Exploring ginseng's potential role as an adjuvant therapy in COVID-19

Ginseng is a plant from the Panax genus used since ancient times as a prominent component of traditional Chinese medicine, and is prized for its energizing, antiaging and antioxidant properties. Over time, the scientific community has taken a keen interest in ginseng's potential as a supplement in various health sectors. While there is a substantial body of data demonstrating the effectiveness of ginseng and other natural products as adjuncts in the treatment of respiratory diseases, the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic has amplified the attention on ginseng and its extracts as potential antiviral and antibacterial agents. This review aims to summarize the potential benefits of ginseng in the prevention of COVID-19, the alleviation of symptoms and the enhancement of clinical outcomes for patients. It suggests incorporating ginseng and other natural compounds into complementary therapeutic regimens to augment the effectiveness of vaccines and pharmacological treatments. However, it's important to note that further experiments and clinical studies are necessary to solidify the efficacy of ginseng against COVID-19 and to establish its use as a viable option.