Panax ginseng generally is well tolerated, and its adverse effects are mild and reversible. Panax ginseng may interact with caffeine to cause hypertension, and it may lower blood alcohol concentrations. It also may decrease the effectiveness of warfarin Coumadin. Concomitant use of Panax ginseng and the monoamine oxidase inhibitor phenelzine Nardil may result in manic-like symptoms. Contraindications to the use of Panax ginseng include high blood pressure, acute asthma, acute infections, and nose bleeds or excessive menstruation.
These effects appear to occur primarily with high dosages or prolonged use. Ginseng also causes hypoglycemic activity, and caution should be exercised in using ginseng products in patients with diabetes because of possible interactions with oral hypoglycemic agents and insulin. One source 2 recommends avoiding the use of ginseng products in children and in women who are pregnant or lactating, until more rigorous studies prove safety in these groups.
Most published research studies have used a standardized Panax ginseng extract in a dosage of mg per day. Other sources 2 , 23 , 27 recommend 0. Capsule formulas are generally given in a dosage of to mg per day, usually in divided doses.
Standardization is to the ginsenoside content, which is usually recommended to be 1. Ginseng is commonly taken for long periods. Already a member or subscriber? Log in. Interested in AAFP membership? Learn more. Kiefer received his medical degree from the University of Wisconsin Medical School, Madison, and completed a family practice residency at Swedish Family Medicine, Seattle. Address correspondence to David Kiefer, M. Box , Tucson, AZ e-mail: dskseat aol. The authors indicate that they do not have any conflicts of interests.
Sources of funding: none reported. Tyler's Herbs of choice: the therapeutic use of phytomedicinals. New York, N. Ginsengs: a review of safety and efficacy.
Nutr Clin Care. World Health Organization. WHO monographs on selected medicinal plants. Geneva: World Health Organization, The efficacy of ginseng.
A systematic review of randomised clinical trials. Eur J Clin Pharmacol. Double-blind study of a multivitamin complex supplemented with ginseng extract. Drugs Exp Clin Res. Effects of a standardized ginseng extract combined with dimethylaminoethanol bitartrate, vitamins, minerals, and trace elements on physical performance during exercise.
Clin Ther. Physiol Behav. Sorensen H, Sonne J. A double-masked study of the effects of ginseng on cognitive functions. Today, although research on Panax ginseng is fairly limited, there's some evidence that the herb may offer certain health benefits. Here's a look at several key study findings:. Panax ginseng may aid in diabetes management.
In a research review published in PLoS One in , for instance, scientists analyzed 16 previously published randomized controlled trials focusing on ginseng's effects on blood glucose levels for people with and without diabetes.
The authors concluded that even though ginseng significantly improved fasting blood glucose levels for diabetics and non-diabetics, further research is needed. Panax ginseng has been shown to improve cognitive performance, mainly short-term memory, according to a research review of the beneficial health effects of ginseng.
In addition, a study found that supplementing with ginseng for five or more years had a beneficial impact on cognition for older adults. The increase in cognition, as well as other health benefits of ginseng, is thought to be due to ginseng's antioxidant properties.
According to a comprehensive data review of six randomized trials that occurred over 15 years, Panax ginseng may be an effective and safe treatment for erectile dysfunction. Unlike prescription drugs for erectile dysfunction which are usually taken when needed , ginseng only appears to be useful for erectile dysfunction if taken on a continuous basis. Although it's sometimes touted as a cure-all, Panax ginseng may not be helpful for certain conditions.
In addition, the National Institutes of Health states that although there has been numerous studies on the beneficial impact of ginseng, there is not enough conclusive research in the treatment of a number of conditions including depression, chronic fatigue syndrome, cancer, colds, the flu, bronchitis , fever, digestive problems, fibromyalgia, and anemia.
Ginseng is commonly used and is even found in beverages, which may lead you to believe that it's completely safe. But like any herbal supplement or medication, it can have unwanted effects. Some of the more commonly reported side effects include headaches, digestive problems, and insomnia. Panax ginseng may affect blood pressure, so if you have high blood pressure hypertension , you may want to avoid ginseng unless you're under the supervision of a healthcare provider.
Children and pregnant or nursing women should avoid Panax ginseng. Panax ginseng may lower blood glucose levels and it may interact with diabetes medication, so if you have diabetes and are considering using it, be sure to speak with your healthcare provider. Panax ginseng can increase the effect of blood-thinners anticoagulant and antiplatelet medication such as warfarin, clopidogrel, ticlopidine, heparin, and aspirin , which may increase the risk of adverse effects such as bleeding.
Some herbal supplements have been known to cause bleeding, and can therefore increase the risk of bleeding if combined with ginseng. Panax ginseng may interfere with the metabolism of monoamine oxidase MAO inhibitors, such as phenelzine sulfate, tranylcypromine sulfate, and isocabaxazid. It's also believed to affect levels of neurotransmitters chemicals that carry messages from nerve cells to other cells and may interact with antipsychotic drugs such as chlorpromazine.
Panax ginseng has been found to interfere with the metabolism of drugs processed by an enzyme called CYP3A4. There is no single recommended dose of Panax ginseng. Various doses have been studied in research. For example, a study that assessed 91 clinical trials regarding the effects of Penax ginseng on various health states reported that suitable dosages and recommendations were difficult to conclude due to the diversity of the trials.
While Panax ginseng may boost your energy and help in the management of certain health conditions, if you're considering taking it, it's important to consult your healthcare provider first. Both American ginseng Panax quinquefolius, L. Ginseng may boost energy, lower blood sugar and cholesterol levels, reduce stress , promote relaxation, treat diabetes , and manage sexual dysfunction in men.
More research is needed to confirm if it has any benefit as a supplement. Researchers believe that ginsenosides, chemical components found in ginseng, are responsible for any clinical effects of the herb. Western scientists and health professionals often question the medicinal properties of ginseng. There is no conclusive evidence about its true effectiveness. Ginseng products can vary in their quality and potential medicinal properties.
A person should check the ingredients of any ginseng product before purchase, as some products may contain a small or negligible amount of ginseng, and some could contain other substances. Ginseng may help stimulate physical and mental activity in people who feel weak and tired. One study of 21 men and 69 women found that ginseng showed good results in helping people with chronic fatigue. A study of people receiving cancer treatment found that ginseng helped reduce cancer-related fatigue.
However, researchers only documented the energy-boosting effects of ginseng in people currently undergoing treatment. Ginseng did not show statistically significant improvements in people who had already finished cancer treatment.
Ginseng may improve thinking processes and cognition. A report examined the accuracy of this claim. This report concluded that, based on human and aminal studies, ginseng components have the potential to treat some cognitive deficits. These studies showed ginseng could reduce oxidative stress, which could lead to enhancement in cognitive function.
The study involved 14 people, three men, and 11 women, with a median age of However, more studies are needed to draw definite conclusions about the effects of ginseng on ED Summary Ginseng may improve symptoms of erectile dysfunction by decreasing oxidative stress in tissues and enhancing blood flow in penile muscles.
Ginseng may strengthen the immune system. Some studies exploring its effects on the immune system have focused on cancer patients undergoing surgery or chemotherapy treatment. One study followed 39 people who were recovering from surgery for stomach cancer, treating them with 5, mg of ginseng daily for two years. Interestingly, these people had significant improvements in immune functions and a lower recurrence of symptoms Another study examined the effect of red ginseng extract on immune system markers in people with advanced stomach cancer undergoing post-surgery chemotherapy.
After three months, those taking red ginseng extract had better immune system markers than those in the control or placebo group It seems that ginseng extract could enhance the effect of vaccinations against diseases like influenza, as well Even though these studies show improvements in immune system markers in people with cancer, more research is needed to demonstrate the efficacy of ginseng in boosting resistance to infections in healthy people Summary Ginseng may strengthen the immune system in people with cancer and even enhance the effects of certain vaccinations.
Ginseng may be helpful in reducing the risk of certain cancers Ginsenosides in this herb have been shown to help reduce inflammation and provide antioxidant protection 34 , The cell cycle is the process by which cells normally grow and divide. Ginsenosides could benefit this cycle by preventing abnormal cell production and growth 34 , Moreover, an observational study suggested that people taking ginseng could be less likely to develop certain types of cancer, such as lip, mouth, esophagus, stomach, colon, liver and lung cancer, than those who do not take it Ginseng may also help improve the health of patients undergoing chemotherapy, reduce side effects and enhance the effect of some treatment drugs While studies on the role of ginseng in cancer prevention show some benefits, they remain inconclusive Summary Ginsenosides in ginseng seem to regulate inflammation, provide antioxidant protection and maintain the health of cells, which could help decrease the risk of certain kinds of cancer.
Nevertheless, more research is needed. Various animal studies have linked some components in ginseng, like polysaccharides and oligopeptides, with lower oxidative stress and higher energy production in cells, which could help fight fatigue 38 , 39 , One four-week study explored the effects of giving 1 or 2 grams of Panax ginseng or a placebo to 90 people with chronic fatigue.
Those given Panax ginseng experienced less physical and mental fatigue, as well as reductions in oxidative stress, than those taking the placebo Another study gave cancer survivors experiencing fatigue 2, mg of American ginseng or a placebo.
After eight weeks, those in the ginseng group had significantly lower fatigue levels than those in the placebo group Furthermore, a review of over studies suggested that ginseng supplements may not only help reduce fatigue but also enhance physical activity Summary Ginseng may help fight fatigue and enhance physical activity by lowering oxidative damage and increasing energy production in cells.
Ginseng seems to be beneficial in the control of blood glucose in people both with and without diabetes 44 , American and Asian ginseng have been shown to improve pancreatic cell function, boost insulin production and enhance the uptake of blood sugar in tissues Moreover, studies show that ginseng extracts help by providing antioxidant protection that reduce free radicals in the cells of those with diabetes
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