Some studies suggest it lowers blood pressure while others found that it causes blood pressure to rise. This has led researchers to question if ginseng increases blood pressure at usual doses, but lowers it when doses are higher.

Until researchers know for sure, you should not take ginseng if you have high blood pressure unless your doctor tells you it is OK. Although American ginseng has been studied more for diabetes, both types of Panax ginsengs may lower blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes.

However, in a few studies it looked like Asian or Korean ginseng raised blood sugar levels. Some people think that the ginsenosides in American ginseng might lower blood sugar while different ginsenosides in Asian ginseng could raise blood sugar levels. Until researchers know more, you should not take ginseng if you have diabetes without your doctor's supervision and monitoring.

People who take ginseng often say they feel more alert. Several studies report that Asian ginseng may slightly improve thinking or learning. Early research shows that Asian ginseng may improve performance on such things as mental arithmetic, concentration, memory, and other measures.

Some studies have also found a positive effect with the combination of Asian ginseng and Ginkgo biloba. Most of the studies have found that ginseng does improve mental performance. But they have measured different kinds of mental function.

That makes it hard to know exactly what the effects of ginseng are. For example, one study found that people who took ginseng increased their ability for abstract thought. But it did not create any changes in their reaction time or concentration levels.

There have been a number of studies using Asian ginseng for athletic performance in people and laboratory animals. Results have been mixed, with some studies showing better strength and endurance, others showing improved agility or reaction time, and others showing no effect at all.

Even so, athletes often take Asian ginseng to boost both endurance and strength. Asian ginseng was also found to reduce fatigue in a study of people. Asian ginseng is sometimes credited with helping the body deal with physical or mental stress.

While these properties can be difficult to study, there is some evidence that ginseng both Asian and American can improve quality of life, although quality of life can be hard to measure, too. A study of men and women living in Mexico City found better quality of life measures energy, sleep, sex life, personal satisfaction, and well-being in those taking Asian ginseng.

Another well-designed study found that people who took a nutritional supplement with ginseng said they had better quality of life than those taking the same supplement without ginseng.

Asian ginseng is widely believed to boost sexual performance. But there are not many studies to back this up. In animal studies, Asian ginseng has increased sperm production, sexual activity, and sexual performance. A study of 46 men has also shown an increase in sperm count as well as motility.

Another study in 60 men found that Asian ginseng increased sex drive and decreased erection problems. Also, in one study of 45 men, those who took mg of Korean ginseng 3 times per day for 8 weeks had less trouble getting an erection than those who took placebo.

Several studies suggest that Asian ginseng may reduce the risk of some types of cancers. In one observational study, researchers followed 4, people for 5 years. They found that those who took ginseng had lower risks of lung, liver, pancreatic, ovarian, and stomach cancers.

But the study could not be sure that other things, including healthy eating habits, were responsible for the lower risk of cancer. The study also found that taking ginseng only 3 times a year led to a big reduction in cancer risk.

Several studies suggest that Asian ginseng slows down or stops the growth of tumors, although researchers are not yet sure how it might work in humans.

More research is needed. There have been only a few studies of ginseng for menopausal symptoms. Two well-designed studies evaluating red Korean Asian ginseng suggest it may relieve some of the symptoms of menopause, improving sense of well-being and mood, particularly feelings of depression.

People took ginseng along with a vitamin and mineral supplement. Other studies show no effect. The ginseng plant has leaves that grow in a circle around a straight stem. Yellowish-green, umbrella-shaped flowers grow in the center and produce red berries.

Ginseng has a taproot that looks a little like the human body, with 2 "arms" and 2 "legs. Ginseng is not ready to be used as medicine until it has grown for about 6 years.

Asian or Chinese and Korean ginseng are the same plants, but grown in different areas. American ginseng is a relative of the same species, native to North America. Asian ginseng supplements are made from the ginseng root, and the long, thin offshoots, called root hairs.

Both Asian or Korean and American ginseng have ginsenosides, saponins that are ginseng's active ingredients. Asian ginseng also contains glycans panaxans , polysaccharide fraction DPG, peptides, maltol, B vitamins, flavonoids, and volatile oil.

White ginseng dried, peeled or red ginseng unpeeled root, steamed before drying is available in water, water-and-alcohol, or alcohol liquid extracts, and in powders or capsules. Asian ginseng root is also available for making decoctions boiling the root in water.

Read the label carefully to make sure you get the type of ginseng you want. If you are looking for Asian ginseng, make sure you buy Korean, red, or Panax ginseng. If you are looking for American ginseng, you should buy Panax quinquefolius. Eleuthero Eleutherococcus senticosus , which is sometimes called Siberian ginseng, does not have the same active ingredients as Asian or American ginseng.

Asian ginseng comes in different forms and is often used in combination with other herbs or nutrients. Talk with an experienced health care practitioner to find the right dose for you. Healthy people who want to boost physical or mental performance, prevent illness, or better resist stress should take Asian ginseng in cycles.

For example, take every day for 2 to 3 weeks, then stop for 3 weeks, then start back. The use of herbs is a time-honored approach to strengthening the body and treating disease. However, herbs can trigger side effects and interact with other herbs, supplements, or medications. For these reasons, you should take herbs with care under the supervision of a health care provider, qualified in the field of botanical medicine.

Asian ginseng should not be taken continuously; take periodic breaks and consult a trained herbal prescriber if you are considering long-term use.

Asian ginseng may cause nervousness or sleeplessness, especially if taken at high doses or combined with caffeine. Other side effects are rare, but may include:. To avoid hypoglycemia or low blood sugar, even in people without diabetes, take Asian ginseng with food. People with high blood pressure should not take Asian ginseng products without their doctor's supervision.

People who are ill or have low blood pressure should take caution when using Asian ginseng. People with an autoimmune disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or Crohn disease, should ask their doctors before taking Asian ginseng.

Theoretically, Asian ginseng may boost an already overactive immune system. Pregnant or breastfeeding women should not take Asian ginseng. Asian ginseng may cause vaginal bleeding. Stop taking Asian ginseng at least 7 days prior to surgery. Asian ginseng may act as a blood thinner, increasing the risk of bleeding during or after a procedure.

If you are currently taking any of the following medications, you should not use Asian ginseng without first talking to your health care provider:. ACE inhibitors blood pressure medications : Asian ginseng may interact with angiotensin-converting enzyme ACE inhibitors used to lower high blood pressure.

These medications include:. Calcium channel blockers heart and blood pressure medications : Asian ginseng may make certain heart medications, including calcium channel blockers, work differently than intended. Blood-thinners anticoagulants and antiplatelets : Asian ginseng may increase the risk of bleeding, especially if you already take blood thinners, such as aspirin, warfarin Coumadin , or clopidogrel Plavix.

Caffeine: Ginseng may make the effect of caffeine stronger, possibly causing nervousness, sweating, insomnia, or irregular heartbeat. Diabetes medications, including insulin: Ginseng may lower blood sugar levels, increasing the risk of hypoglycemia or low blood sugar.

Drugs that suppress the immune system: Asian ginseng may boost the immune system and may interact with drugs taken to treat an autoimmune disease or drugs taken after organ transplant. Stimulants: Ginseng may increase the stimulant effect and side effects of some medications taken for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder ADHD , including amphetamine and dextroamphetamine Adderall and methylphenidate Concerta, Ritalin.

MAOIs monoamine oxidase inhibitors : Ginseng may increase the risk of mania when taken with MAOIs, a kind of antidepressant. There have been reports of interaction between ginseng and phenelzine Nardil causing headaches, tremors, and mania.

MAOIs include:. Furosemide Lasix : Some researchers think Asian ginseng may interfere with Lasix, a diuretic water pill that helps the body get rid of excess fluid. Other medications: Asian ginseng may interact with medications that are broken down by the liver.

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Long-term intake of North American ginseng has no effect on hour blood pressure and renal function. Hypertension ; Stavro PM, Woo M, Heim TF, et al. North American ginseng exerts a neutral effect on blood pressure in individuals with hypertension. Scholey A, Ossoukhova A, Owen L, et al. Effects of American ginseng Panax quinquefolius on neurocognitive function: an acute, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study.

Psychopharmacology Berl ; Predy GN, Goel V, Lovlin RE, et al. Immune modulating effects of daily supplementation of COLD-fX a proprietary extract of North American ginseng in healthy adults. J Clin Biochem Nutr ; Vohra S, Johnston BC, Laycock KL, et al. Safety and tolerability of North American ginseng extract in the treatment of pediatric upper respiratory tract infection: a phase II randomized, controlled trial of 2 dosing schedules.

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Extraction-dependent effects of American ginseng Panax quinquefolium on human breast cancer cell proliferation and estrogen receptor activity. Integr Cancer Ther ; Hsu CC, Ho MC, Lin LC, et al.

American ginseng supplementation attenuates creatine kinase level induced by submaximal exercise in human beings.

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Supplements are not regulated by the U. Food and Drug Administration like drugs. The FDA does not have to approve supplement claims on labels before they go to market.

In addition, ginseng supplements may contain different types of ginseng with varying amounts of ginsenosides. For these reasons, purchasing ginseng supplements that are third-party tested and transparent about their ingredients is important.

When purchasing a ginseng supplement, the label should include the following:. Knowing how much ginsenosides you are getting is impossible if you plan to consume ginseng directly from the plant.

You will also want to check your state's regulations on harvesting ginseng outside your home. Sometimes it is not legal to gather ginseng on state and federal land. It may also require a permit.

Yes, you can take too much ginseng and experience uncomfortable side effects. However, there has not been enough testing to prove a toxic amount of ginseng for adults. People who take more than mg of American ginseng and 3 g of Asian ginseng per day are more likely to encounter side effects.

Taking ginseng for prolonged periods may also increase your risk of side effects. Sleep problems are the most common side effect of taking Asian and American ginseng. Other side effects of ingesting ginseng include:. Ginseng is often advertised as an herb that promotes overall well-being, energy, and stress reduction.

Actual research shows the herb may help improve blood sugar, cholesterol, immune health, and fatigue. However, we need more high-quality human studies to confirm supplementing American or Asian ginseng has proven health benefits.

If you still want to take ginseng, talk to your healthcare provider before taking the supplement. Taking ginseng for a few weeks or months is unlikely to cause harm if you are a healthy adult, but ginseng can affect blood clotting and interact with medications.

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Prev Nutr Food Sci. Gui QF, Xu ZR, Xu KY, Yang YM. The efficacy of ginseng-related therapies in type 2 diabetes mellitus: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis. Medicine Baltimore. Shishtar E, Sievenpiper JL, Djedovic V, et al. The effect of ginseng the genus panax on glycemic control: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled clinical trials.

PLoS One. Published Sep Kim S, Shin BC, Lee MS, Lee H, Ernst E. Red ginseng for type 2 diabetes mellitus: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials.

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Szczuka D, Nowak A, Zakłos-Szyda M, et al. American ginseng panax quinquefolium L. as a source of bioactive phytochemicals with pro-health properties. Saboori S, Falahi E, Yousefi Rad E, Asbaghi O, Khosroshahi MZ. Effects of ginseng on C-reactive protein level: a systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials.

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Poison Control. Side effects of ginseng supplements. Vohra S, Johnston BC, Laycock KL, et al. Safety and tolerability of North American ginseng extract in the treatment of pediatric upper respiratory tract infection: a phase II randomized, controlled trial of 2 dosing schedules.

Lewicka A, Szymański Ł, Rusiecka K, et al. Supplementation of plants with immunomodulatory properties during pregnancy and lactation-maternal and offspring health effects. Mancuso C, Santangelo R. Panax ginseng and Panax quinquefolius: From pharmacology to toxicology. Food Chem Toxicol. Cambria C, Sabir S, Shorter IC.

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By Carley Millhone. Carley Millhone. After giving rats milligrams of Korean red ginseng extract for seven days, it proved to significantly reduce the extent of inflammation, and it improved the damage that was already done to the brain.

Korean red ginseng was tested for its anti-allergic properties on 40 mice with allergic rhinitis, a common upper airway inflammatory disease typically seen in children and adults. The most frequent symptoms include congestion, nasal itching and sneezing.

Another surprising ginseng benefit is its ability to work as a natural appetite suppressant. It also boosts your metabolism and helps the body burn fat at a faster rate. A study done at the Tang Center for Herbal Medicine Research in Chicago measured the anti-diabetic and anti-obesity effects of Panax ginseng berry in adult mice.

The mice were injected with milligrams of ginseng berry extract per kilogram of body weight for 12 days. By day five, the mice taking the extract had significantly lower fasting blood glucose levels.

After day 12, the glucose tolerance in the mice increased, and overall blood glucose levels decreased by 53 percent. The treated mice showed weight loss, too, starting at 51 grams and ending the treatment at 45 grams. A similar study done in found that Panax ginseng plays a vital role in the anti-obesity effect in mice.

This suggests the clinical importance of improving the management of obesity and related metabolic syndromes with this herb. Taking powdered Korean red ginseng seems to improve sexual dysfunction and erectile dysfunction in men.

A systematic review included 28 randomized clinical studies that evaluated the effectiveness of red ginseng for treating erectile dysfunction. The review provided suggestive evidence for the use of the herb, but researchers believe that more rigorous studies are necessary in order to draw definitive conclusions.

Of the 28 reviewed studies, six reported an improvement of erectile function when using red ginseng compared with placebo control. Four studies tested the effects of red ginseng for sexual function using questionnaires compared with placebo, and all trials reported positive effects.

Ginseng treatment has significantly decreased lung bacteria, and studies involving rats have shown that it can stop the growth of cystic fibrosis, a common lung infection. In one study, rats were given ginseng injections, and after two weeks, the treated group showed a significantly improved bacterial clearance from the lungs.

Research also shows another ginseng benefit is its ability to treat a lung disease called chronic obstructive pulmonary disease COPD , which is characterized as chronically poor airflow that typically worsens over time. According to the research, taking Panax by mouth seems to improve lung function and some symptoms of COPD.

Several studies show that American ginseng lowers blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes, working to improve diabetes symptoms. One study done at the Human Cognitive Neuroscience Unit in the United Kingdom found that Panax causes a reduction in blood glucose levels one hour after the consumption of glucose, confirming that ginseng possesses glucoregulatory properties.

One of the primary difficulties with type 2 diabetes is that the body is not responsive enough to insulin. Research has shown that ginseng possesses powerful anticancer properties because of its ability to inhibit tumor growth.

Although more research is needed on this subject, reports conclude that the improvements in cell immunity involving T cells and NK cells natural killer cells — along with other mechanisms such as oxidative stress, apoptosis and angiogenesis — give this herb its anticancer properties.

Scientific reviews state that ginseng mitigates cancer through anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and apoptotic mechanisms to influence gene expression and stop tumor growth. This shows this herb may work as a natural cancer preventer.

will get colorectal cancer during his or her lifetime. Researchers treated human colorectal cancer cells with steamed ginseng berry extract and found the anti-proliferation effects were 98 percent for HCT and 99 percent for SW cells.

When researchers tested steamed American ginseng root, they found results comparable to that of the steamed berry extract. Another well-researched ginseng benefit is its ability to boost the immune system — helping the body fight off infection and disease.

The roots, stems and leaves have been used for maintaining immune homeostasis and enhancing resistance to illness or infection. Several clinical studies have shown that American ginseng improves the performance of cells that play a role in immunity.

It regulates each type of immune cell, including macrophages, natural killer cells, dendritic cells, T cells and B cells. Ginseng extracts produce antimicrobial compounds that work as a defense mechanism against bacterial and viral infections.

Studies show that its polyacetylene compounds are effective against bacterial infections. Research involving mice showed that ginseng decreased the number of bacteria present in the spleens, kidney and blood. Ginseng extracts also protected mice from septic death due to inflammation.

Reports show that this herb also has inhibitory effects on the growth of many viruses, including influenza, HIV and rotavirus. Pesky symptoms, such as hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, irritability, anxiety, depressive symptoms, vaginal dryness, decreased sex drive, weight gain, insomnia and thinning hair, tend to accompany menopause.

Some evidence suggests that ginseng can help decrease the severity and occurrence of these symptoms as part of a natural menopause treatment plan.

A systematic review of randomized clinical trials found that in three different trials Korean red ginseng had the efficacy to boost sexual arousal in menopausal women, increase well-being and general health while decreasing depressive symptoms, and better improve menopause symptoms on the Kupperman index and Menopausal Rating Scale compared to the placebo group.

A fourth study found no significant difference in the frequency of hot flashes between the ginseng and placebo group. Ginseng products are made from the root and the offshoots that are called root hairs.

You can find the herb in dried, powdered, capsule and tablet forms. It is also available in a number of combination formulas. The contents of products labeled as containing Panax can vary greatly, and some may contain little or no Panax.

Be sure to read the ingredient labels carefully, and always purchase products from a reputable and reliable company. When buying Asian ginseng, look for Korean, red or Panax ginseng. When buying the American variety, look for Panax quinquefolius.

In China, people have been drinking ginseng tea for 5, years. In Chinese herbal medicine, practitioners recommend that adults over 40 drink one cup every day. Ginseng tea, just like ginseng supplements and extracts, is used to improve your mental power and memory.

When making the tea, first choose the type of ginseng you want to use: American which is better during hotter months or Korean better during colder months. You can buy ginseng tea bags from your local food store, but making it yourself from the root of the plant is the most beneficial form.

Proper dosing is an important factor for ginseng use. The following ginseng doses have been studied in scientific research:. The side effects from ginseng are generally mild in healthy adults. It can act as a stimulant in some people, so it may cause nervousness and insomnia especially in large doses.