Can Panax ginseng increase testosterone levels and help with erectile dysfunction?

Preliminary evidence suggests that supplementation with Panax ginseng may not significantly increase testosterone levels in athletes, although the quality of the study providing this evidence is questionable.^[1] However, Panax ginseng supplementation may be effective in cases where testosterone levels are suppressed during periods of infertility and hypogonadism (low testosterone production).^[2]

In men with erectile dysfunction, Panax ginseng does not appear to affect testosterone levels.^[3][4] Nevertheless, some studies have shown promising results regarding its efficacy in improving erectile function. One study found that a dosage of 1,000 mg of red Korean ginseng three times daily improved symptoms of mild to moderate erectile dysfunction compared to a placebo over a period of 3 months.^[4] Another study noted a significant improvement in erectile function with 1,000 mg of Panax ginseng supplemented twice daily over 8 weeks, although the study suffered from a large dropout rate.^[5] It can be concluded that Korean red ginseng holds promise as a potential treatment for erectile dysfunction, but further rigorous testing is needed to establish its efficacy and safety.