EFFECT OF A STANDARDIZED GINSENG EXTRACT ON GENERAL HEALTH, REACTIVE CAPACITY AND PULMONARY FUNCTION

The purpose of this double-blind study was to study the standardized ginseng-extract (marketed form, GINSANA), in regard to its efficacy on the reaction time, pulmonary function and general health in subjects of various age-groups. The trial was conducted as a double-blind study in a total of 120 subjectsm allocated to different groups, according to age (30 to 39 and 40 to 60 year age-groups), sex and preparation administered (ginseng/placebo). The study lasted 12 weeks and the dosage was fixed at 2 capsules per day. The rusults regarding reaction time and pulmonary function showed significant differences in favour of the GINSANA group, over the placebo group, in the 40 to 60-year-old men and women. In the self-evaluation (performance, mood, concentration) we observed a clear improvement (p < 0.001) in the subjects treated with GINSANA, with the exception of the men age 30-39 years. The results botained, which are specially related to reaction, pulmonary function, self evaluation and tolerability, have shown that GINSANA, as standardized ginseng extract, has a favourable effect on the psychic and physical functions studied. 3. Performance test in top sportsmen before and after 9 weeks' treatment with GINSANA To what extent can GINSANA influence physical performance? It is precisely we the physicians whose task it is to find drugs which in physiological amounts do not have any special pharmacodynamic effects. We were therefore interested in the preparation, GINSANA which was made available to us, since it contains a qualitatively and quantitatively standardized GINSENG EXTRACT and is not doping agent.