still, you’ll want to keep your eye out for the following: ¹¹

• Anxiety
• Breast pain
• Diarrhea
• Euphoria
• Headache
• High blood pressure
• Nosebleed
• Restlessness
• Sleep disorders (i.e. insomnia)
• Vaginal bleeding
• Vomiting

Furthermore, it’s advised that people with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia avoid ginseng as it may increase the risk of mania.

Final Word

While ginseng may not be the most effective all-natural herb for ADHD, it holds potential. And this potential will likely be enhanced when you also add other beneficial supplements, such as gotu kola.

Still, ginseng holds the potential for adverse effects. Therefore, you should only take it if approved by your doctor.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

References

¹ Ratan ZA, Haidere MF, Hong YH, Park SH, Lee JO, Lee J, Cho JY. Pharmacological potential of ginseng and its major component ginsenosides. J Ginseng Res. 2021 Mar;45(2):199-210. doi: 10.1016/j.jgr.2020.02.004. Epub 2020 Mar 25. PMID: 33841000; PMCID: PMC8020288.

² Li XT, Zhou JC, Zhou Y, Ren YS, Huang YH, Wang SM, Tan L, Yang ZY, Ge YW. Pharmacological effects of Eleutherococcus senticosus on the neurological disorders. Phytother Res. 2022 Sep;36(9):3490-3504. doi: 10.1002/ptr.7555. Epub 2022 Jul 17. PMID: 35844057.

³ Potenza MA, Montagnani M, Santacroce L, Charitos IA, Bottalico L. Ancient herbal therapy: A brief history of Panax ginseng. J Ginseng Res. 2023 May;47(3):359-365. doi: 10.1016/j.jgr.2022.03.004. Epub 2022 Mar 23. PMID: 37252279; PMCID: PMC10214142.

⁴ Kang S, Min H. Ginseng, the ‘Immunity Boost’: The Effects of Panax ginseng on Immune System. J Ginseng Res. 2012 Oct;36(4):354-68. doi: 10.5142/jgr.2012.36.4.354. PMID: 23717137; PMCID: PMC3659612.

⁵ Jin X, Che DB, Zhang ZH, Yan HM, Jia ZY, Jia XB. Ginseng consumption and risk of cancer: A meta-analysis. J Ginseng Res. 2016 Jul;40(3):269-77. doi: 10.1016/j.jgr.2015.08.007. Epub 2015 Sep 2. PMID: 27616903; PMCID: PMC5005362.

⁶ Geng J, Dong J, Ni H, Lee MS, Wu T, Jiang K, Wang G, Zhou AL, Malouf R. Ginseng for cognition. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2010 Dec 8;(12):CD007769. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD007769.pub2. PMID: 21154383.

⁷ Kim JH, Yi YS, Kim MY, Cho JY. Role of ginsenosides, the main active components of Panax ginseng, in inflammatory responses and diseases. J Ginseng Res. 2017 Oct;41(4):435-443. doi: 10.1016/j.jgr.2016.08.004. Epub 2016 Aug 18. PMID: 29021688; PMCID: PMC5628327.

⁸ Lee SH, Park WS, Lim MH. Clinical effects of korean red ginseng on attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children: an observational study. J Ginseng Res. 2011 Jun;35(2):226-34. doi: 10.5142/jgr.2011.35.2.226. PMID: 23717065; PMCID: PMC3659525.

⁹ Lee J, Lee A, Kim JH, Shin YM, Kim SJ, Cho WD, Lee SI. Effect of Omega-3 and Korean Red Ginseng on Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: An Open-Label Pilot Study. Clin Psychopharmacol Neurosci. 2020 Feb 29;18(1):75-80. doi: 10.9758/cpn.2020.18.1.75. PMID: 31958908; PMCID: PMC7006981.

¹⁰ Lee R, Kim JH, Kim WW, Hwang SH, Choi SH, Kim JH, Cho IH, Kim M, Nah SY. Emerging evidence that ginseng components improve cognition in subjective memory impairment, mild cognitive impairment, and early Alzheimer’s disease dementia. J Ginseng Res. 2024 May;48(3):245-252. doi: 10.1016/j.jgr.2024.02.002. Epub 2024 Feb 17. PMID: 38707644; PMCID: PMC11068985.

¹¹ Paik DJ, Lee CH. Review of cases of patient risk associated with ginseng abuse and misuse. J Ginseng Res. 2015 Apr;39(2):89-93. doi: 10.1016/j.jgr.2014.11.005. Epub 2014 Dec 6. PMID: 26045681; PMCID: PMC4452531.