FRIDAY, June 22 (HealthScoutNews) -- Few of the world's herbs have a reputation quite as sterling as ginseng. Among other things, it's supposed to improve how you feel and increase your sexual pleasure. But new research now says ginseng doesn't boost your mood, at least if you're a healthy young adult.

"As a scientist, I don't see any real benefits to taking ginseng," said Brad Cardinal, a professor at Oregon State University and co-author of a study into ginseng. "I don't see any huge benefit, particularly for healthy and younger people."

But a representative of an herbal research organization said the study is a bit misplaced because ginseng isn't supposed to improve mood in the first place.

Ginseng, a Chinese herb, is used for a variety of purposes, from improving digestion to boosting energy. "It's suggested that it could be used when a person is considered to be off-balance," Cardinal said. "There have been claims that it enhances strength, power, cardio-respiratory endurance, general quality of life and physical well being."

A previous study linked ginseng to better memory among middle-age people, and some experts say it may help reduce blood sugar levels in diabetics.

In the new study, researchers divided 83 adults, all in their mid-20s, into three groups. One group received a 60-day supply of 200-milligram doses of ginseng, the level recommended by experts. Another group got twice that amount, while the third group received a placebo.

Through psychological tests, the moods of the subjects were tested both before and after the two-month period. The subjects did not have major mental health problems.

And none showed any sign of improved mood, Cardinal said. "We really couldn't see anything," he added.

He acknowledged, however, that it's hard to measure changes in someone's general well-being. "That's difficult to define and to capture," he said.

The findings are reported in the June issue of the Journal of the American Dietetic Association.

Cardinal said researchers still need to investigate whether ginseng helps older adults. But he won't be spending his money on ginseng-enhanced beverages.

"Having a little bit of ginseng here and there is fine, but if you're buying a cup of ginseng tea for $2.50, you're equally well-off throwing a couple of sugar cubes in your teacup. There's no difference," he said.

But an herbal expert was not so quick to discount ginseng. The study results aren't surprising, considering that ginseng is not a mood-enhancer, said Mindy Green, director of education for the non-profit Herb Research Foundation.

"I don't know why anybody would study ginseng for that," she added. "Ginseng relieves fatigue, improves physical and mental performance. That's different than uplifting mood."

Numerous studies support the use of ginseng, which normalizes how the body operates, she said. "It just brings an overall vitality boost."

　　From HealthScout.com