Korean (Panax ginseng), American ( P.quinquefolius)
Description: A shrub 3-4 feet tall with spiny shoots and grey or brownish
bark. Grows in Asia and is considered the strongest.
American ginseng is milder and less stimulating. It grows form
Canada to Georgia and takes 6 years to produce a marketable root.
Part Used: Root and leaves
combat fatigue, thus
improve LDL & HDL levels
raise and lower BP
prevent platelet aggregation
improve immune system
Action: Main components are
ginsenosides or panaxosises. They produce CNS depression or CNS
stimulation. There are complex chemical components in the root, and
thus they produce opposing effects.
Dried roots: - 2-4 grams
Tincture (1:5) - 10-20
Effects: Can produce diarrhea, sleep disturbance,
headache, hypertension, skin rash, increase
in postmenopausal women, and can cause a decreased diuretic
Since ginseng is highly
notable for being mislabeled, it is not known whether ginseng itself or
its contaminants is the cause for adverse effects.
Drug Interactions: Warfarin
Do not use concurrently with caffeine, estrogen-dependent malignancies (Breast cancer),
menses, acute illness, hypertension, schizophrenia and mania.
Pregnancy, lactating, and children. (no studies)
Most important is that there are
various forms of ginseng. Depending on the components of ginseng
root, the effects will be different. Also, ginseng is frequently
adulterated or mislabeled and varying constitutions of the product has
Caffeine and ephedrine had sometimes been added, as well as Phenylbutazone
Warn patients that ginseng and warfarin may both increase or decrease
coagulations. Monitor clotting times routinely.
Ginseng causes hypoglycemia and diabetics blood sugar levels must be
Over the 400 studies that have been done on ginseng, some provide unreliable results and
have inadequate study design and control.
Approximately 6 million American use ginseng regularly.