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The risks of taking ginseng
Ginseng is a popular herbal supplement. Studies show that in general, ginseng is a safe supplement for most people.
5,000 years ago, people in China used Asian ginseng to treat almost any condition from diabetes to erectile dysfunction. Native Americans used American ginseng for a great variety of conditions from digestive ailments to reproductive health issues. Today, ginseng is still a popular herbal supplement, sold in at least 35 countries all over the globe, but is it safe?
Studies show that in general, ginseng is a safe supplement for most people. However, taking a high dosage of ginseng over a long period of time is likely to lead to adverse effects. One study of people who had taken ginseng for 2 years showed that:
- 35% had diarrhea in the morning
- 25% had skin problems
- 25% had excess nervousness
- 20% had sleeplessness
- 17% had high blood pressure
- 10% had low blood pressure
- 10% had depression
- 10% had a decreased appetite
- 10% had bodily swelling (edema)
However, many people who take the supplement in modest amounts will not experience these side effects.
There are also a few anecdotal accounts of people going into a manic episode after taking ginseng.
In one case, a woman with a previously diagnosed mental health condition became manic after taking ginseng, and her symptoms went away after she stopped taking it and treated her mania with prescription medications.
In another case, the episode of mania occurred in someone who did not have a previous history of a mental health disorder and happened after he had been taking ginseng for two months.
In another case, a man had been taking ginseng and another herb, Yohimbe, for erectile dysfunction. He experienced one manic episode and stopped taking Yohimbe. However, he experienced another manic episode, possibly because he not only continued to take ginseng but increased his dose. Once he stopped taking ginseng, his symptoms went away.
Consequently, people who have had manic episodes or experienced psychosis should not take ginseng.
Allergic reactions
Ginseng is sometimes used to treat allergic reactions; however, it can also cause an anaphylactic allergic reaction in rare cases. Studies have shown that people who are exposed to ginseng on a regular basis, like those who work in herb shops or markets, are more at risk of developing an allergy to ginseng. However, even among that group of people, allergic reactions are rare.
Symptoms of an allergic reaction include:
- Low blood pressure
- Rash
- Itching
- Throat swelling
- Difficulty breathing
If you have any of these symptoms after consuming ginseng, call your doctor right away or visit the emergency room.
Both Asian and North American ginseng may interact with certain drugs. Experts believe that North American ginseng and Asian ginseng are different enough that they may have different drug interactions. For example, Asian ginseng has been shown to have properties that would interact poorly with certain drugs for HIV.
Asian ginseng may also interact with:
- Calcium channel blockers (used to treat high blood pressure)
- Other types of drugs to treat high blood pressure
- Some chemotherapy drugs
- Statins (drugs to lower cholesterol)
- Some antidepressants
Both Asian and American ginseng may interact with the blood-thinning drug Warfarin. However, people who wish to take both Warfarin and ginseng may be able to do so with close monitoring by their doctor.
Supplement trustworthiness
In 2015, researchers in New York tested supplements, including ginseng supplements, from four of the largest supplement retailers in the US:
- General Nutrition Centers (GNC)
- Target
- Walmart
- Walgreens
They found that only 21% of the supplements that were tested actually contained the plants that were listed on the label. That means 79% of them contained none of the ingredients listed and had contaminants from other plants and ingredients instead, so it's possible to purchase a ginseng supplement and not receive any ginseng at all.
It's important to purchase your supplements from a trusted source.
Estrogen-like effects
Researchers believe that ginseng acts as a phytoestrogen, exerting estrogen-like effects on the body. In rare cases, men have developed enlarged breast tissue after taking ginseng for one to two months. In at least one case, once the person stopped taking ginseng, their breast tissue growth stopped.
Because of its phytoestrogen effects, ginseng may also lead to heavier or irregular periods. However, more research is needed to determine if this is true.
Blood-thinning effects
You should not take ginseng if you are going to have surgery within a week. Ginseng can have a blood-thinning effect. This can lead to excessive bleeding during surgery.
Is ginseng safe during pregnancy?
Animal studies suggest that ginseng can have toxic effects during pregnancy. However, during these studies, animals were exposed to much higher doses than humans would consume.
Anecdotal evidence suggests that ginseng may be safe for pregnant people. One study reported that up to 15% of pregnant people surveyed had taken a supplement that contains ginseng under the assumption that it would have positive health benefits for their pregnancy. During the study, no abnormalities or adverse outcomes were reported in the parents who had taken ginseng. Even so, experts recommend avoiding it during the first trimester and while nursing.
Can children take ginseng?
Ginseng is not recommended for children. There have not been many studies performed about how this supplement can affect a child's development or health. According to experts, it should only be given to children under the care of a doctor.
How to take ginseng safely
To avoid most side effects of ginseng and get the greatest benefits from the herb, you should take it in cycles. Try taking a modest daily dose for three weeks and then taking a break for three weeks.
Most ginseng research studies are performed using a dose of 200mg per day, often in a capsule form, but capsules may come in dosages of 100mg up to 600mg.
Ginseng is also available as a tea and a tincture or extract. You can also peel and chew the raw ginseng root.
