Ultimate Herbals Guide: Ginseng

Your Herb Guide to Ginseng

What is Ginseng?

This Herb Guide provides everything you need to know about the herb – it’s common names, how and why it’s used, whether it works and what it works for best, research conducted, whether it’s safe to use and the potential side effects and cautions.

In general, an herb is a plant or part of a plant used for its flavor, scent, or potential therapeutic properties; which includes the flowers, leaves, bark, fruit, seeds, stems, and roots of the plant.

Asian ginseng is native to China and Korea and has been used in various systems of medicine for many centuries. Asian ginseng is one of several types of true ginseng (another is American ginseng, Panax Quinquefolius). An herb called Siberian ginseng or eleuthero (Eleutherococcus Senticosus) is not a true ginseng.

Common Names – Asian Ginseng, Ginseng, Chinese Ginseng, Korean Ginseng, Asiatic Ginseng

Latin Name – Panax Ginseng

What conditions is Ginseng used to treat?

Treatment claims for Asian ginseng are numerous and include the use of the herb to support overall health and boost the immune system.

Traditional and modern uses of ginseng include:

• Improving the health of people recovering from illness
• Increasing a sense of well-being and stamina, and improving both mental and physical performance
• Treating erectile dysfunction, hepatitis C, and symptoms related to menopause
• Lowering blood glucose and controlling blood pressure

How is Ginseng used as an herbal dietary supplement?

The root of Asian ginseng contains active chemical components called ginsenosides (or panaxosides) that are thought to be responsible for the herb’s medicinal properties. The root is dried and used to make tablets or capsules, extracts, and teas, as well as creams or other preparations for external use.

What the Science Says

Has Ginseng been proven to work? If so, prove it!

• Some studies have shown that Asian ginseng may lower blood glucose. Other studies indicate possible beneficial effects on immune function.
• To date, research results on Asian ginseng are not conclusive enough to prove health claims associated with the herb. Only a handful of large clinical trials on Asian ginseng have been conducted. Most studies have been small or have had flaws in design and reporting. Some claims for health benefits have been based only on studies conducted in animals.
• The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) conducts research to study and better understand the use of Asian ginseng. Areas of research include:
  • Asian ginseng’s interactions with other herbs and drugs
  • the herb’s potential to treat chronic lung infection
  • the herb’s potential to treat impaired glucose tolerance
  • the herb’s potential to treat Alzheimer’s disease

Side Effects and Cautions

Is Ginseng safe? What should I be careful of when taking Ginseng supplements?

• When taken by mouth, ginseng is usually well tolerated. Some sources suggest that its use be limited to 3 months because of concerns about the development of side effects.
• The most common side effects are headaches and sleep and gastrointestinal problems.
• Asian ginseng can cause allergic reactions.
• There have been reports of breast tenderness, menstrual irregularities, and high blood pressure associated with Asian ginseng products, but these products’ components were not analyzed, so effects may have been due to another herb or drug in the product.
• Asian ginseng may lower levels of blood sugar; this effect may be seen more in people with diabetes. Therefore, people with diabetes should use extra caution with Asian ginseng, especially if they are using medicines to lower blood sugar or taking other herbs, such as bitter melon and fenugreek, that are also thought to lower blood sugar.
• Tell your health care providers about any complementary and alternative practices you use. Give them a full picture of what you do to manage your health. This will help ensure coordinated and safe care.