Red ginseng for treating erectile dysfunction: a systematic review

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Red ginseng for treating erectile dysfunction: a systematic review

Jang et al., 2008 | Br J Clin Pharmacol | Meta Analysis

Citation

Jang Dai-Ja, Lee Myeong Soo, ... Ernst Edzard. Red ginseng for treating erectile dysfunction: a systematic review. Br J Clin Pharmacol. 2008-Oct;66(4):444-50. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2125.2008.03236.x

Abstract

AIMS: Korean red ginseng (unskinned Panax ginseng before it is steamed or otherwise heated and subsequently dried) is one of the most widely used herbal remedies. This systematic review evaluates the current evidence for the effectiveness of red ginseng for treating erectile dysfunction. METHODS: Systematic searches were conducted on 20 electronic databases without language restrictions. Hand-searches included conference proceedings and our files. All randomized clinical studies (RCT) of red ginseng as a treatment of erectile dysfunction were considered for inclusion. Methodological quality was assessed using the Jadad score. RESULTS: Seven RCTs met all the inclusion criteria. Their methodological quality was low on average. Six of the included RCTs compared the therapeutic efficacy of red ginseng with placebo. The meta-analysis of these data showed a significant effect (n = 349, risk ratio, 2.40; 95% CI of 1.65, 3.51, p < 0.00001, heterogeneity: tau(2) = 0.05, chi(2) = 6.42, p = 0.27, I(2) = 22%). Subgroup analyses also showed beneficial effects of red ginseng in psychogenic erectile dysfunction (n = 135, risk ratio, 2.05; 95% CI of 1.33, 3.16, p = 0.001, heterogeneity: chi(2) = 0.08, p = 0.96, I(2) = 0%). CONCLUSIONS: Collectively these RCTs provide suggestive evidence for the effectiveness of red ginseng in the treatment of erectile dysfunction. However, the total number of RCTs included in the analysis, the total sample size and the methodological quality of the primary studies were too low to draw definitive conclusions. Thus more rigorous studies are necessary.

Key Findings

Seven RCTs met all the inclusion criteria. Their methodological quality was low on average. Six of the included RCTs compared the therapeutic efficacy of red ginseng with placebo. The meta-analysis of these data showed a significant effect (n = 349, risk ratio, 2.40; 95% CI of 1.65, 3.51, p < 0.00001, heterogeneity: tau(2) = 0.05, chi(2) = 6.42, p = 0.27, I(2) = 22%). Subgroup analyses also showed beneficial effects of red ginseng in psychogenic erectile dysfunction (n = 135, risk ratio, 2.05; 9

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size 349
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Blood Flow Velocity
  • Complementary Therapies
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Erectile Dysfunction
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Panax
  • Penile Erection
  • Phytotherapy
  • Plant Extracts
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Treatment Outcome

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Meta-Analysis, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Systematic Review
  • Vertical: ginseng

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09