Sepsis is a prevalent critical illness observed in emergency intensive care unit (ICU), characterized by life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by infection-induced inflammatory immune disorders in the body. The suppression of immune function plays a crucial role in the development and progression of sepsis. Traditional Chinese medicine theory of "acute deficiency syndrome" in sepsis shares similarities with the concept of "immunosuppression". According to this theory, ginseng is frequently utilized in clinical treatment of sepsis due to its ability to invigorate vitality and strengthen the body, playing a crucial role in tonifying deficiency and improving the overall health of patients. This paper provides a detailed discussion of the pathophysiological mechanisms of sepsis immune dysfunction and its correlation with "acute deficiency syndrome" in traditional Chinese medicine. It summarizes the current state of modern pharmacological research on ginseng's impact on the body's immune function, discusses relevant research progress and shortcomings regarding ginseng's therapeutic effects on immunosuppression in sepsis, and proposes future research directions.