Side effects of ginseng supplements

What is ginseng? Where does it come from?

Ginseng, a regularly top-selling herbal supplement, comes from the root part of several plant species in the Panax genus. The most common type of ginseng supplement comes from Panax ginseng, which roughly translates to "all-healing man-root." It is also called Asian ginseng, Chinese ginseng, or Korean ginseng. Other sources of ginseng include American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) and Tianqi ginseng (Panax notoginseng). This root has been used for thousands of years as part of traditional Chinese medicine and is said to improve physical and mental performance and increase the body's ability to respond to stress.

How is ginseng consumed?

Outside of the ginseng supplements available for purchase over-the-counter in pharmacies and health food stores, ginseng can be consumed in many different forms. The raw root can be peeled and chewed, soaked in wine to make an extract for drinking, or boiled to make a tea. Dried ginseng can be soaked or boiled until it is soft and then stewed to make an extract for drinking. Ginseng is a common ingredient in many energy drinks and teas, and it is a regular addition to Asian cuisine.

The desire to use natural products that are not mass-produced is understandable. However, it is important to acknowledge that these homemade treatments come with their own risks. No 2 ginseng roots are the same, and there is no way to guarantee how much (if any) active ingredient from the ginseng is being ingested when using the natural root.

Are there health benefits of ginseng?

There are a few studies showing that ginseng is possibly effective in improving cognitive function and Alzheimer's disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cardiovascular effects of type 2 diabetes, influenza, fatigue, erectile dysfunction, and several other conditions. In almost all cases, the effect of ginseng was small, and the study authors called for more studies with larger numbers of patients to better determine the effectiveness of ginseng.

What are the side effects of ginseng?

In general, ginseng use is well tolerated, but some patients experience side effects when taking it. Side effects associated with both Asian and American ginseng include nervousness, insomnia, changes in blood pressure, breast pain, vaginal bleeding, vomiting, diarrhea, and mania. There have been rare reports of patients experiencing severe symptoms like inflammation of the arteries in the brain (cerebral arteritis), severe skin reactions (Stevens-Johnson syndrome), inflammation of the liver (cholestatic hepatitis), and anaphylactic allergic reactions.

Does ginseng interact with other medications or substances?

Ginseng has also been shown to interact with other herbal products, prescribed and over-the-counter medications, and foods. This list includes caffeine, alcohol, blood thinners, ibuprofen, medications for the treatment of HIV, diabetic medications, immunosuppressants, antidepressants, bitter orange, ephedra, and bitter mallow. Avoiding these interactions is why it is important to speak to your physician and pharmacist before taking products like ginseng.

Ginseng during pregnancy: Is it safe?

Due to the absence of reliable information, the experts recommend not using ginseng during pregnancy (especially the first trimester) and breastfeeding.

Herbal supplements are big business, but . . .

According to the American Botanical Council, the use of herbal supplements in the US has been steadily increasing. Sales of these products in 2024 totaled more than $13 billion.

In 2015, the New York Attorney General's office tested herbal products from 4 major retailers: GNC, Target, Walmart, and Walgreens. Ginseng supplements from each of these retailers were included in the testing. They found that 79% of the herbal products tested did not contain any of the plants listed on the ingredient labels, and many contained unlisted contaminants from other plants. You can check alerts issued by the Food and Drug Administration to ensure that there are no active warnings or recalls on the product you are interested in using.

What should you do if someone has a problem after taking ginseng?

If you suspect someone has swallowed ginseng and is having a problem, do not make the person vomit. Immediately use the webPOISONCONTROL^® online tool to get help, or call your poison center at 1-800-222-1222. Whether online or by phone, expert guidance is always free, confidential, and available 24 hours a day.