This is a summary from Wikipedia re research on ginseng, I've copied the annotations. Sounds like there is some potential benefit but that studies are ongoing:
"Ginsenosides, unique compounds of the Panax species, are under basic and clinical research to reveal their potential properties in humans.[6] Possibly an adaptogen,[7] ginseng remains under preliminary research for its potential properties or therapeutic effects, such as for respiratory illnesses,[8] quality of life,[9] influenza[8] or fatigue in cancer patients.[10] P. ginseng may affect cancer in animal models but this effect remains unclear.[11] One study in laboratory animals showed possible effects of ginseng or its ginsenoside components on the central nervous system and gonadal tissues[12][13] and another on penile erection.[14]
Ginseng is known to contain phytoestrogens[15][16][17] and may affect the pituitary gland to increase the secretion of gonadotropins.[citation needed] Other mice studies found effects on sperm production and the estrous cycle.[3]
3.^ a b c d e Chinese Medical Herbology and Pharmacology, by John K. Chen, Tina T. Chen
6.^ Qi LW, Wang CZ, Yuan CS (2011). "Ginsenosides from American ginseng: chemical and pharmacological diversity". Phytochemistry 72 (
: 689-99. doi:10.1016/j.phytochem.2011.02.012. PMID 21396670.
7.^ Davydov M, Krikorian AD. (October 2000). "Eleutherococcus senticosus (Rupr. & Maxim.) Maxim. (Araliaceae) as an adaptogen: a closer look". Journal of Ethnopharmacology 72 (3): 345–393. doi:10.1016/S0378-8741(00)00181-1. PMID 10996277.
8.^ a b McElhaney JE et al. (2004). "A placebo-controlled trial of a proprietary extract of North American Ginseng (CVT-E002) to prevent acute respiratory illness in institutionalized older adults". J Am Geriatr Soc 52 (1): 13–19. doi:10.1111/j.1532-5415.2004.52004.x. PMID 14687309.
9.^ Caso Marasco A, Vargas Ruiz R, Salas Villagomez A, Begona Infante C. (1996). "Double-blind study of a multivitamin complex supplemented with ginseng extract". Drugs Exp Clin Res. 22 (6): 323–329.
10.^ Barton, DL; Soori, GS; Bauer, BA; Sloan, JA; Johnson, PA; Figueras, C; Duane, S; Mattar, B et al. (2010). "Pilot study of Panax quinquefolius (American ginseng) to improve cancer-related fatigue: a randomized, double-blind, dose-finding evaluation: NCCTG trial N03CA.". Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer 18 (2): 179–87. doi:10.1007/s00520-009-0642-2. PMID 19415341
11.^ Shin HR, Kim JY, Yun TK, Morgan G, Vainio H (2000). "The cancer-preventive potential of Panax ginseng: a review of human and experimental evidence". Cancer Causes Control 11 (6): 565–576. doi:10.1023/A:. PMID 10880039.
12.^ Hong B; Ji YH; Hong JH; Nam KY; Ahn TY A double-blind crossover study evaluating the efficacy of korean red ginseng in patients with erectile dysfunction: a preliminary report. J Urol. 2002; 168(5):2070-3 (ISSN: )Department of Urology, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Korea
13.^ Murphy and Lee Ginseng, sex behavior, and nitric oxide, Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2002 May;962:372-7 PMID
14.^ de Andrade E; de Mesquita AA; Claro Jde A; de Andrade PM; Ortiz V; Paranhos M; Srougi M Study of the efficacy of Korean Red Ginseng in the treatment of erectile dysfunction. Sector of Sexual Medicine, Division of Urological Clinic of São Paulo University, São Paulo, Brazil.
15.^ Lee, YJ; Jin, YR; Lim, WC; Park, WK; Cho, JY; Jang, S; Lee, SK (2003). "Ginsenoside-Rb1 acts as a weak phytoestrogen in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells". Archives of pharmacal research 26 (1): 58–63. doi:10.1007/BF03179933. PMID 12568360.
16.^ "Estrogen-like activity of ginsenoside Rg1 derived from Panax notoginseng". The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism 87 (
: 3691–5. 2002. doi:10.1210/jc.87.8.3691. PMID 12161497.
17.^ "A ginsenoside-Rh1, a component of ginseng saponin, activates estrogen receptor in human breast carcinoma MCF-7 cells". The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 84 (4): 463–8. 2003. doi:10.1016/S0960-0760(03)00067-0. PMID 12732291.
