The effects of Chinese Yam

This study explored whether Panax ginseng, a traditional herbal medicine, could be safely and effectively studied as a supportive therapy for people with moderate to severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

In this small pilot trial, adults with stable COPD took either a standardized Panax ginseng extract (200 mg twice daily) or a placebo for four weeks, followed by a short observation period. Researchers tracked breathing function, exercise capacity, symptom severity, quality of life, medication use, and safety.

Because the study was short and included only a small number of participants, no major differences were seen between the ginseng and placebo groups in lung function, symptom scores, or quality-of-life questionnaires. Importantly, Panax ginseng was well tolerated, with no serious side effects reported, and participants were able to follow the dosing schedule without difficulty.

The main purpose of this study was not to prove effectiveness, but to confirm that the study design, dosing, safety monitoring, and outcome measurements were appropriate. The results showed that conducting a larger, longer clinical trial is feasible and justified.