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Ginseng

Related Terms

2-Furanmethanol, 20-(R)-R, (20S)-protopanaxadiol-3-O-(6-O-malonyl-beta-D-glucopyranosyl(1-->2)-beta-D-glucopyranoside-20-O-beta-D-xylopyranosyl(1-->3)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl(1-->6)-beta-D-glucopyranoside, 20-(S)-Re, 28-glu-oleanolic acid ester, acetylenic alcohol, acidic polysaccharides, adenosine, aglycones, Allheilkraut (German), alpha-maltosyl-beta-D-fructofuranoside, aluminum, American ginseng (AG), American wild ginseng, antioxidants, Araliaceae (family), Asian ginseng, Asian red ginseng, Asiatic ginseng, calcium, capsaicin 4-O-(6-O-beta-D-xylopyranosyl)-beta-D-glucopyranoside, capsaicin 4-O-beta-D-glucoside, ceramide, chikusetsu ginseng, chikusetsusaponin IV, chikusetsusaponin IVa, chikusetsusaponin-L8, chitinolytic enzymes, chosen ninjin, citral, class I chitinase, cobalt, copper, CPPQ (coarse polysaccharide from Panax quinquefolius), CVT-E002, dae-jo-hwan (DJW), dammarane-type glycosides, dammarane-type triterpene ketone (panaxadione), dammarane-type tetracyclic triterpenoid saponins, dwarf ginseng, fatty acids, five-fingers, five-leaf ginseng, G115?, ginsan, ginsenan PA (phagocytosis-activating polysaccharide), ginseng acidic polysaccharide, ginseng radix, ginseng saponins, ginseng tetrapeptide, Ginsengwurzel (German), ginsenoside, ginsenoside F1, ginsenoside F2, ginsenoside F3, ginsenoside F4, ginsenoside Ia, ginsenoside R0, ginsenoside Ra1, ginsenoside Ra2, ginsenoside Rb1, ginsenoside Rb2, ginsenoside Rb3, ginsenoside Rc, ginsenoside Rd, ginsenoside Rd2, ginsenoside Re, ginsenoside Rf, ginsenoside Rg1, ginsenoside Rg2, ginsenoside Rg3, ginsenoside Rg5, ginsenoside Rg6, ginsenoside Rh1, ginsenoside Rh2, ginsenoside Rh3, ginsenoside Rh4, ginsenoside Rk1, ginsenoside Rk3, ginsenoside Ro, ginsenoside Rs3, ginsenoside Rs4, ginsenoside Rs5, ginsenosides compound (shen-fu), GTTC (ginseng and tang-kuei ten combination), hakusan (Japanese), hakushan, higeninjin, hong shen (Chinese), hua qi shen (Chinese), hungseng, hungsheng, hunseng, insam (Korean), iron, Japanese rhizome, jenseng, jen-shen, jinpi, kao-li-seng, king herb, Korean ginseng, Korean red ginseng (KRG), Kraftwurzel (German), limonene, magnesium, malonylginsenoside Ra3, maltol, manganese, man root, memory enhancer, minjin, molybdenum, mountain ginseng, mountain ginseng pharmacopuncture, nhan sam (Vietnamese), ninjin (Japanese), ninzin, niuhan, North American ginseng, notoginseng, notoginsenoside, notoginsenoside-Fe, notoginsenoside R1, notoginsenoside R2, notoginsenoside R4, oleanolic acid, ophioponins, Oriental ginseng, otane ninjin (Japanese), panajaponin, panax de Chine (French), Panax ginseng, Panax ginseng C.A.Mey., Panax notoginseng, Panaxpsuedoginseng, Panax quinquefolium (common misspelling), Panax spp., Panax trifolius L., Panax vietamensis (Vietnamese ginseng), panaxadial, panaxans, panaxatriol, panaxosides, panaxydol, panaxynol, panaxytriol, pannag (Hebrew), peptidoglycans, phenolic compounds, phosphorus, polyacetylenes, polyacetylenic compounds, poly-furanosyl-pyranosyl-saccharides, poly-hydroxyl octadecenoic acid, potassium, protopanaxadiol ginsenosides, protopanaxatriol, protopanaxatriol saponins, protopanaxatriol (PPT)-type ginsenosides, quinqueginsin, racine de ginseng (French), Re, red ginseng, renshen, ribonucleases, rozu (Japanese), Romanian ginseng, Rumanian ginseng, sang, sanchi ginseng, san-pi, sanqi, saponins, schinsent, sei yang sam, seng, sesquiterpenoids, shanshen, shen-fu (Chinese), shenghaishen, shenlu, shen-sai-seng, shenshaishanshen, siyojin, sodium, sterol glucosides, stress-buster, sun ginseng, superoxide dismutase, t'ang-sne, tartar root, terpineol, tienchi ginseng, to-kai-san, trilinolein, triperpenoid saponins, triterpenoids, true ginseng, tyosenninzin, vanadium, vanillic acid, Vietnamese ginseng, vitamins, volatile oil, Western ginseng, Western sea ginseng, white ginseng, wild ginseng, woodsgrown (wild-stimulated) ginseng root, xi shen, xi yang shen, yakuyo ninjin, yakuyo ninzin, yang shen, yeh-shan-seng, yuan-seng, yuansheng, zhuzishen, zinc.

Siberian ginseng synonyms: Acanthopanax senticosus, ci wu jia, ciwujia, devil's bush, devil's shrub, eleuthera, eleuthero, eleuthero ginseng, eleutherococ, Eleutherococci radix, Eleutherococcus, phytoestrogen, shigoka, touch-me-not, ussuri, ussurian thorny pepperbush, wild pepper, wu-jia, wu-jia-pi.

American ginseng synonyms: Amerikan ginseng (Turkish), Amerikanischer Ginseng (German), amerikkalainen ginseng (Finnish), anchi ginseng, Aralia quinquefolia Decne. & Planch. (botanical synonym), Araliaceae (family), Canadian ginseng, CVT-E 002?, five fingers, five-leafed ginseng, garantoquen, ginseng, ginseng d'Am?rique (French), ginsenosides poly-furanosyl-pyranosyl-saccharides, man-root, man's health, North American ginseng, Occidental ginseng, Ontario ginseng, Panax quincefolius, Panaxquinquefolius, red berry, redberry, sang, shang (traditional Chinese medicine (TCM)), tartar root, western ginseng, wild American ginseng, Wisconsin ginseng, xi yang shen (TCM, Chinese).

Panax ginseng synonyms: Aralia (botanical synonym), Aralia ginseng Mey., Araliaceae (family), Asian ginseng, Asiatic ginseng, Chinese ginseng, G115?, Gincosan, Ginsai?, ginseng asiatique (French), ginseng radix, ginseng root, ginsengjuuri (Finnish), guigai, Japanese ginseng, jintsam, Korean ginseng, Korean Panax ginseng, Korean red, Korean red ginseng, kuhuang shenmai injection (KHSM), ninjin (Japanese), Oriental ginseng, Panax, Panax ginseng C.A.Mey., Panax schinseng, Panax schinseng Nees, Panax spp., radix ginseng rubra, red ginseng, ren shen (TCM), renshen (TCM), renxian, sang, schinsent, seng, shen, shengmai, shengmai chenggu capsule, shengmai injection (SI), shengmai san (SMS), shengmai-san, shengmaisan, shengmaiyin, shenmai, shenmai huoxue decoction (SMHXD), shenmai injection (SMI), white ginseng.

Selected products: AD-fX?, ArginMax? (Panaxquinquefolius L., Panax ginseng, and other ingredients), Bu zhong yi qi wan (Panax ginseng root and other ingredients), CKBM (Panax ginseng, Schisandra chinensis, fructus Crataegi, Ziziphus jujube, and processed Saccharomyces cerevisiae), Cold-fX? (polyfuranosyl-pyranosyl-saccharides from the root of Panax quinquefolius), Gericomplex? (Panax ginseng and a vitamin/mineral complex), Gincosan? (standardized GK501? Ginkgo biloba and the standardized G115? ginseng extract), Ginsana? (standardized G115? ginseng extract), GURUT energy drink (Ginkgo biloba, Echinacea, Panax ginseng, and guarana), Memory Enhancer? (Panax ginseng and other ingredients), Phyto-Female Complex (standardized extracts of black cohosh, dong quai, milk thistle, red clover, American ginseng, chaste tree berry), sheng mai san (radix ginseng and other ingredients), sheng mai yin (ginseng root, winter wheat (Ophiopogon japonicus) root tuber, Chinese magnoliarine (Schisandra chinensis) fruit), shengmai yin (Panax ginseng, Schizandra fruit, Ophiopogon), shi-quan-da-bu-tang (Rehmannia glutinosa, Paeonia lactiflora, Ligusticum wallichii, Angelica sinensis, Glycyrrhiza uralensis, Poria cocos, Atractylodes macrocephala, Panax ginseng, Astragalus membranaceus, and Cinnamomum cassia), sho-saiko-to (Asian ginseng root extract, schisandra fruit extract, ginger root extract, and other ingredients).

Note: This review is focused on Panax ginseng species. Kaempferia parviflora is referred to as Thai ginseng and is in the ginger family. It is not related to Panax ginseng and is not included in this bottom line. In Russia, Siberian ginseng has been advertised as a cheaper type of ginseng with identical benefits. However, it lacks the the same effects as the Panax ginseng. Other species may be referred to as ginseng as well, but they are different. Examples include: Eleutherococcus senticosus (Siberian ginseng), Pseudostellaria heterophylla (prince ginseng), Angelica sinensis (female ginseng, or dong quai), Withania somnifera (Indian ginseng or ashwagandha), Pfaffia paniculata (Brazilian ginseng), Lepidium meyenii (Peruvian ginseng or maca), and Gynostemma pentaphyllum (southern ginseng or jiaogulan). These species are not covered in this bottom line.

Background

The term ginseng refers to several species of the genus Panax of the Araliaceae family. The two most commonly used ginseng species are Asian ginseng (Panax ginseng) and American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius). Panax species should not be confused with Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus), which is from a different plant family.

The word "ginseng" comes from ren-shen, the Chinese word for the plant, which means "essence of the earth in the form of a man" or "man-root," referring to the root's human-like shape.

Panax ginseng has been used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for more than 2,000 years. Its uses include increasing appetite and strength, enhancing memory and physical performance, reducing fatigue and stress, and improving overall quality of life. Shengmai (also called shenmai) is a combination of Panax ginseng, Schisandra fruit, and Ophiopogon japonicus that has also been used in TCM to treat heart and respiratory diseases.

American ginseng has been used as a folk remedy by many Native American tribes, as a mild stimulant, digestive aid, and for ailments such as headache, female infertility, fever, and earache.

Ginseng has been used traditionally to treat cancer and, in modern times, to prevent cancer. Evidence supports ginseng use in decreasing cold symptoms, and improving mental performance.

The primary active parts of ginseng are ginsenosides. When purchasing ginseng products, experts suggest products labeled as Panax ginseng and standardized to 4-7% ginsenosides.

Evidence Table

These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *

Limited research suggests that ginseng may stimulate the immune system. In several studies, Cold-fX? (American ginseng) lacked an effect on the frequency of colds, but decreased cold duration and improved cold symptoms. Additional research is needed in this area.

B

Several studies suggest that Panax ginseng may improve mental performance in healthy individuals. Further studies are needed in this area.

B

Some studies have explored the effect of ginseng on promoting sleep and coping with stress. Additional research is needed before a conclusion can be made.

C

Available evidence suggests that ginseng may have some beneficial effects for Alzheimer's disease. More well-designed trials are needed before a conclusion can be made.

C

Early research suggests that shenmai (Panax ginseng, Schisandra fruit, and Ophiopogon japonicus) and an herbal mixture containing Panax notoginseng may be useful in the treatment of aplastic anemia, a bone marrow disorder that results in decreased red blood cells. Panax notoginseng is not commonly used or available in the United States. More research is needed in this area.

C

Early research examined the effects of an herbal mixture containing American ginseng and Panax ginseng on attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children. Additional studies are needed before a conclusion can be made.

C

The effect of ginseng in people with bad breath caused by the bacterium Helicobacter pylori has been investigated. Additional studies are needed in this area.

C

Early research has been conducted on shenmai (Panax ginseng, Schisandra fruit, and Ophiopogon japonicus) for this condition. However, more research is needed.

C

Early evidence showed that a Chinese medical preparation consisting mainly of ginseng saponins is safe and effective for idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), a disease in which the immune system destroys platelets. Further clinical trials are required before conclusions can be made.

C

Limited research suggests that injections of shenmai (Panax ginseng, Schisandra fruit, and Ophiopogon japonicus) may benefit people undergoing therapy for cancer. Anticancer effects have been reported for various types of ginseng. Additional research on the effect of ginseng alone is needed.

C

Early studies suggest that Panax ginseng, especially ginseng powder or extract, may reduce the risk of various organ cancers. Additional trials are necessary before a clear conclusion can be reached.

C

Based on limited research, shenmai injection (Panax ginseng, Schisandra fruit, and Ophiopogon japonicus) may have useful effects in people with dilated cardiomyopathy, a disease of the heart muscle. Additional studies are needed before a conclusion can be made.

C

Early evidence suggests that shenmai injection (Panax ginseng, Schisandra fruit, and Ophiopogon japonicus) may improve liver function, although it lacked an effect on widespread liver scar tissue in people with chronic hepatitis B. More research is needed on ginseng alone.

C

Early studies suggest that Panax ginseng may aid in the treatment of chest pain and other signs and symptoms of coronary artery disease. Shengmai injection (Panax ginseng, Schisandra fruit, and Ophiopogon japonicus) has also been used in Chinese medicine to treat people with this condition. Further research is needed in this area.

C

Early studies have found positive effects of Panax ginseng in the treatment of elderly individuals with symptoms of senile dementia. Additional research is needed before a conclusion can be made.

C

Early evidence suggests a beneficial effect of Panax notoginseng on diabetic nephropathy (kidney disease). Panax notoginseng is not commonly used or available in the United States. Additional studies are needed in this area.

C

Several studies evaluating exercise performance, cognitive performance, or mental performance have found that Panax ginseng supplements may help prevent fatigue. Further research is needed in this area.

C

Early evidence in infants with a collection of pus near the anus or an abnormal anal opening (fistula) suggests that treatment with a ginseng and tang-kuei ten combination (GTTC) may speed recovery. Further research is needed on ginseng alone.

C

Ginseng, in combination with other herbs, has been examined in people who have suffered a heart attack, with some evidence of benefit. Additional studies of ginseng alone are needed before a conclusion can be made.

C

Ginseng preparations have been used to treat complications of cardiac bypass surgery. There is evidence that ginseng, in combination with other treatments, may benefit people with heart valve disease, chest pain, and other heart disorders. Additional research is needed in this area.

C

Based on early research, an injection of Panax ginseng in children undergoing heart surgery may limit injury to the stomach and intestins and reduce inflammatory responses. More well-designed trials are needed before a conclusion can be made.

C

Panax ginseng has been used with digoxin to treat congestive heart failure, with a lack of clear benefit. Shenmai injection (Panax ginseng, Schisandra fruit, and Ophiopogon japonicus) and red ginseng have also been used to treat this condition. Studies on the effect of ginseng alone are needed.

C

Early evidence shows that ginseng may lower blood pressure. Additional studies are needed in this area.

C

Early studies have investigated the effect of Panax ginseng in treating high cholesterol, with mixed results. Additional studies are needed in this area.

C

Early research has examined the effects of ginseng in combination with highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in people with HIV. Although there appears to be some benefit in adding ginseng to HAART, additional research is needed before a conclusion can be made.

C

Several studies report that American ginseng lowers both fasting blood sugar and blood sugar after meals. Other research showed that blood sugar levels were raised after using Asian ginseng. Further research is needed in this area.

C

Early research on xuesaitong injection, a preparation of Panax notoginseng, suggests that it may help to decrease intracranial pressure (pressure inside the skull) and benefit people in a coma. Further research is needed in this area.

C

Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome is an immune response to hantavirus infection. Combination products containing ginseng have been suggested to improve quality of life in people with this disorder or in those with chronic kidney failure. More research is needed in this area.

C

Evidence to support the use a compound of American (Panax quinquefolius L.) or Asian (Panax ginseng) ginseng to prevent liver damage is lacking. Further research is needed in this area.

C

Early research has examined the effect of combination products containing ginseng on lung function in burn victims and those with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a type of lung disease. Further research on the effect of ginseng alone is needed before a conclusion can be made.

C

Evidence suggests that Panax ginseng may be effective in relieving menopause symptoms, such as depression and anxiety. However, the findings are unclear. Further research is needed before a conclusion can be made.

C

Hochu-ekki-to, which contains ginseng and several other herbs, has been used to treat MRSA, a type of bacterial infection. Further research on ginseng alone is necessary to make a firm conclusion.

C

Evidence suggests that people with nervous system disorders may experience improved cognitive function when taking Panax ginseng alone or in combination with other products. Further research is needed in this area.

C

Early research suggests that the combination of Panax notoginseng, Rehmannia glutinosa, and Eleutherococcus senticosus, may be effective for reducing pain and improving physical function in people with osteoarthritis. More studies are needed on the effect of ginseng alone.

C

Early research suggests that Panax ginseng saponins may be useful in treating slowed growth of baby in the womb. Further research is required in this area.

C

There is some evidence that Asian or American ginseng taken long-term improves quality of life. Further research is required.

C

Evidence regarding the use of Panax ginseng or American ginseng as a radioprotective agent is inconclusive. Further research is required before conclusions can be made.

C

Limited research has been carried out on the effect of ginseng on recovery after surgery for breast cancer. Some data suggest a faster recovery. Further research is required before conclusions can be made.

C

Early research has examined the effects of ginseng on adverse effects following transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE), an invasive chemotherapy treatment for advanced liver cancer. Additional studies are needed before a conclusion can be made.

C

Limited research has shown that ArginMax? (a combination of Panax ginseng, L-arginine, Ginkgo biloba, damiana, multivitamins, and minerals) improves sexual health in menopausal women and women who lack interest in sexual activity. Korean red ginseng extracts may improve sexual arousal in menopausal women. Further research, including investigation of the effect of ginseng alone, is required.

C

Early evidence suggests that ginseng, including red ginseng, may be effective in treating erectile dysfunction and early ejaculation. Ginseng may also improve the number and movement of sperm. Additional research is needed in this area.

C

Research suggests that ginseng may improve sleep in healthy individuals. Additional studies are needed before a conclusion can be made.

C

Limited research suggests that ginseng, in combination with other agents, may aid in easing stress. Well-designed studies of the effect of ginseng alone are needed before a conclusion can be made.

C

A combination of Salvia miltiorrhiza, Panax notoginseng, and Dryobalanops may prevent recurrent stroke in people with ischemic cerebrovascular disease, a disorder in which blood clots that prevent blood from getting to the brain. Further studies of the effect of ginseng alone are required.

C

Sho-saiko-to-ka-kikyo-sekko, a treatment consisting of ginseng and eight other herbs, may reduce the incidence of acute tonsillitis (swelling of the tonsils). More well-designed trials are needed before a conclusion can be made.

C

Several studies report that American ginseng may reduce blood lipids, fasting blood sugar, and post-meal blood sugar levels following meals in people with type 2 diabetes. Limited research has shown that ginseng lacks an effect on the factors that cause diabetes. Additional research is needed in this area.

C

Limited research suggests that shenmai or shengmai injection (Panax ginseng, Schisandra fruit, and Ophiopogon japonicus) may lead to improvement of viral myocarditis, inflamed heart muscle caused by a viral infection. Well-designed studies of the effect of ginseng alone are needed before a conclusion can be made.

C

Several studies showed that Panax ginseng alone or in combination with multivitamins alleviated symptoms of fatigue and stress in healthy older individuals suffering from fatigue. However effects of ginseng were lacking on the well-being of healthy young adults. Further research is needed in this area.

C

Limited research has been conducted on the use of ginseng for treatment of obesity and weight loss. Additional studies are needed in this area.

C

In early research, a red ginseng extract containing a mixture of Torilus fructus and Corni fructus improved facial wrinkles. More well-designed studies are needed before a conclusion can be made.

C

Overall, evidence for ginseng in improving exercise performance is lacking. However, ginseng is still commonly used by athletes in China. Additional research is needed in this area.

D

* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)

Tradition / Theory

The below uses are based on tradition, scientific theories, or limited research. They often have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. There may be other proposed uses that are not listed below.

Dosing

Adults (18 years and older):

General: Practioner and traditional recommendations of ginseng doses vary; generally ginseng is recommended to be taken in gradually increasing doses for two weeks to three months. Then, a break from ginseng for one week to three months is recommended. It is suggested that doses not exceed 1 gram of ginseng dry root daily if used long term.

Ginseng has been taken by mouth as tablets, capsules, a decocotion, a tincture, a tea from fresh root or dried root powder, or in powdered form alone.

For use as an adaptogen (to resist the effects of stress), ginseng has been fermented with Lactobacillus paracasei A221 in culture medium containing 15% ginseng medium (84% ginseng, 6.5% yeast extract, 3% soybean peptide, and 6.5% calcium carbonate) for 10 days and taken by mouth.

For Alzheimer's disease, 4.5-9 grams of Korean red ginseng has been taken by mouth daily for 12 weeks.

For bad breath, 2.7 grams of Korean red ginseng has been taken by mouth daily for 10 weeks.

For cancer (chemotherapy adjunct), 20 milliliters of cultivated wild ginseng pharmacopuncture has been infused into the vein daily for two weeks, with an expected treatment duration of four cycles (60 days).

For cancer prevention, 1 gram of red ginseng root extract powder has been taken once weekly for three years. Additionally, 4.5 grams of red ginseng powder has been taken by mouth once daily for six months.

For cardiomyopathy (a disease of the heart muscle), 20 milliliters of shengmai yin (Panax ginseng, Schisandra fruit, and Ophiopogon japonicus) has been taken by mouth twice daily.

For congestive heart failure, 2-6 grams of Panax ginseng, alone or together with 0.25 milligrams of digoxin, has been taken by mouth daily for 15 days.

For dementia, 50 milligrams of ginseng-rhizome saponin or Saponin Panax ginseng fruit (SPGF) has been taken by mouth three times daily for two months.

For diabetic neuropathy, 8 milliliters of Panax notoginseng extract in 250 milliliters of saline, has been injected into the vein once daily.

For exercise performance, 100 milligrams to 3 grams of G115? Panax ginseng has been taken by mouth daily for 13 days to eight weeks. Panax quinquefolius L. ethanol extract has been taken by mouth in doses of 618 milligrams or 1,235 milligrams once daily for one week. 3 grams of Korean ginseng has been taken by mouth daily for eight weeks. Other doses included 1.6 grams or 8-16 milligrams per kilogram of American ginseng daily for 1-4 weeks.

For fatigue, 0.5-2 grams has been taken by mouth daily in divided doses for up to eight weeks.

For heart attack, 0.5 milligram of intracoronary tirofiban and 400 milligrams of xuesaitong injection (a preparation of Panax notoginseng), followed by continuous drip into the vein of 10 milliliters per hour of tirofiban and 400 milligrams of XST in 250 milliliters of normal saline for 36 hours, has been used.

For heart conditions, doses have included 3 grams of P. quinquefolius daily for 12 weeks in hypertensive individuals, 6 grams of red ginseng daily for 15 days in people with heart failure, 0.6-1.2 milligrams per kilogram of Panax ginseng saponins daily for 10 days in people with mitral-valve disease, 0.15 grams of Panax ginseng saponins daily for eight weeks in people with coronary heart disease, and 0.2 grams of Panax ginseng (Ginsana?) daily for four weeks in healthy individuals.

For high blood pressure, 3-4.5 grams of Panax ginseng has been taken by mouth daily for three weeks. A dose of 1.5-4.5 grams of Korean red ginseng has been taken by mouth for 2-24 months. 3 grams of American ginseng been taken daily for 12 weeks

For high blood sugar in healthy people, 100 milligrams of Panax ginseng has been taken by mouth for up to 57 days. A dose of 6 grams of Korean red ginseng rootlets, body, or water extract or a dose of 1-6 grams of American ginseng has been taken by mouth 0-40 minutes prior to a 25-50 gram glucose tolerance challenge given by mouth. A single dose of 0.2-9 grams of Panax ginseng (sometimes steamed), or 3 grams of eight types of ginseng has been administered.

For high cholesterol, 0.5-6 grams of Panax ginseng has been taken by mouth in divided doses for 8-12 weeks. Red ginseng powder (1.5 grams) has been taken by mouth three times daily for seven days.

For intracranial pressure, xuesaitong injection (a preparation of Panax notoginseng) has been used for two weeks.

For kidney disorders, 0.45 grams of Panax notoginseng extract has been taken by mouth once daily for two months.

For liver protection, 1.5 grams of Panax notoginseng has been taken by mouth daily for six weeks.

For lung conditions, 100-200 milligrams of G115? Panax ginseng has been taken by mouth once or twice daily for nine days to three months.

For menopausal symptoms, 1,000 milligrams of dry American ginseng has been taken by mouth daily for four months. A dose of 200 milligrams of G115? Panax ginseng has been taken by mouth in the morning for 16 weeks. Six grams of red Korean ginseng daily has been taken by mouth for 30 days.

For mental performance, 200-600 milligrams ginseng has been taken by mouth daily for up to 12 weeks; doses of 320-960 milligrams of the combination product Ginkoba M/E? (Pharmaton? SA) have been taken by mouth. CereboostT, a standardized extract of American ginseng, has been taken by mouth in doses of 100-400 milligrams; a dose of 1.5-2.4 grams of Korean red ginseng has been taken by mouth daily for 3-10 days.

For quality of life, 80-400 milligrams ginseng has been taken by mouth for 2-9 months. Sun ginseng (3,000 milligrams) has been taken by mouth daily for 12 weeks by people with cancer.

For radiation therapy side effects, 5 grams of red ginseng powder has been taken by mouth daily for five weeks. 12 milligrams of ginseng polysaccharides has been injected into the vein beginning 3-7 days prior to radiotherapy and continuing through the end of therapy.

For recovery from surgery (liver cancer), one ginseng capsule (200 milligrams) has been taken by mouth daily for three days before and four days after surgery (transcatheter arterial chemoembolization).

For sexual arousal (in women), three capsules, each containing 1 gram of dried Korean red ginseng powder have been taken by mouth daily for eight weeks.

For sexual function, libido, and erectile dysfunction, 1,000 milligrams of extract of tissue culture-grown mountain ginseng has been taken by mouth twice daily for eight weeks. A dose from 0.3-3 grams of Korean red ginseng has been taken by mouth daily for four weeks to three months.

For sleep, three capsules, each containing 205 milligrams of lactic acid bacteria-fermented ginseng, have been taken by mouth three times daily after meals for eight days.

For type 2 diabetes, 1-9 grams American or Asian ginseng has been taken by mouth before a glucose challenge. A dose of 100-200 milligrams of Asian ginseng has been taken by mouth for eight weeks. A dose of 2-20 grams of Korean red ginseng (sometimes fermented) as powder or rootlets has been taken by mouth as single or divided daily doses for 8-12 weeks. 200-400 milligrams of G115? have also been taken for an unknown duration. Shenmai injection (Panax ginseng, Schisandra fruit, and Ophiopogon japonicus), containing 41 milligrams of ginsenosides Rb1 and Rg1, has been used daily for two weeks.

For well-being, 100-400 milligrams of G115? Panax ginseng has been taken by mouth for 60 days to four months.

Safety

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not strictly regulate herbs and supplements. There is no guarantee of strength, purity or safety of products, and effects may vary. You should always read product labels. If you have a medical condition, or are taking other drugs, herbs, or supplements, you should speak with a qualified healthcare provider before starting a new therapy. Consult a healthcare provider immediately if you experience side effects.

Interactions

Interactions with Drugs

Ginseng may increase the risk of bleeding when taken with drugs that increase the risk of bleeding. Some examples include aspirin, anticoagulants (blood thinners) such as warfarin (Coumadin?) or heparin, antiplatelet drugs such as clopidogrel (Plavix?), and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen (Motrin?, Advil?) or naproxen (Naprosyn?, Aleve?).

Ginseng may lower blood sugar levels. Caution is advised when using medications that may also lower blood sugar. People taking insulin or drugs for diabetes by mouth should be monitored closely by a qualified healthcare professional, including a pharmacist. Medication adjustments may be necessary.

Ginseng may affect blood pressure. Caution is advised in people taking drugs that raise or lower blood pressure.

Ginseng may interfere with the way the body processes certain drugs (such as midazolam or diclofenac) using the liver's cytochrome P450 enzyme system. As a result, the levels of these drugs may change in the blood and may altered effects or potentially serious adverse reactions. People taking any medication should check the package insert and speak with a qualified healthcare professional, including a pharmacist, about possible interactions.

Because ginseng may contain estrogen-like chemicals, the effects of other agents believed to have estrogen-like properties may be altered.

Ginseng may also interact with ACE inhibitors; alcohol; agents for allergy, anxiety, asthma, cancer, cholesterol, depression, inflammation, obesity, psychosis, vomiting, ulcers and viral, fungal, or parasitic infections; agents that affect the heart, nervous, or immune systems; agents that cause sensitivity to light; agents that control heart rhythm; agents that damage the liver; agents that dilate blood vessels; agents that increase sex drive; agents that protect against radiation; Alzheimer's agents; antibiotics; caffeine; calcium channel blockers; cardiac glycosides; disulfiram; diuretics; hypnotics; impotence agents; influenza vaccine; metronidazole; numbing agents; opiates; pain relievers; phenelzine; phenytoin; protease inhibitors; sedatives; or steroids.

Attribution

This information is based on a systematic review of scientific literature edited and peer-reviewed by contributors to the Natural Standard Research Collaboration (www.naturalstandard.com).

Bibliography

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Kakisaka Y, Ohara T, Tozawa H, et al. Panax ginseng: a newly identified cause of gynecomastia. Tohoku J Exp Med 2012;228(2):143-145.

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Mateo-Carrasco H, Galvez-Contreras MC, Fernandez-Gines FD, et al. Elevated liver enzymes resulting from an interaction between Raltegravir and Panax ginseng: a case report and brief review. Drug Metabol.Drug Interact. 2012;27(3):171-175.

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