Panax Ginseng: The Korean Focused-Energy Root
Panax Ginseng, specifically Korean red ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer), is one of the most studied herbal medicines in the world. It is the focused-energy root in Stamina for Men®, the herb that brings a sharper, more immediate lift to the formula.
The Korean variety has been used as a tonic for vitality and male sexual function for over two thousand years, and is the variety with the deepest clinical research base.
Where Korean Ginseng Grows
Korean ginseng grows in the temperate, mountainous regions of the Korean peninsula. The Geumsan and Punggi regions in central Korea are the historical strongholds of cultivation, with farming traditions stretching back centuries.
The plant is slow-growing and demanding. A single root takes six years to mature to the grade used in traditional Korean preparations. Six-year-old roots are the gold standard in the herbal literature and the form used in most clinical research.
Ginseng cannot tolerate direct sunlight. Korean farmers grow it under distinctive black shade canopies that filter the light, mimicking the dappled forest floor where wild ginseng originally thrived. The shade structures are the visual signature of any Korean ginseng farm.
The variety used in Stamina for Men® is Korean Panax Ginseng, the reference standard for the herb.
Traditional Use
Ginseng has been used in Korean and Chinese herbal practice for more than two thousand years. The traditional categorisation in Korean medicine places it among the highest-grade tonic herbs, prized for restoring vitality and energy.
The traditional preparation matters. Fresh ginseng root, called susam, is steamed and then dried to produce red ginseng, called hongsam. This processing is not cosmetic. The steaming step changes the chemistry of the root, producing the ginsenoside profile that the clinical research consistently associates with the most active form of the herb.
Red ginseng is taken traditionally as a brewed tea, chewed as dried slices, taken as an extract, or, in the modern era, encapsulated.
What the Research Shows
Korean red ginseng is one of the most rigorously studied botanical medicines for male sexual function, with controlled human trials going back to the early 2000s.
A double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial published in The Journal of Urology studied 45 men with clinically diagnosed erectile dysfunction. Men taking Korean red ginseng scored significantly higher on the International Index of Erectile Function than men taking placebo. Hong et al., Journal of Urology, 2002.
An independent randomised controlled trial published in the Asian Journal of Andrology in 2007 reproduced the finding in a separate patient cohort. Men taking Korean red ginseng over twelve weeks reported significantly greater improvement than the placebo group. de Andrade et al., Asian Journal of Andrology, 2007.
A systematic review and meta-analysis published in Drugs examined the broader herbal evidence base for erectile dysfunction and concluded that Korean red ginseng has among the most consistent positive evidence of any botanical studied for this indication. Borrelli et al., Drugs, 2018.
The research is not a substitute for medical advice. What it does establish is a pattern: multiple controlled trials, independent research teams, and a meta-analysis pointing in the same direction on the outcomes that match the herb's traditional use.
Panax Ginseng's Role in Stamina for Men
Stamina for Men® is built on four herbs, each chosen for a specific job. Panax Ginseng's job is the focused-energy lift.
| Herb | Origin | Role in the formula |
|---|---|---|
| Maca | Peru | Baseline energy and vitality support |
| Panax Ginseng | Korea | Focused, more immediate energy lift |
| Damiana | Mexico | Calming, nerve-settling, traditional aphrodisiac |
| Ginkgo Biloba | China | Circulation support |
Where Maca provides the broad baseline, Panax Ginseng adds the sharper, more immediate edge. The two work together: Maca for sustained underlying support, Ginseng for the focused lift on top.
Ginseng is also the herb with the strongest clinical research base of the four. The 2002 Hong study and the 2007 de Andrade replication are among the most-cited herbal trials in the male sexual function literature.
Safety and Interactions
Panax Ginseng has a long traditional safety record and the modern toxicological literature confirms a favourable profile at typical doses. The clinical trials cited above used daily doses well above the amount in a sensible herbal formula taken only when needed.
A few practical notes:
- Ginseng may interact with blood-thinning medication such as warfarin. If you are on anticoagulants, speak to your doctor before taking ginseng.
- Ginseng may affect blood sugar. If you have diabetes or take medication that lowers blood sugar, speak to your doctor before adding it.
- Ginseng has a mild stimulating effect for some people. Avoid taking it close to bedtime if you are sensitive.
- Ginseng is not recommended during pregnancy without medical advice.
The amount of Panax Ginseng in Stamina for Men®, taken only when needed rather than daily, sits well within the traditional dose range.
The Other Three Herbs in Our Formula
- Maca: the Peruvian Andean foundation herb
- Damiana: the Mexican calming aphrodisiac
- Ginkgo Biloba: the Chinese circulation herb
See all four herbs and how they work together on the Ingredients overview page.
For Panax Ginseng in the Australian context and how men are actually using it, see our article Panax Ginseng for Men in Australia.
Frequently Asked Questions About Panax Ginseng
How long does Korean Red Ginseng take to work?
In the clinical trials, men reported noticeable changes from around week 8 of daily use at high doses. In the Stamina for Men® formula, where Ginseng sits alongside three other herbs and is taken only when needed, most men feel the combined effect of the formula within 30 to 40 minutes.
What is the difference between Korean Red Ginseng and other ginsengs?
Korean red ginseng is Panax ginseng grown in Korea, steamed and dried using a traditional process. American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) and Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcus, not a true ginseng) are different plants with different effects. The clinical evidence for male sexual function is strongest for Korean red ginseng specifically.
Does Panax Ginseng raise testosterone?
The Hong 2002 trial measured hormonal levels and found no significant change in testosterone in men taking Korean red ginseng versus placebo. The improvements men reported in erectile function were independent of testosterone levels. Panax Ginseng is not a testosterone booster.
Is Panax Ginseng a stimulant?
Panax Ginseng contains no caffeine. Some people experience a mild energising effect, which is why traditional practice avoids it close to bedtime. The effect is gentle, not the sharp lift of a true stimulant.
Can Panax Ginseng be taken every day?
Traditional Korean practice includes daily use, and the clinical trials cited above used daily dosing for 8 to 12 weeks without safety concerns. Stamina for Men® is formulated to be taken only when needed, not daily.
Is the Panax Ginseng in Stamina for Men from Korea?
Yes. The Panax Ginseng in our formula is Korean, the variety with the deepest traditional use and the strongest clinical research record.
Curious whether Stamina for Men® is right for you? The sample pack is free, you cover $4.50 shipping worldwide.
Last reviewed: 29 May 2026 by Greg Berryman, Founder of Stamina for Men®