Ginseng
The genus Panax includes many varieties of this small perennial herb. The common names of Panax ginseng include Oriental, Chinese, or Korean ginseng; Panax quinquefolium is the strain that grows in North America. Herbal extracts of ginseng are prepared from the dried root and root hairs of the plant.
Herbs other than those belonging to the genus Panax also are called ginseng: Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus) and Brazilian ginseng (Pfaffia paniculata). Neither Brazilian nor Siberian ginseng contains ginsenosides, the presumed active components of ginseng.
Ginseng can be used as a substance that exerts a mild strengthening effect on the body (tonic). Possible conditions for using extracts of ginseng as a tonic are during convalescence, fatigue, or debility or for declining capacity for work and concentration.
Dose
Ginseng is available in a variety of product types.
- The recommended daily dose of ginseng is the equivalent of 1 to 2 grams of dried roots.
- Because more than half of the commercially available ginseng products contain less than effective levels of ginseng, it is advised to buy ginseng from reputable suppliers.
- Ginseng may be used up to 3 months at a time and use may be repeated (Blumenthal et al 1998).
Cautions
Situations in which use of ginseng is not advised: None (Blumenthal et al 1998).
Side Effects
- Ginseng may have possible estrogen-like effects, including postmenopausal bleeding.
- Early reports that high doses or prolonged use of ginseng could cause sleeplessness, nervousness, diarrhea, and elevated blood pressure (Wichtl and Bisset 1994) are now discredited (Schulz et al 1998).
- Many sources still mention other side effects based on a report by Siegel (1979). Several authors (Blumenthal 1991; DeSmet et al 1992) have since rejected the conclusions of this report because of flawed research methods.
Drug interactions
Ginseng may interact with the antidepressant prescription medication phenelzine. Ginseng may interact with some migraine medications.
