PANAX GINSENG: Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions, Dosing and Reviews (2024)

Overview

Panax ginseng, also known as Korean ginseng, is an herb that has been used for various health purposes. It should not be confused with other forms of ginseng.

Panax ginseng is a plant that grows in Korea, China, and Siberia. It's considered an adaptogen, which are natural substances that are believed to stimulate the body's resistance to stressors. Panax ginseng contains many active chemicals. The most important are called ginsenosides or panaxosides.

Panax ginseng is taken by mouth for memory and thinking skills, Alzheimer disease, depression, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support many of these uses.

Don't confuse Panax ginseng with other plants sometimes referred to as ginseng like American ginseng, Blue Cohosh, Canaigre, Codonopsis, Eleuthero, or Panax Notoginseng. These are different plants with different effects.

Uses & Effectiveness ?

Possibly Effective for

  • Memory and thinking skills (cognitive function). Taking Panax ginseng by mouth might improve thinking, arithmetic skills, and reaction times in healthy, middle-aged people but not in young adults. Taking panax ginseng alone doesn't seem to help memory, but taking it with ginkgo leaf extract seems to improve memory in healthy people between the ages of 38 and 66.
  • Erectile dysfunction (ED). Taking Panax ginseng by mouth seems to improve sexual function in adults with ED.
  • Flu (influenza). Taking a specific Panax ginseng extract by mouth appears to reduce the risk of getting a cold or the flu. But it doesn't seem to reduce flu symptoms or the length of the illness.
  • Fatigue in people with multiple sclerosis (MS). Taking Panax ginseng by mouth daily for 3 months reduces feelings of tiredness and improves quality of life in females with MS.
  • Increasing response to sexual stimuli in healthy people. Taking Panax ginseng alone or with other ingredients by mouth seems to improve sexual arousal and satisfaction in postmenopausal adults. It also seems to improve sexual desire in females who report sexual problems.

Possibly Ineffective for

  • Athletic performance. Taking Panax ginseng by mouth for up to 8 weeks doesn't improve athletic performance.

There is interest in using panax ginseng for a number of other purposes, but there isn't enough reliable information to say whether it might be helpful.

Side Effects

When taken by mouth: Panax ginseng is likely safe when taken for up to 6 months. Panax ginseng is possibly unsafe when taken for more than 6 months. It might have some hormone-like effects that could be harmful when used long-term. The most common side effect is trouble sleeping. Uncommon side effects that have been reported include severe rash, liver damage, and severe allergic reactions.

When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information to know if Panax ginseng is safe. It might cause side effects such as irritation and burning.

Special Precautions and Warnings

When taken by mouth: Panax ginseng is likely safe when taken for up to 6 months. Panax ginseng is possibly unsafe when taken for more than 6 months. It might have some hormone-like effects that could be harmful when used long-term. The most common side effect is trouble sleeping. Uncommon side effects that have been reported include severe rash, liver damage, and severe allergic reactions.

When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information to know if Panax ginseng is safe. It might cause side effects such as irritation and burning. Pregnancy: Panax ginseng is possibly unsafe when taken by mouth during pregnancy. One of the chemicals in Panax ginseng has been found to cause birth defects in animals. Do not use Panax ginseng if you are pregnant.

Breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if Panax ginseng is safe to use when breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Children: Panax ginseng is likely unsafe in infants and children. Panax ginseng has been linked to fatal poisoning in newborns. It's not clear if it's safe in older children. Until more is known, do not use Panax ginseng in children.

"Auto-immune diseases" such as multiple sclerosis (MS), lupus (systemic lupus erythematosus, SLE), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), or other conditions: Panax ginseng seems to increase the activity of the immune system. It might make auto-immune diseases worse. Don't use Panax ginseng if you have any auto-immune condition.

Bleeding conditions: Panax ginseng seems to interfere with blood clotting. Don't use Panax ginseng if you have a bleeding condition.

Heart conditions: Panax ginseng can affect heart rhythm and blood pressure slightly on the first day it is used. Use Panax ginseng with caution if you have heart disease.

Hormone-sensitive conditions such as breast cancer, uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, endometriosis, or uterine fibroids: Panax ginseng contains chemicals (ginsenosides) that can act like estrogen. If you have any condition that might be made worse by exposure to estrogen, don't use Panax ginseng.

Trouble sleeping (insomnia): High doses of Panax ginseng have been linked with insomnia. If you have trouble sleeping, use Panax ginseng with caution.

Suppressed immune system: Panax ginseng might make the immune system more active. This could interfere with the effects of medications that suppress the immune system, such as those given after an organ transplant. If your immune system is suppressed, don't use Panax ginseng.

Schizophrenia: High doses of Panax ginseng have been linked with sleep problems and agitation in people with schizophrenia. Be careful when using Panax ginseng if you have schizophrenia.

Dosing

Panax ginseng has most often been used by adults in doses of 200 mg to 3 grams by mouth daily for up to 12 weeks. Speak with a healthcare provider to find out what dose might be best for a specific condition.

CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.

This copyrighted material is provided by Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Consumer Version. Information from this source is evidence-based and objective, and without commercial influence. For professional medical information on natural medicines, see Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Professional Version.
© Therapeutic Research Faculty 2020.

PANAX GINSENG: Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions, Dosing and Reviews (2024)

FAQs

What medications should not be taken with ginseng? ›

If you are being treated with any of the following medications, you should not use ginseng without talking to your doctor:
  • Medications for diabetes. ...
  • Blood-thinning medications (anticoagulants). ...
  • MAOIs (monoamine oxidase inhibitors). ...
  • Antipsychotic medications. ...
  • Stimulants. ...
  • Morphine.

What is Panax ginseng side effects? ›

Trouble sleeping is the most common side effect. Less common effects include headache, agitation, upset stomach, menstrual problems (such as unusual vaginal bleeding), breast pain, and dizziness. An increase or decrease in blood pressure may also occur.

How much Panax ginseng per day is safe? ›

Ginseng Dosage

Most research studies suggest daily doses of 200 milligrams of Panax ginseng extract or 0.5-2 grams of dry root. When given as a capsule, dosages of ginseng usually range from 100-600 milligrams a day.

Who should not eat ginseng? ›

People with bipolar disorder should not take ginseng because it may increase the risk of mania. People with an autoimmune disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or Crohn disease, should ask their doctors before taking Asian ginseng. Theoretically, Asian ginseng may boost an already overactive immune system.

Why can't you take ginseng everyday? ›

Panax ginseng is possibly unsafe when taken for more than 6 months. It might have some hormone-like effects that could be harmful when used long-term. The most common side effect is trouble sleeping. Uncommon side effects that have been reported include severe rash, liver damage, and severe allergic reactions.

Can I take ginseng with high blood pressure medicine? ›

It also may raise or lower blood pressure. Ginseng is best avoided by patients with high or low blood pressure concerns.

When should I take Panax ginseng morning or night? ›

Since ginseng may cause trouble sleeping, do not take it near bedtime. Ginseng should not be used for long periods.

Does Panax ginseng raise blood pressure? ›

While ginseng can elevate blood pressure, this generally occurs with low blood pressure, which helps restore blood pressure to normal; ginseng also lowers high blood pressure [31]. Biochemical and pharmacological activities of ginseng related to blood pressure control are being clarified with continued research.

How long does it take for ginseng to kick in? ›

Ginseng doesn't need to build up in your body for you to feel its effect. It could take as little as 24 hours or up to 48 hours to notice a difference in how you're feeling. How rapidly you feel the effects will depend on what type of ginseng and what form you're taking, along with how high of a dose you're on.

What is the best form of ginseng to take? ›

Overall, daily doses of 1–2 g of raw ginseng root or 200–400 mg of extract are suggested. It's best to start with lower doses and increase over time. Look for a standard ginseng extract that contains 2–3% total ginsenosides, and consume it before meals to increase absorption and get the full benefits.

What does Panax ginseng do for a man? ›

Both American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius, L.) and Asian ginseng (P. Ginseng) may boost energy, lower blood sugar and cholesterol levels, reduce stress, promote relaxation, treat diabetes, and manage sexual dysfunction in men.

Is Panax ginseng good for kidneys? ›

Du et al. suggested that Panax ginseng C.A.Mey. administration could protect kidney function via enhancing SIRT1 and suppressing inflammation in diabetic nephropathy rats (Du et al., 2016). In light of the above, ginsenosides were suggested as an important option during the treatment of renal fibrosis.

What drugs interact with ginseng? ›

What may interact with this medication?
  • Digoxin.
  • Diuretics like bumetanide, furosemide, torsemide.
  • MAOIs like Carbex, Eldepryl, Marplan, Nardil, and Parnate.
  • Medications for high blood pressure or heart problems like diltiazem, nifedipine, verapamil.
  • Warfarin.

Is ginseng hard on liver? ›

Ginseng has not been implicated in causing liver injury although it may have the potential of causing significant herb-drug interactions that can lead to liver injury.

Is ginseng banned by the FDA? ›

There is no substantial evidence that ginseng is effective for treating any medical condition and it has not been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat or prevent a disease or to provide a health benefit.

Does ginseng affect the heart? ›

Ginsenosides are the main bioactive ingredients in the extracts of Panax ginseng. They improved myocardial blood supply and pumping action of the heart by significantly increasing myocardial contractility, myocardial vasodilatation, and the myocardial blood flow (Chang et al., 2020).

Does ginseng affect your kidneys? ›

Intriguing new data suggest that Panax ginseng C.A.Mey. could minimize renal injury by inhibiting oxidative stress, inflammatory responses, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and fibrosis (Liu et al., 2020; Shi et al., 2020; Xie et al., 2020; Zhu et al., 2020; Li et al., 2021).

Is ginseng good for anti inflammatory? ›

Ginseng has beneficial antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties ( 4 , 5 , 6 ). Some test-tube studies have shown that ginseng extracts and ginsenoside compounds could inhibit inflammation and reduce oxidative damage to cells, which can contribute to chronic disease ( 4 , 5 , 6 ).

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