Abstract
Background: Standardized ginseng extract has become the best-selling cold and flu remedy in Canada, yet much controversy regarding the efficacy of ginseng in preventing common colds remains. Objective: To assess the efficacy of ginseng preparations for the prevention of common colds in healthy adults. Methods: Comprehensive bibliographic database, trial registry and grey literature searches were conducted up to December 2007. Randomized controlled trials or controlled clinical trials comparing North American (Panax quinquefolius) or Asian ginseng (Panax ginseng) root extract to placebo or no treatment in healthy adults were included. Two reviewers independently applied the study selection criteria and assessed methodological quality. Results: Five trials involving 747 participants were included. All five trials examined North American ginseng. The methodological quality of the trials varied widely. Ginseng preparations significantly reduced the total number of common colds by 25% compared to placebo (one trial; 95% CI: 5–45). There was a tendency toward a lower incidence of having at least one common cold or other acute respiratory infection (ARI) in the ginseng group compared to the placebo group (five trials; relative risk: 0.70; 95% CI: 0.48–1.02). Compared to placebo, ginseng significantly shortened the duration of colds or ARIs by 6.2 days (two trials; 95% CI: 3.4–9.0). Conclusions: There is insufficient evidence to conclude that ginseng reduces the incidence or severity of common colds. North American ginseng appears to be effective in shortening the duration of colds or ARIs in healthy adults when taken preventatively for durations of 8–16 weeks.
Highlights
Common colds are mild upper respiratory tract infections that are characterized by coughing, nasal stuffiness and discharge, sneezing and sore throat
The purpose of this review is to describe and assess the evidence on the efficacy of COLD-fX and other North American or Asian ginseng root extracts in reducing the number, severity and duration of common colds and cold symptoms in healthy adults
COLD-fX was demonstrated to be potentially effective for the prevention of acute respiratory infection (ARI), as well as safe and well tolerated
Summary
Common colds are mild upper respiratory tract infections that are characterized by coughing, nasal stuffiness and discharge, sneezing and sore throat. Common colds are one of the most frequent conditions for which natural health products are used [2] One such alternative remedy that has gained much popularity in Canada during recent years is COLD-fX, a proprietary natural supplement isolated from North American ginseng root (Panax quinquefolius). This ginseng preparation is heralded as the “uncontested Canadian leader in the prevention of colds” and has gained widespread use, such that it ranks as the country’s best-selling cold and flu remedy [3]. There was a tendency toward a lower incidence of having at least one common cold or other acute respiratory infection (ARI) in the ginseng group compared to the placebo group (five trials; relative risk: 0.70; 95% CI: 0.48–1.02). North American ginseng appears to be effective in shortening the duration of colds or ARIs in healthy adults when taken preventatively for durations of 8–16 weeks
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