Panax ginseng, also known as Korean ginseng, is an herb that has been used for various health purposes. It should not be confused with other forms of ginseng.

Panax ginseng is a plant that grows in Korea, China, and Siberia. It’s considered an adaptogen, which are natural substances that are believed to stimulate the body’s resistance to stressors. Panax ginseng contains many active chemicals. The most important are called ginsenosides or panaxosides.

Panax ginseng is taken by mouth for memory and thinking skills, Alzheimer disease, depression, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support many of these uses.

Don’t confuse Panax ginseng with other plants sometimes referred to as ginseng like American ginseng, Blue Cohosh, Canaigre, Codonopsis, Eleuthero, or Panax Notoginseng. These are different plants with different effects.

Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate.

The effectiveness ratings for PANAX GINSENG are as follows:

Possibly effective for…

• Memory and thinking skills (cognitive function). Taking Panax ginseng by mouth might improve thinking, arithmetic skills, and reaction times in healthy, middle-aged people but not in young adults. Taking panax ginseng alone doesn’t seem to help memory, but taking it with ginkgo leaf extract seems to improve memory in healthy people between the ages of 38 and 66.
• Erectile dysfunction (ED). Taking Panax ginseng by mouth seems to improve sexual function in adults with ED.
• Flu (influenza). Taking a specific Panax ginseng extract by mouth appears to reduce the risk of getting a cold or the flu. But it doesn’t seem to reduce flu symptoms or the length of the illness.
• Fatigue in people with multiple sclerosis (MS). Taking Panax ginseng by mouth daily for 3 months reduces feelings of tiredness and improves quality of life in females with MS.
• Increasing response to sexual stimuli in healthy people. Taking Panax ginseng alone or with other ingredients by mouth seems to improve sexual arousal and satisfaction in postmenopausal adults. It also seems to improve sexual desire in females who report sexual problems.

Possibly ineffective for…

• Athletic performance. Taking Panax ginseng by mouth for up to 8 weeks doesn’t improve athletic performance.

There is interest in using panax ginseng for a number of other purposes, but there isn’t enough reliable information to say whether it might be helpful.

When taken by mouth: Panax ginseng is likely safe when taken for up to 6 months. Panax ginseng is possibly unsafe when taken for more than 6 months. It might have some hormone-like effects that could be harmful when used long-term. The most common side effect is trouble sleeping. Uncommon side effects that have been reported include severe rash, liver damage, and severe allergic reactions.

When applied to the skin: There isn’t enough reliable information to know if Panax ginseng is safe. It might cause side effects such as irritation and burning.

Special precautions & warnings:

Pregnancy: Panax ginseng is possibly unsafe when taken by mouth during pregnancy. One of the chemicals in Panax ginseng has been found to cause birth defects in animals. Do not use Panax ginseng if you are pregnant.

Breast-feeding: There isn’t enough reliable information to know if Panax ginseng is safe to use when breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Children: Panax ginseng is likely unsafe in infants and children. Panax ginseng has been linked to fatal poisoning in newborns. It’s not clear if it’s safe in older children. Until more is known, do not use Panax ginseng in children.

“Auto-immune diseases” such as multiple sclerosis (MS), lupus (systemic lupus erythematosus, SLE), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), or other conditions: Panax ginseng seems to increase the activity of the immune system. It might make auto-immune diseases worse. Don’t use Panax ginseng if you have any auto-immune condition.

Bleeding conditions: Panax ginseng seems to interfere with blood clotting. Don’t use Panax ginseng if you have a bleeding condition.

Heart conditions: Panax ginseng can affect heart rhythm and blood pressure slightly on the first day it is used. Use Panax ginseng with caution if you have heart disease.

Hormone-sensitive conditions such as breast cancer, uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, endometriosis, or uterine fibroids: Panax ginseng contains chemicals (ginsenosides) that can act like estrogen. If you have any condition that might be made worse by exposure to estrogen, don’t use Panax ginseng.

Trouble sleeping (insomnia): High doses of Panax ginseng have been linked with insomnia. If you have trouble sleeping, use Panax ginseng with caution.

Suppressed immune system: Panax ginseng might make the immune system more active. This could interfere with the effects of medications that suppress the immune system, such as those given after an organ transplant. If your immune system is suppressed, don’t use Panax ginseng.

Schizophrenia: High doses of Panax ginseng have been linked with sleep problems and agitation in people with schizophrenia. Be careful when using Panax ginseng if you have schizophrenia.

Moderate

Be cautious with this combination.

Caffeine

Caffeine can speed up the nervous system. Panax ginseng might also speed up the nervous system. Taking Panax ginseng along with caffeine might increase the risk for side effects, including increased heart rate and high blood pressure. Avoid taking caffeine along with Panax ginseng.

Estrogens

Panax ginseng might have some of the same effects as estrogen. Taking Panax ginseng along with estrogen pills might decrease the effects of estrogen.

Furosemide (Lasix)

Panax ginseng might decrease how well furosemide works. But there isn’t enough information to know if this is a big concern.

Imatinib (Gleevec)

Panax ginseng might decrease how quickly the liver breaks down imatinib. Taking Panax ginseng with imatinib might increase the effects and side effects of imatinib.

Insulin

Panax ginseng might decrease blood sugar. Insulin is also used to decrease blood sugar. Taking Panax ginseng along with insulin might cause your blood sugar to be too low. Monitor your blood sugar closely. The dose of your insulin might need to be changed.

Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) substrates)

Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Panax ginseng might change how quickly the liver breaks down these medications. This could change the effects and side effects of these medications.

Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) substrates)

Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Panax ginseng might change how quickly the liver breaks down these medications. This could change the effects and side effects of these medications.

Medications for depression (MAOIs)

Taking Panax ginseng with MAOIs might increase the risk for certain side effects, such as anxiousness, headache, restlessness, and insomnia.

Some common MAOIs include phenelzine (Nardil), selegiline (Zelapar), and tranylcypromine (Parnate).

Medications for diabetes (Antidiabetes drugs)

Panax ginseng might lower blood sugar levels. Taking panax ginseng along with diabetes medications might cause blood sugar to drop too low. Monitor your blood sugar closely.

Medications that can cause an irregular heartbeat (QT interval-prolonging drugs)

Panax ginseng might affect electrical currents in the heart. This can increase the risk of having an irregular heartbeat. Some medications can have this same effect. Taking panax ginseng with these medications might increase the risk for a serious heart issue.

Medications that decrease the immune system (Immunosuppressants)

Panax ginseng can increase the activity of the immune system. Some medications, such as those used after a transplant, decrease the activity of the immune system. Taking panax ginseng along with these medications might decrease the effects of these medications.

Medications that slow blood clotting (Anticoagulant / Antiplatelet drugs)

Panax ginseng might slow blood clotting. Taking panax ginseng along with medications that also slow blood clotting might increase the risk of bruising and bleeding.

Midazolam (Versed)

Panax ginseng might increase how quickly the liver breaks down midazolam. Taking Panax ginseng with midazolam may decrease the effects of midazolam.

Nifedipine (Procardia)

Panax ginseng might affect how much nifedipine is available in the body. Taking Panax ginseng along with nifedipine might increase the effects and side effects of nifedipine.

Raltegravir (Isentress)

Raltegravir has been associated with liver toxicity in some people. Taking Panax ginseng with raltegravir might increase the risk of liver toxicity in some people taking raltegravir.

Selegiline (Eldepryl)

Panax ginseng might decrease or increase how much selegiline is absorbed by the body. This might change the effects and side effects of selegiline.

Stimulant drugs

Stimulant drugs speed up the nervous system. By speeding up the nervous system, stimulant medications can make you feel jittery and speed up your heartbeat. Panax ginseng might also speed up the nervous system. Taking Panax ginseng along with stimulant drugs might cause serious problems including increased heart rate and high blood pressure. Avoid taking stimulant drugs along with Panax ginseng.

Warfarin (Coumadin)

Warfarin is used to slow blood clotting. Panax ginseng might decrease the effects of warfarin. But it’s not clear if this interaction is a big problem. Be sure to have your blood checked regularly. The dose of your warfarin might need to be changed.

Minor

Be watchful with this combination.

Fexofenadine (Allegra)

Fexofenadine is taken to treat seasonal allergies. Panax ginseng might reduce how much fexofenadine is available in the body. But there isn’t enough information to know if this is a big concern.

Lopinavir/Ritonavir (Kaletra)

Lopinavir/ritonavir is changed and broken down by the liver. Panax ginseng might affect how quickly the liver breaks down some medications. But Panax ginseng does not seem to affect how quickly the liver breaks down lopinavir/ritonavir in humans. So this interaction is probably not a big concern.

Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 1A1 (CYP1A1) substrates)

Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Panax ginseng might change how quickly the liver breaks down these medications. This could change the effects and side effects of these medications.

Herbs and supplements that might cause an irregular heartbeat (QT interval-prolonging products)

Panax ginseng might affect electrical currents in the heart. This can increase the risk of having an irregular heartbeat. Taking Panax ginseng with other supplements with similar effects might increase the risk for a serious heart issue. Examples of supplements with this effect include bitter orange, ephedra, grapefruit, and iboga.

Herbs and supplements that might lower blood sugar

Panax ginseng might lower blood sugar. Taking it with other supplements with similar effects might lower blood sugar too much. Examples of supplements with this effect include aloe, bitter melon, cassia cinnamon, chromium, and prickly pear cactus.

Herbs and supplements that might slow blood clotting

Panax ginseng might slow blood clotting and increase the risk of bleeding. Taking it with other supplements with similar effects might increase the risk of bleeding in some people. Examples of supplements with this effect include garlic, ginger, ginkgo, and nattokinase.

Drinking caffeinated beverages such as coffee or tea while taking Panax ginseng can make you feel jittery and speed up your heartbeat. Avoid caffeinated beverages or caffeine-containing foods while taking panax ginseng.

Panax ginseng has most often been used by adults in doses of 200 mg to 3 grams by mouth daily for up to 12 weeks. Speak with a healthcare provider to find out what dose might be best for a specific condition.

Asian Ginseng, Asiatic Ginseng, Chinese Ginseng, Chinese Red Ginseng, Ginseng, Ginseng Asiatique, Ginseng Blanc, Ginseng Blanc de Corée, Ginseng Chinois, Ginseng Coréen, Ginseng Coréen Rouge, Ginseng de Corée, Ginseng Japonais, Ginseng Oriental, Ginseng Panax, Ginseng Radix Alba, Ginseng Root, Ginseng Rouge, Ginseng Sino-coréen, Ginseng Tibétain, Guigai, Hong Shen, Japanese Ginseng, Jen-Shen, Jinsao, Jintsam, Insam, Korean Ginseng, Korean Ginseng Root, Korean Panax, Korean Panax Ginseng, Korean Red Ginseng, Korean White Ginseng, Manchurian Ginseng, Mandragore de Chine, Ninjin, Ninzin, Oriental Ginseng, Panax Coréen, Panax Ginseng Blanc, Panax schinseng, Racine de Vie, Radix Ginseng Rubra, Red Chinese Ginseng, Red Ginseng, Red Kirin Ginseng, Red Korean Ginseng, Red Panax Ginseng, Ren Shen, Renshen, Renxian, Sang, Seng, Sheng Shai Shen, Tibetan Ginseng, White Ginseng, White Panax Ginseng.

To learn more about how this article was written, please see the Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database methodology.

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