Scientific Names | Reported Uses | Scientific Evidence | Adverse Effects | References

Reported Uses:

• Tonic for restoration of strength.
  
• Increase of physical endurance and lessening of fatigue.
  
• Promotion of overall well being.
  
• Improving cognitive function.
  
• Treatment of diabetes mellitus.
  
• Cancer prevention.
  

Scientific Names | Reported Uses | Scientific Evidence | Adverse Effects | References

Scientific Evidence:

• An extensive literature review of the cancer-preventive potential of Panax ginseng was published in 2000. Data from animal studies in this review indicated that treatment with ginseng or ginseng root extract decreases the incidence of cancer in a variety of animal models. In the observational case-control studies and cohort studies which were looked at, the human subjects who identified themselves as ginseng consumers showed a decreased risk for various types of cancer except for cancers of the breast, uterine cervix, urinary bladder, and thyroid gland.⁵ The authors of the study emphasize the limitations of interpreting case-control and cohort studies, noting that recall information of the ginseng intake may frequently be inaccurate. In addition, the multiple chemical constituents in different preparations of ginseng make teasing out a putative cause and effect relationship extremely difficult.
  
• A random-crossover design study of 12 healthy individuals in 2001 demonstrated the effect of panax quinquefolius in reducing postprandial glycemia. The effect was time dependent, and not dose dependent, and only seen when the ginseng was administered 40 minutes prior to a glucose challenge.⁸ The authors indicate that while this study was done on healthy subjects, the therapeutic implications for ginseng as monotherapy or part of multiple therapy for persons with type 2 diabetes is compelling.
  
• A randomized double-blinded study comparing a 200mg/day ginseng group to a placebo group, and assessed using a general health status questionnaire measuring "health related quality of life" demonstrated improved aspects of mental health and social functioning after 4 weeks of therapy.³ These positive effects of ginseng did not persist when patients were re-evaluated at 8 weeks of therapy.
  

Scientific Names | Reported Uses | Scientific Evidence | Adverse Effects | References

Adverse Effects, Contraindications, Drug Interactions:

• Breast cancer patients should be advised against the use of ginseng, since not only is there no evidence for a positive anti-cancer effect in this population, but because there exist possible estrogenic side-effects of the herb.¹
  
• Because of its hypoglycemic action, ginseng may trigger dangerous hypoglycemic episodes in patients with diabetes if taken in combination with insulin therapy or other oral hypoglycemic agents.²
  
• Some other documented symptoms include hypertension, diarrhea, sleeplessness, mastalgia, skin eruptions, and vaginal bleeding.⁴
  
• A "ginseng abuse syndrome" (GAS) is described in the literature characterized by hypertension together with nervousness, sleeplessness, skin eruptions, edema, and diarrhea.⁶
  
• Concurrent use of MAOIs with ginseng may result in manic-like syndrome. In addition, overstimulation may occur when used in conjunction with caffeinated beverages or ephedra.⁷
  

Scientific Names | Reported Uses | Scientific Evidence | Adverse Effects | References

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