Study designs of evaluations included in the review
Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) which were double-blind, placebo-controlled.
Specific interventions included in the review
Mono preparations of ginseng root extract: Panax quinquefolium extract (618 mg or 1235 mg once daily), Panax ginseng (100 mg of a 4% or 7% ginsenoside concentration twice daily, 150 mg twice daily, or 200, 300, or 400 mg daily), Elagen (400 mg once daily) or Eleutherococcus senticosus (standard 625 mg daily or ESML 3.4 ml once daily) for the intervention groups. The control groups received vitamins, Ginkgo biloba, neurotrophic amino-acids, placebo, and/or exercise regimens.
Participants included in the review
Adult participants (healthy volunteers, patients with type-II diabetes, and patients of the Herpes Association) ranging in age from 18 to 80 years.
Outcomes assessed in the review
Exercise end points (physical and chemical measurements), psychomotor performance and cognitive function endpoints, leucocyte counts, mood, vigour and fasting blood glucose levels, and frequency, severity and duration of herpes episodes.
How were decisions on the relevance of primary studies made?
The authors do not state how the papers were selected for the review, or how many of the authors performed the selection.