• Ginseng might help improve certain physical and mental functions.ginseng pills image by Roslen Mack from Fotolia.com
  
  Ginseng is an herbal supplement that purportedly helps improve a range of physical and mental functions. While there isn't scientific proof to back up all of these claims, studies have shown that the supplement does help improve some aspects of physical health. Like all supplements, ginseng is not a replacement for conventional medication, and if you have been prescribed other medicines, you should consult your doctor before taking it.
  
  

Anti-Aging

• Scientists have conducted studies on the effects of ginseng on aging. According to Melissa Schweikhart of Vanderbilt University, research was published in 1995 that suggested ginseng might slow the weakening of the immune system associated with old age. In 1994, a different study concluded that ginseng helped prolong the life of lab mice.
  
  

Reduced Stress

• Ginseng is classed as an "adaptogen," a substance that helps support the body's resistance to stress by restoring a balance to the body's chemical levels. The Herbal Information Center's website states that the herb contains saponin triterpenoid glycosides, which are also called "ginsenosides." These act like natural steroids and minimize corticosteroid production in the adrenal glands during times of stress.
  
  

Physical Stamina

• Studies have shown that ginseng can help improve people's physical stamina and quality of life. Research conducted in Sweden in 1994 demonstrated that the extract had more of an effect on participants' well being than a placebo. The extract can affect the nervous system, liver, lungs and circulatory system. According to online herb encyclopedia Ageless, ginseng can also help reduce fatigue.
  
  

Reproductive System

• Just as ginseng can enhance physical functioning, it can also improve sexual performance too. As well as raising energy and mental alertness, the herb's stress-reducing properties can also help solve the problem of impotence in men. According to the Herbal Information Center, ginseng can help women produce more estrogen, aiding fertility and reducing the symptoms of menopause.