Ginseng Side Effects, Nutrition values AND BENEFITS
updated on January 10, 2008.
What is ginseng?
Ginseng is a herb used in traditional medicine for thousands of years. In
Mandarin the word Ginseng literally means root of man. It was so named
because the root of this plant resembles the shape of a human body.
Almost 2,000 years ago, the great Chinese medical directory stated that
ginseng increased longevity. The main active ingredients in ginseng are
called ginsenosides. The higher the quantity of ginsenosides, the better
the quality of the ginseng.

Some people classify ginseng as an adaptogen; a substance which helps
the body resist the effects of physical and environmental stress. Some
people also claim that ginseng can increase physical endurance under
stress, improve mental alertness, memory, thinking ability or even reistance
to infection. Based on the Herb Bible by Earl Mindel, PhD and Ginseng by
Betty Kamen, PhD, ginseng facilitates the reduction of cholesterol and
blood pressure. Ginseng may also reduce the risk of  metastasis (spread)
of tumor (cancer). In addition, ginseng may also hels protects the user from
viral infection and reduced cellular oxygen. Ginseng helps reduce discomfort
caused by menopause.

There are two major types of ginseng: American and Asian. Asian ginseng
contains high contents of the active ingredients, while American ginseng is
mild. Siberian ginseng belongs to different family of herbs. The "ginseng" in
this article refers to Asian ginseng.

What are the side effects of ginseng?
Ginseng is widely used as an aphrodisiac and a stimulant. When used
appropriately, ginseng appears to be safe. NCCAM suggests that its use be
limited to 3 months because of concerns about the dvelopement of side
effects. We must be more aware of the side effects and the potential drug
interactions of ginseng, and avoid long term use of ginseng supplements.
The common side effects of ginseng side effects are mental status changes
[nervousness, restlessness, excited feeling, trouble sleeping,
gastrointestinal problems etc.]. Other side effects include vaginal bleeding,
mastalgia diarrhea, high blood pressures*.  Ginseng may also cause
allergic reactions. [2,6,7]

*Most reports stated that ginseng has hypotensive effect, instead. [8]

People with the following conditions should consult with their doctors
before taking ginseng:
People with mental problems. A 56-year-old woman with previous affective
disorder presented a manic episode during ginseng intake. Symptoms
disappeared rapidly with low doses of neuroleptics and benzodiazepines
after ginseng suppression. [3]

People who are preparing for surgery. Ginseng may increase the risk of
bleeding, Ginseng should be discontinued prior to dermatologic surgery to
minimize the risk of surgical complications. [4,7]

People who drink coffee and smoke excessively. A 39-year-old female
patient experienced menometrorrhagia, after a prolonged use of oral and
topical ginseng. This patient also had a habit of smoking, and drinking
coffee. After stopping smoking, drinking coffee and using ginseng products
for about two weeks, she had no sign of menometrorrhagia or
tachyarrhythmia and her hemoglobin levels were in the normal range.
Smoking and coffee consumption, along with ginseng use, (or just ginseng
alone) can be responsible for arrhythmogenic effects [5].

People who have high/low blood pressure or diabetes or those who are
using medications/herbs to control blood pressure. G
inseng may have
effects on blood pressure and increase the risk of bleeding. [4,7] Ginseng
may also lower blood sugar levels. This effect may be seen more in
diabetes. Thus, people with diabetes should use extra caution with
ginseng, especially if they are taking blood sugar lowering medicines or
other herbs including bitter melon and fenugreek.

In general, we should consult doctor before taking any supplements.

STUDIES SHOW THAT GINSENG IS SAFE
In a 4-week-placebo-controlled study involving 77 women, no side effects
were observed for the 34 subjects supplemented with a mixture of
ginseng, ginkgo, and damiana, L-arginine, multivitamins, and minerals. [9]

Forty-five patients with class IV cardiac function were divided into three
groups: group I (digoxin group), group II (Red Ginseng group) and group
III (Red Ginseng plus digoxin group). After treatment, the improvement of
the hemodynamical and biochemical indexes of group II and group III were
greater than those of group I, and group III was the most significant
amongst all. The results suggested that Red Ginseng and digoxin had
synergism for treatment of congestive heart failure, and Red Ginseng was
an effective and safe adjuvant without any side effects. [10]

Song et al found ginsan-an important ingredient in Panax ginseng did not
cause hepatic injury in their studies [11]

What brand is good?
The brand is very important, it determines the content of genseng.

Serving recommendations and other information vary among different
brands of ginseng supplements. The content does not vary much among
different lots of the same brand, while the content vary widely between
ginseng brands (e.g. total ginsenosides in ginseng ranged from 5.3-18.2
mg per serving).[1]

Because the ginseng content varies from brand to brand, its doesn't mean
that the most expensive one contains the largest amount of ginseng
actives. I would consider only the brands manufactured under GMP. After a
few trials, if I don't see any effects, I will change the brand.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

GINSENG BENEFITS

Ginseng has demonstrated multiple health benefits in various population
subgroups.

Cold Symptom Complex Kaneko et al confirmed the preventive effects of
medical ginseng on the common cold symptom complex, including flu, by
clinical observation.
[Kaneko et al, Kaneko Heart Clinic, Proof of the
Mysterious Efficacy of Ginseng.., J Pharmacol Sci. 2004 Jun;95(2):158-62.]

Learning and Memory Deficits Nishijo H. found that red ginseng has
ameliorating effects on learning and memory deficits due to hippocampal
lesions and aging in rats.
[Nishijo et. al, Proof of the meysterious efficacy of
ginseng..., J. Pharmacol Sci.2004 Jun;95(2):145-52.]

Cancer Kim et al concluded that ginsenosides Rg3 and Rh2 could inhibit the
proliferation of prostate cancer cells.
[Effect of ginsenosides Rg3 and Rh2
on the proliferation of prostate cancer cells. Kim et al., Pusan National
University, Korea. Arch Pharm Res. 2004 Apr; 27(4):429-35.]

Immunoglobulin Production Enhancement Ginseng extract was prepared by
boiling the ginseng root in 50% ethanol. Then, this extact was injected into
mice. The researchers found the serum levels of immunoglubulins IgM, IgG
and IgA were significantly elevated.
[Inteaperitoneal injection of ginseng
extract enhances both immunoglobulin and cytokine production in mice,
Liou et al, Kang-Ning Junior College of Medical Care and Management,
Taiwan, China. Am J Chin Med. 2004;32(1):75-88]

Lim et al extracted water-soluble ginseng marc polysaccharide and studied
its effect on murine peritoneal marcrophages. They found this chemical
significantly increased the lysosomal phosphatase activity and the
phagocytic index of peritoneal macrophages.
[Immunomodulating activities of polysaccharides isolated from Panax
ginseng. Lim et al, Yonsei University, Korea. J Med Food.2004
Spring;7(1):1-6.]

THIS ARTICLE IS FOR YOUR REFERENCE ONLY. IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS, YOU
SHOULD CONSULT WITH YOUR DOCTORS. It is important to inform your health care
providers about any herb or dietary supplement you are using, including Asian
ginseng. This helps to ensure safe and coordinated care. ALL RIGHT RESERVED 2005
zhion inc. DO NOT COPY NOR TRANSFER THIS ARTICLE TO OTHER WEBSITES OR
OTHER TYPES OF PUBLICATIONS.

REFERENCES
[1] Krochmal R Phytochemical Assays of Commercial Botanical Dietary Supplements.
Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2004 Dec;1(3):305-313. Epub 2004 Oct 6.  
[2] Boniel T et al The safety of herbal medicines in the psychiatric practice Harefuah.
2001 Aug;140(8):780-3, 805. [3] Vazquez I Herbal products and serious side
effects: a case of ginseng-induced manic episode. Acta Psychiatr Scand. 2002
Jan;105(1):76-7; discussion 77-8..[4] Chang LK et al, The impact of herbal
medicines on dermatologic surgery. Dermatol Surg. 2001 Aug;27(8):759-63. [5]
Kabalak AA et al, Menometrorrhagia and tachyarrhythmia after using oral and topical
ginseng. J Womens Health (Larchmt). 2004 Nov;13(9):1071.][6] Wang ZW
Observation of therapeutic effect by combined administration of Salvia miltiorrhiza,
ligustrazine and Panax notoginseng on late hemorrhagic shock of rabbits Zhongguo
Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi. 1997 May;17(5):292-4. [7] Nocerino E The aphrodisiac
and adaptogenic properties of ginseng Fitoterapia. 2000 Aug;71 Suppl 1:S1-5. [8]
Jeon BH et al, Effect of Korea red ginseng on the blood pressure in conscious
hypertensive rats. Gen Pharmacol. 2000 Sep;35(3):135-41. [9] Ito TY et al, A
double-blind placebo-controlled study of ArginMax, a nutritional supplement for
enhancement of female sexual function. J Sex Marital Ther. 2001
Oct-Dec;27(5):541-9.[10] Ding DZ Effects of red ginseng on the congestive heart
failure and its mechanism Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi. 1995
Jun;15(6):325-7.[11] [11][Effects of polysaccharide ginsan from Panax ginseng on
liver function. Song et al, Korea Institute of Radiological & Medical Sciences, Korea.
Arch Pharm Res. 2004 May,27(5):531-8
Did you hear about
Ohio Green Gold?
Ohio green gold is the
ginseng that grows in
Ohio. The ginseng plant
is actually native to
Ohio's woodlands.
Ohioans hunt for and dig
the root, and then sell it
mainly to the Chinese
market. Dry wild root can
be worth as much as
400 dollars per pound.
Each year, about 3200
pounds of dried ginseng
root is harvested.
Source Ohio Department of
Natural Resources
Benefit claims for Asian ginseng are numerous and include the use of the herb to support overall health ande boost the immune
system. Benefits may include improving the health of people recovering from illness, increasing a sense of well-being and stamina,
improving both mental and physical performance, treatment erectil dysfuction, hepatitis C, and symptoms related to menopause,
and finally lowering  blood glucose and controlling blood pressure.             
-adapted from Asia GinSeng, NCAM, December 2005
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