American Ginseng for Respiratory Wellness

Written by Danny, Founder & Herbalist, The People's Herbalist. Last updated July 2026.

Our respiratory system takes a hit every day, from pollution to seasonal changes to plain old stress. American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) is one of the herbs we get asked about most for this, so let's look at what it actually is, what the research says about lung and respiratory support, and how to use it responsibly.

Quick answer: American ginseng hasn't been shown to cure or treat lung disease, but a specific extract (CVT-E002) reduced the frequency and duration of upper respiratory symptoms in placebo-controlled trials, particularly during cold and flu season. It's best understood as immune and inflammatory support, not a stand-alone treatment for conditions like asthma or COPD.

What Is American Ginseng?

American ginseng is native to the hardwood forests of eastern North America, and it's been used in both Native American traditional medicine and, later, Traditional Chinese Medicine, where it's classified as a cooling, yin-nourishing tonic (as opposed to Asian/Panax ginseng, which is considered warming). It's a different species from Panax ginseng, and the two aren't interchangeable. They contain different ratios of the active compounds (ginsenosides) and can affect the body differently.

A quick but important note: American ginseng root takes years to mature, and wild populations are considered at-risk. We only recommend cultivated or woods-grown ginseng, and it should be used in moderation, not excessively.

What the Research Says About Respiratory Support

This is the part people care about most, so let's be specific instead of vague.

A specific American ginseng extract (CVT-E002, marketed as COLD-fX) has been the subject of several placebo-controlled trials looking at upper respiratory tract infections. In one randomized, double-blind trial of institutionalized older adults, the extract reduced the relative risk of respiratory symptoms during flu season (McElhaney et al., 2004, Journal of the American Geriatrics Society). A separate community-dwelling adult trial found a similar pattern of reduced symptom frequency and duration (McElhaney et al., 2006, Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine).

A broader review of the research, published through the National Institutes of Health's PubMed Central archive, summarizes ginseng's studied effects on respiratory infections: supporting antibody response, reducing pro-inflammatory markers in airway cells, and shortening the duration of upper respiratory symptoms in several trials.

Separately, preclinical research has looked at American ginseng's anti-inflammatory activity more broadly. Wang et al. (2018, American Journal of Physiology-Gastrointestinal and Liver Physiology) found it suppressed inflammation and DNA damage in a colitis model, evidence of anti-inflammatory action in the body generally, even though that specific study wasn't testing the lungs directly.

What this doesn't mean: American ginseng isn't a treatment for asthma, COPD, or any respiratory disease, and it shouldn't replace medical care for those conditions. What the research supports is a role in immune and inflammatory support that's relevant to overall respiratory resilience, especially around cold and flu season.

Ginseng, Stress, and Why That Matters for Breathing

American ginseng is classified as an adaptogen, meaning it's studied for helping the body regulate its stress response rather than doing one single job. Chronic stress affects breathing patterns and immune function, so an herb that supports the body's stress response can indirectly support respiratory resilience too. This is a more honest way to frame it than a direct "reduces stress" claim, since most of the large clinical trials on American ginseng have focused on respiratory and immune outcomes specifically, not stress biomarkers on their own.

How to Use American Ginseng

The most common ways to take American ginseng are as a tea, a tincture, or blended into a tonic with other supportive herbs. We use it as one of three adaptogens in our Breathe Tonic, alongside herbs chosen to support lung capacity, stamina, and how efficiently your body uses oxygen.

Here at The People's Herbalist we use American Ginseng as one of three powerful adaptogens in our Breathe Tonic, which was created to support respiratory health by increasing energy, stamina & endurance and improving our lung's use of oxygen.

The unique blend of adaptogens in Breathe nourishes and tonifies our respiratory system, and it's also great for stress and immune function associated with our bronchial tubes.

Try out our Breathe Tonic today.

If you're newer to herbalism and not sure where American ginseng fits into your routine relative to other adaptogens, take our Herbal Quiz and we'll point you toward what actually makes sense for what you're dealing with.

Precautions

• American ginseng can interact with blood thinners like warfarin, and may increase bleeding risk. Talk to your doctor if you're on anticoagulants.
• It may affect blood sugar, which matters if you're diabetic or on glucose-lowering medication.
• Avoid during pregnancy and while breastfeeding, since it hasn't been adequately studied for safety in those situations.
• Because of its slow maturation and at-risk wild status, only buy from suppliers who can confirm cultivated or woods-grown sourcing.

As always, talk to a healthcare professional or qualified herbalist before adding any new herb to your routine, especially if you have an existing condition or take medication.

Curious about other herbs for cold and flu season? Read our piece on nurturing respiratory resilience for a broader winter wellness approach.

Key Facts

• American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) is a different species from Asian/Panax ginseng, with a different ratio of active ginsenosides.
• A specific American ginseng extract, CVT-E002 (marketed as COLD-fX), reduced the relative risk of respiratory symptoms in a randomized, placebo-controlled trial of institutionalized older adults (McElhaney et al., 2004).
• A separate trial found reduced frequency and duration of upper respiratory symptoms in community-dwelling adults using the same extract (McElhaney et al., 2006).
• American ginseng is classified as an adaptogen, studied for helping the body regulate its stress response rather than treating one specific symptom.
• American ginseng root takes years to mature and wild populations are considered at-risk, so only cultivated or woods-grown ginseng should be purchased.
• American ginseng can interact with blood thinners like warfarin and may affect blood sugar levels.
• American ginseng is not a treatment for asthma, COPD, or other respiratory diseases and should not replace medical care for those conditions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is American ginseng the same as regular (Asian) ginseng?
No. American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) and Asian/Panax ginseng are different species with different ratios of active compounds. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, American ginseng is considered cooling and yin-nourishing, while Asian ginseng is considered warming.

Can American ginseng actually help with breathing or lung health?
Research on a specific American ginseng extract (CVT-E002) has shown reduced frequency and duration of upper respiratory symptoms in controlled trials, particularly during cold and flu season. It's studied for immune and respiratory support, not as a treatment for lung disease.

How do you take American ginseng?
Most commonly as a tea, tincture, or in a tonic blend with other supportive herbs. We use it in our Breathe Tonic alongside other adaptogens chosen for respiratory support.

Are there side effects or interactions with American ginseng?
Yes. It can interact with blood thinners like warfarin and may affect blood sugar levels. It isn't recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Always check with a healthcare provider first, especially if you're on medication.

Why is sourcing important for American ginseng specifically?
The root takes many years to mature and wild populations are considered at-risk. Buying only cultivated or woods-grown ginseng protects the plant and ensures you're getting a properly matured, higher-quality root.

Is American ginseng an adaptogen?
Yes. It's classified as an adaptogen, an herb studied for helping the body regulate its response to stress, which can indirectly support overall resilience, including respiratory resilience, though most large clinical trials on this herb focus specifically on immune and respiratory outcomes.

References: Wang, Y., Cho, C., Williams, S. J., & Smallwood, H. S. (2018). American Ginseng Suppresses Inflammation and DNA Damage Associated with Mouse Colitis. American Journal of Physiology-Gastrointestinal and Liver Physiology, 314(1), G34-G45. McElhaney, J.E., Gravenstein, S., Cole, S.K., et al. (2004). A Placebo-Controlled Trial of a Proprietary Extract of North American Ginseng (CVT-E002) to Prevent Acute Respiratory Illness in Institutionalized Older Adults. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 52, 13-9. McElhaney, J.E., Goel, V., Toane, B., et al. (2006). Efficacy of COLD-fX in the Prevention of Respiratory Symptoms in Community-Dwelling Adults: A Randomized, Double-Blinded, Placebo Controlled Trial. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 12, 153-7.