Ginseng is usually derived from 2 different species of plant: American Ginseng is usually derived from 2 different species of plant: Americanginseng and Asian ginseng. American ginseng is milder than Asian ginseng. Ginseng is available in many forms, such as fresh and dried roots, extracts, solutions, capsules, tablets, cosmetics, sodas, and teas.
Siberian ginseng is not really ginseng and contains different active components.
Ginseng products vary considerably in quality because many contain little or no detectable active ingredient. In very few cases, some ginseng products from Asia have been purposefully mixed with mandrake root or with phenylbutazone or aminopyrine—medications that have been removed from the market in the United States because of unacceptable side effects.
Claims for Ginseng
People take ginseng mostly to enhance physical and mental performance and to increase energy and resistance to the harmful effects of stress and aging. Many take it to enhance sexual performance, including treating erectile dysfunction. Ginseng may reduce blood sugar levels and increase levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL)—the good—cholesterol. Ginseng may also improve immune function. It is claimed that ginseng has anticancer properties, improves heart health, mimics estrogen's effects, and may affect hormones of the endocrine system as well as neurotransmitters and receptors in the central nervous system.may also improve immune function. It is claimed that ginseng has anticancer properties, improves heart health, mimics estrogen's effects, and may affect hormones of the endocrine system as well as neurotransmitters and receptors in the central nervous system.
Evidence for Ginseng
Ginseng is said to produce health benefits by enhancing overall immune function, improving cognitive function, and fighting fatigue. It is also thought to have anticancer properties.Ginseng is said to produce health benefits by enhancing overall immune function, improving cognitive function, and fighting fatigue. It is also thought to have anticancer properties.
One study found that ginseng did not prevent colds but did shorten their duration. Some studies show ginseng may trivially improve erectile function.did not prevent colds but did shorten their duration. Some studies show ginseng may trivially improve erectile function.
Some studies suggest that ginseng improved quality of life subjective scores. However, evaluating quality of life (and some other possible effects of ginseng, such as energy) is difficult because it is so subjective.
In another study of people with diabetes, ginseng reduced blood sugar levels and improved mood and energy.
Some preliminary evidence suggests that American ginseng may help relieve respiratory tract infections, and a 2021 review of 9 studies suggested that ginseng may improve erectile function.suggested that ginseng may improve erectile function.
Side Effects of Ginseng
Ginseng has a reasonably good safety record. However, some authorities recommend limiting the use of ginseng to 3 months because of the possible development of side effects. The most common side effects are nervousness and excitability, which usually decrease after the first few days. The ability to concentrate may decrease and blood sugar may decrease to abnormally low levels (hypoglycemia). Other side effects may include headaches, allergic reactions, and sleep and digestive problems, breast tenderness, and menstrual irregularities. Because ginseng has an estrogen-like effect, women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should not take it, nor should children.
Occasionally, there have been reports of more serious side effects, such as asthma attacks, increased blood pressure, palpitations or risk of abnormal heart rhythms, and, in postmenopausal women, uterine bleeding. To many people, ginseng tastes unpleasant.
Drug Interactions with Ginseng
Ginseng can interact with medications that prevent blood clots, aspirin, other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), corticosteroids, digoxin, can interact with medications that prevent blood clots, aspirin, other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), corticosteroids, digoxin,estrogen therapy, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs, used to treat depression), and medications that decrease blood sugar levels (antihyperglycemic medications, used to treat diabetes).
Ginseng may also increase the blood levels of certain medications. For instance, ginseng can increase levels of imatinib (used to treat leukemia) and raltegravir (used to treat infection with human immunodeficiency virus [HIV]), causing liver toxicity. can increase levels of imatinib (used to treat leukemia) and raltegravir (used to treat infection with human immunodeficiency virus [HIV]), causing liver toxicity.
If ginseng is combined with certain medications that affect heart rhythm, such as amiodarone or thioridazine, irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias) may occur.is combined with certain medications that affect heart rhythm, such as amiodarone or thioridazine, irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias) may occur.
Recommendations for Ginseng
Ginseng is not recommended because it does not provide any proven health benefit and has some risk of significant side effects and drug interactions. Pregnant or breastfeeding women should not take ginseng.
More Information
The following English-language resource may be useful. Please note that The Manual is not responsible for the content of this resource.
National Institutes of Health's National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Asian Ginseng
Drugs Mentioned In This Article
