INGREDIENT SPOTLIGHT

ginseng/Rén Shēn 人參

Panax ginseng — the principal Qi-tonifying herb of the Chinese pharmacopeia,
classified in the Upper Class (上品) of the earliest Han Dynasty herbal.

FORMULA ROLE

Why LunarSip uses it.

Ginseng is the anchor ingredient in LunarSip’s Ginseng Eight Treasure Tea. It gives the formula its classic energizing direction while staying within a balanced 8-herb structure. LunarSip pairs ginseng with cistanche, polygonatum, maca, goji, red date, mulberry, and Chinese raspberry so the tea supports daily vitality without depending on caffeine. The result is a traditional-style formula designed for consistency, not a quick spike.

HOW IT'S USED

Two traditions, one root.

In Chinese herbal practices, ginseng is the principal Qi-tonifying herb — described in the classics as "tonifying the original qi" (大補元氣). The earliest Chinese pharmacopeia, Shennong Ben Cao Jing (~200 CE), classified it in the Upper Class (上品) — herbs considered safe for long-term, daily use. It is traditionally used to restore the five viscera, calm the spirit (安精神), and replenish vital essence after exhaustion, illness, or prolonged stress.

In Western herbal traditions, Panax ginseng is classified as an adaptogen — a botanical thought to help the body adapt to physical, mental, and environmental stress. Its primary bioactive compounds are ginsenosides (steroidal saponins, including protopanaxadiols and protopanaxatriols), studied for their roles in energy metabolism, antioxidant defense, immune modulation, and cognitive function.

THE EVIDENCE

What the research says.

Backed byover 11,000 peer-reviewed studies on PubMed, modern science is examining the traditional uses of ginseng across multiple body systems.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW · META-ANALYSIS

Clinical and Preclinical Systematic Review of Panax ginseng and Its Compounds for Fatigue

Frontiers in Pharmacology · 2020

This systematic review pooled8 randomized clinical trials and 30 animal studies. Research suggests Panax ginseng was superior to placebo on fatigue scales and heart-rate recovery, with adverse-event rates comparable to placebo. Authors attribute effects to regulation of energy metabolism and antioxidant activity.

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RCT · DOUBLE-BLIND

Cognition enhancing effect of Panax ginseng in Korean volunteers with mild cognitive impairment

Translational and Clinical Pharmacology · 2019

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of90 Korean adultswith mild cognitive impairment found that 3 g/day of Panax ginseng for six months produced statistically significant improvements on the Rey Complex Figure Test versus placebo. No serious adverse events were reported.

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PHARMACOLOGY REVIEW

Pharmacological potential of ginseng and its major component ginsenosides

Journal of Ginseng Research · 2021

This review surveysginsenosides— the steroidal saponins that drive most of ginseng's bioactivity. Research suggests roles in antioxidative defense, immune modulation, cardiovascular wellness, glucose metabolism, and neurological function. Authors call for higher-quality clinical trials.

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PHARMACOLOGICAL UPDATE

Immunomodulatory, Anti-Inflammatory, and Anti-Cancer Properties of Ginseng

Molecules · 2023

A 2023 pharmacological update reviews evidence on isolated ginseng compounds —ginsenosides and polysaccharidesfrom roots, leaves, and berries — and their immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory mechanisms in preclinical and laboratory studies.

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