Red ginseng with herbal extract complex safe for menopausal symptoms

Daily intake of red ginseng and herbal extract complex (RHC) is safe for the management of menopausal pain, a new study has found.

Researchers conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of 120 women experiencing menopausal symptoms, who were given either RHC (n=60) or an equivalent placebo (n=60). RHC was given at 2-g doses daily for 12 weeks. The primary outcome of interest was safety, defined according to adverse reactions, hormonal changes, and uterine thickness. Haematological and blood chemistry analyses were also performed.

Six adverse reactions occurred in the RHC arm, including cases of gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal, connective tissue, nervous system, genital and breast, skin and subcutaneous, and vascular disorders. All these complications each had a prevalence rate of 1.67 percent.

In comparison, placebo participants saw nine adverse reactions, including genital, subcutaneous tissue, and vascular disorders (3.33 percent each), as well as microbial contamination, nervous system disorders, and renal and urinary disorders (1.67 percent each). The incidence of adverse reactions did not differ between arms (p=0.5695), and no severe events were detected in either group.

After 12 weeks, no significant between-group differences were observed in levels of the follicle stimulating and luteinizing hormones, as well as for endometrial thickness. In contrast, systolic blood pressure was significantly elevated in the RHC vs placebo group at week 12 (p=0.0136), though all changes were within the normal range.

“The intake of RHC as a traditional complementary and alternative therapy of menopausal syndrome at a daily dose of 2 g for 12 weeks was safe in menopausal women,” the researchers said, however noting that further research is needed to confirm such safety over longer periods of administration and in larger samples.