Ginseng
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Oct 19, 2024.
What are other common names?
- Panax ginseng
- Panax quinquefolius
- Panax schinseng
- American Ginseng
- Anchi Ginseng
- Asian Ginseng
- Asiatic Ginseng
- Baie Rouge
- Canadian Ginseng
- Chinese Ginseng
- Chinese Red Ginseng
- Ginseng a Cinq Folioles
- Ginseng Occidental
- Ginseng Oriental
- Ginseng Root
- Ginseng, Panax
- Japanese Ginseng
- Korean Ginseng
- Korean Ginseng Root
- Korean Panax
- Korean Panax Ginseng
- Korean Red Ginseng
- Korean White Ginseng
- North American Ginseng
- Oriental Ginseng
- Panax Quinquefolia
- Panax Quinquefolium
- Racine de Ginseng
- Radix Ginseng
- Red Berry
- Red Chinese Ginseng
- Red Ginseng
- Red Kirin Ginseng
- Red Korean Ginseng
- Red Panax Ginseng
- Ren Shen
- Sang
- Shang
- Shi Yang Seng
- Tibetan Ginseng
- White Ginseng
- White Panax Ginseng
- Wisconsin Ginseng
- Xi Yang Shen
What is this product used for?
Ginseng is used by some people as medicine. Science does not support the use of this product for any health problem.
What are the precautions when taking this product?
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Always check with your doctor before you use a natural product. Some products may not mix well with drugs or other natural products.
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Do not use this product if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant soon. Use birth control you can trust while taking this product.
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Do not use this product if you are breastfeeding.
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This product may interfere with some lab tests. Be sure to talk with your doctor about this and all drugs you are taking.
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Be sure to tell your doctor that you take this product if you are scheduled for surgery or tests.
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Do not use this product in infants or children.
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Take extra care if you are taking drugs to thin your blood. These are drugs like warfarin, heparin, or enoxaparin.
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Take extra care if you are taking drugs to dissolve blood clots. These are drugs like alteplase, reteplase, or streptokinase.
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Take extra care if you are taking drugs to help with swelling or inflammation. These are drugs like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen.
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Do not use this product if you are taking drugs called MAO inhibitors. These are drugs like isocarboxazid, phenelzine, and tranylcypromine.
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Take extra care if you are taking drugs called “water pills.” These are drugs like furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide, or chlorothiazide. This product may make them not work as well.
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Do not use this product if you have health problems that are sensitive to hormones. These are problems like breast cancer, prostate cancer, or endometriosis.
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Take extra care if you are at a high risk for infection. This includes people who have had a transplant, are on chemo, or have an autoimmune disease.
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If you have blood sugar problems, keep hard candies, glucose tablets, liquid glucose, or juice on hand for low blood sugar.
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Take extra care and check with your doctor if you have:
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Liver problems
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Heart problems, especially heart failure
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Bleeding problems
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Stomach or bowel problems
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Blood pressure problems
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Diabetes
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Cancer
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Mental health problems
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What should I watch for?
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Upset stomach
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Loss of appetite
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Rash
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When do I need to call the doctor?
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Signs of a very bad reaction. These include wheezing; chest tightness; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; fever; rash; hives; itching, discolored, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat. Go to the ER right away.
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Signs of overdose. These include high blood pressure, very loose stools, trouble sleeping, breast pain, skin rash, confusion, and very low mood.
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Signs of low blood sugar. These include hunger, dizziness, shaking, a fast heartbeat, confusion, or sweating.
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Signs of high blood pressure like very bad headaches, nervousness, problems breathing, or nosebleeds.
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Signs of low blood pressure like feeling dizzy, weak, or tired; fainting; more thirst; or skin that is pale, cool, and clammy
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Very bad throwing up
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Very bad loose stools
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Trouble sleeping
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Breast pain
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Bruising or bleeding that is not normal
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Changes in menstrual periods like lots of bleeding, spotting, or bleeding between cycles
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Changes in thinking, unusual behavior, low mood, confusion, or restlessness
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Fast heart beat
Last Reviewed Date
2023-06-12Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
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Frequently asked questions
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