What Is Ginseng?
Ginseng, especially Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma and Korean Red Ginseng (KRG), is a traditional herbal medicine known for its immune-boosting, anti-inflammatory, and energy-supporting properties. It has been widely used for fatigue, viral infections, and chronic immune conditions. Today, researchers are studying ginseng for its ability to relieve Long COVID symptoms, particularly fatigue, immune dysregulation, and brain inflammation.
Why Ginseng Might Help for Long COVID
- Reducing inflammation – Ginseng helps regulate immune cell activity and inflammatory pathways. This may help relieve symptoms driven by immune overactivation in Long COVID.
- Antiviral properties – Ginsenosides enhance the activity of innate and adaptive immune cells, aiding the body in clearing residual viral proteins or fragments that may persist in Long COVID.
- Targeting multiple Long COVID mechanisms – Its active components, especially ginsenosides, modulate key systems linked to Long COVID, including cytokine storms (overreactive immune response), inflammasome activation (inflammatory molecules), and immune exhaustion.
What the Research Says
Recent research suggests that ginseng—especially Panax ginseng and Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma—may help support recovery from Long COVID. Studies show it can boost energy, support immune balance, and reduce inflammation, with some reviews noting benefits for fatigue, brain fog, and mood. Ginseng’s natural compounds may also help calm overactive immune responses and support healthier vaccine responses. While more research is needed, ginseng is already being explored as a well-tolerated supplement for post-viral recovery.
Key Literature on Ginseng and Long COVID
Systematic Reviews and Theoretical Studies:
- This review focuses on the anti-fatigue effects of Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma in Long COVID. It outlines how ginseng’s active compounds—like ginsenosides and polysaccharides—can fight viruses, remodel the immune system, and improve mitochondrial function. The review highlights parallels with ME/CFS and provides evidence from both clinical and animal studies. Ginseng-based formulas are already being used in China for Long COVID treatment, especially for patients with persistent fatigue.
- This review discusses how Panax ginseng and its active compounds (ginsenosides, saponins, polysaccharides) can help suppress the cytokine storm associated with COVID-19. Ginseng was shown to modulate key inflammatory pathways, and increase anti-inflammatory cytokines. The authors suggest ginseng may serve as a safe additive treatment to reduce immune overactivation in COVID-19 and possibly Long COVID.
- This review explores ginseng as an adjuvant therapy for COVID-19. It highlights ginseng’s broad immunomodulatory effects, including enhancement of immune cells, and cytokine (inflammatory molecule) balance. Ginseng was shown to reduce inflammation, suppress cytokine storms, and potentially improve vaccine responses.
- This review explores how ginseng may help treat COVID-associated depression, fatigue, and cognitive dysfunction. It outlines how ginsenosides reduce cytokine storms, and suppress neuroinflammation, including inflammasome activation. Ginseng was also shown to modulate neurotransmitter, and protect neurons—making it a potential therapy for neuropsychiatric Long COVID symptoms.
- This review explains how Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma may help treat Long COVID fatigue by improving immune balance, antiviral defenses, hormone regulation, and energy production. It highlights similarities between Long COVID and ME/CFS, where ginseng is also beneficial.
- This review shows that ginseng suppresses inflammasome activation, a key factor in cytokine storms and chronic inflammation. It may reduce organ damage and immune dysfunction associated with severe and long COVID.
Clinical study:
- This clinical study (Yoon et al., 2023) followed 350 vaccinated adults and found that those taking Korean Red Ginseng had higher antibody levels for 12 weeks post-vaccination. This effect was stronger in adults over 50, suggesting that ginseng can boost and maintain immune response.
Final Thoughts
Ginseng is emerging as a promising natural therapy for Long COVID, particularly for persistent fatigue and post-viral exhaustion, inflammatory and immune-related symptoms, supporting recovery after vaccination or infection Current studies support its role in reducing inflammation, improving energy, and modulating immune function. Ginseng has a long safety record but may interact with certain medications, so it’s important to talk to a healthcare provider before use.