Ginseng for Preventing Colds
Author Information
Author(s): Jennifer Krebs Seida, Tamara Durec, Stefan Kuhle
Primary Institution: University of Alberta
Hypothesis
Does ginseng reduce the incidence of common colds in healthy adults?
Conclusion
Ginseng appears to shorten the duration of colds but does not significantly reduce the incidence of colds.
Supporting Evidence
- Ginseng preparations significantly reduced the total number of common colds by 25% compared to placebo.
- Ginseng shortened the duration of colds or ARIs by an average of 6.2 days.
- Five trials involving 747 participants were included in the review.
Takeaway
Ginseng might help you get over a cold faster, but it doesn't really stop you from getting colds in the first place.
Methodology
The review included randomized controlled trials comparing ginseng to placebo in healthy adults.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to varying quality of studies and funding sources.
Limitations
The methodological quality of the included studies varied widely, and many trials reported combined data for ARIs rather than colds specifically.
Participant Demographics
Participants were primarily healthy adults, with some studies including elderly populations.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.04
Confidence Interval
95% CI: 5–45
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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