Effects of Two Rg3-Enriched Korean Ginseng Preparations on Blood Pressure in Adults with Early-Stage Hypertension: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial.
Twelve-week supplementation with either Rg3-enriched Korean ginseng preparation significantly reduced blood pressure compared with placebo, suggesting potential benefits for blood pressure management in adults with early-stage hypertension.
Key Findings
Results
Both Rg3-enriched ginseng preparations reduced systolic blood pressure over 12 weeks, while SBP rose in the placebo group.
SBP decreased by 7.27 ± 6.15 mmHg in the vitamin C-treated white ginseng (VTWG) group and 9.86 ± 6.47 mmHg in the enzyme-treated red ginseng (ETRG) group.
SBP increased by 5.03 ± 6.52 mmHg in the placebo group.
Both ginseng groups differed from placebo with adjusted p < 0.0001.
The trial was a 12-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study with 90 adults (n = 30 per group).
Results
Both Rg3-enriched ginseng preparations reduced diastolic blood pressure more than placebo.
DBP decreased by 5.27 ± 5.58 mmHg in the VTWG group and 6.32 ± 5.55 mmHg in the ETRG group.
DBP decreased by 0.90 ± 6.31 mmHg in the placebo group.
Adjusted p = 0.006 for VTWG vs. placebo and p = 0.0006 for ETRG vs. placebo.
Results
Mean arterial pressure (MAP) decreased significantly in both ginseng groups relative to placebo.
Both adjusted p < 0.0001 versus placebo.
Results
Nitric oxide (NO) changes differed significantly from placebo only for the ETRG group.
The ETRG vs. placebo difference had an adjusted p = 0.017.
The VTWG group did not differ significantly from placebo in NO change.
Results
No clinically meaningful safety concerns were identified during the 12-week supplementation.
Safety was assessed in adults with early-stage hypertension receiving approximately 40 mg/day of Rg3 for 12 weeks.
Methods
The two interventions were differently processed ginseng products standardized to provide the same Rg3 dose.
VTWG was vitamin C-treated white ginseng and ETRG was enzyme-treated red ginseng.
Both provided approximately 40 mg/day of Rg3.
Primary outcomes were changes in SBP and DBP.
What This Means
This study tested whether Korean ginseng products enriched in a compound called ginsenoside Rg3 could lower blood pressure in adults with early-stage high blood pressure. Ninety adults were randomly assigned to take one of two Rg3-enriched ginseng preparations (a vitamin C-treated white ginseng or an enzyme-treated red ginseng) or a placebo for 12 weeks. Neither participants nor researchers knew who got which product. Both ginseng products provided about 40 mg of Rg3 per day.
After 12 weeks, both ginseng groups had lower blood pressure than the placebo group. Systolic pressure (the top number) fell by about 7 mmHg with the white ginseng and about 10 mmHg with the red ginseng, while it rose by about 5 mmHg with placebo. Diastolic pressure (the bottom number) fell by about 5 to 6 mmHg with ginseng versus about 1 mmHg with placebo. Nitric oxide, a molecule that helps blood vessels relax, changed significantly only in the enzyme-treated red ginseng group. No clinically meaningful safety concerns were found.
This research suggests that Rg3-enriched ginseng may help with blood pressure management in people with early-stage hypertension. However, the study was small (30 per group) and lasted only 12 weeks, so longer and larger studies would be needed to confirm the results. This is not medical advice, and people with high blood pressure should discuss any supplement with a healthcare provider.
Oh J, Cheong Y, Lim S, Lee S, Kim J, Jang H, et al.. (2026). Effects of Two Rg3-Enriched Korean Ginseng Preparations on Blood Pressure in Adults with Early-Stage Hypertension: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial.. Nutrients. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu18203448