Preventive Effect of Korean Red Ginseng for Acute Respiratory Illness: A Randomized and Double-Blind Clinical Trial

Lee, Chang-Seop; Lee, Ju-Hyung; Oh, Mira; Choi, Kyung-Min; Jeong, Mi Ran; Park, Jong-Dae; Kwon, Dae Young; Ha, Ki-Chan; Park, Eun-Ock; Lee, Nuri; Kim, Sun-Young; Choi, Eun-Kyung; Kim, Min-Gul; Chae, Soo-Wan

There was no statistical difference between the two groups for adverse events and specific severe adverse events were not observed during the study period (P = 0.378) ( Table 4 ). The laboratory findings for safety, which included hematology, biochemistry, and urinalysis, was not statistical difference between the two groups (Table 5 ). Supplementary medications, particulary NSAIDs, were used by 10.2% (5/49) and 16.3% (8/49) of the subjects in the KRG and placebo groups, respectively (P = 0.372). Antibiotics (placebo vs KRG, 18.4% vs 6.1%, P = 0.064), and anti-histamine (placebo vs KRG, 12.2% vs 4.1%, P = 0.004) were used for colds and flu respectively. The differences in the inci- dence of NSAIDs usage between the two groups were not found to be statistically significant. The incidence of antibiotics usage was marginally more common in the placebo than in the KRG group. Anti-histamine usage was significantly more common in the placebo than in the KRG group.