Panax Ginseng PA-naks JIN-sing

What are other names for this remedy?

Type of medicine: natural remedy

Scientific and common names: Panax quinquefolius, Panax ginseng, Panax japonicus, American ginseng, Korean ginseng, Asian ginseng, Chinese ginseng, Japanese Ginseng, red ginseng, white ginseng, ginseng root

What is ginseng?

The ginseng plant has leaves that grow in a circle around a straight stem. The roots are used to make medicines.

There are 3 different kinds of ginseng. American ginseng and Panax ginseng are very similar. Siberian ginseng is not actually a form of ginseng at all. Siberian ginseng is used for different conditions and has different side effects. Read labels carefully and make sure that you are getting the type of ginseng that you want.

What is it used for?

This remedy has been used to treat several conditions. Studies in humans or animals have not proved that this remedy is safe or effective for all uses. Before using this remedy for a serious condition, you should talk with your healthcare provider. There may be other uses that are not listed below.

Ginseng has been used to:

• Treat erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation.
• Help the body resist infections.
• Lower cholesterol in the blood.
• Lower blood sugar in diabetes.
• Improve thinking and memory.
• Improve appetite.
• Increase strength and endurance.
• Reduce cancer risk.
• Reduce stress and anxiety.
• Treat anemia.
• Treat mild depression.
• Relieve fatigue.
• Remove excess water from the body.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not approve uses for natural remedies. The FDA does not inspect or regulate natural remedies the way they do prescription medicines.

How is it taken?

Ginseng is taken by mouth in tablet, capsule, or liquid form. It is also included in some cosmetics and skin creams. Follow the directions printed on the product label or given by your healthcare provider.

Generally you should not take ginseng continually for more than 3 months. You should wait 1 to 2 weeks before starting another course of ginseng.

What if I overdose?

Symptoms of an acute overdose have not been reported.

What should I watch out for?

Do not take Panax ginseng if you have:

• a bleeding disorder
• breast, uterine, or ovarian cancer
• endometriosis
• had an organ transplant
• heart problems
• high blood pressure
• trouble sleeping
• schizophrenia
• uterine fibroids

If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this remedy.

Diabetics: This medicine may affect your blood sugar level and change the amount of insulin or other diabetes medicines you may need. Talk to your healthcare provider about this.

Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist about any natural remedy that you are using or thinking about using. If your provider does not tell you how to take it, follow the directions that come with the package. Do not take more or take it longer than recommended. Ask about anything you do not understand. Remember:

• Natural remedies are not always safe.
• You should not take them if you are pregnant or breast-feeding without your healthcare provider's approval. They should not be taken by infants, children, or older adults without your provider's approval.
• They affect your body and may interact with prescription medicines that you take.
• Natural remedies are not standardized and may have different strengths and effects. They may be contaminated.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its desirable effects, this remedy may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the remedy. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).

Serious: Severe rash or blisters, fast or irregular heartbeat, high fever, yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, unusual tiredness.

Other: Minor bleeding (such as nosebleeds); headache; trouble sleeping; diarrhea; menstrual problems; breast pain; drowsiness; nervousness; loss of appetite; itching; rash; dizziness; mood changes; pain, burning, or irritation when applied to the skin.

What products might interact with this remedy?

When you take this remedy with other medicines, it can change the way the remedy or the medicines work. Vitamins and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Before taking this remedy, talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:

• alcohol
• medicine that reduces the chance of blood clots forming such as aspirin, warfarin (Coumadin), cilostazol (Pletal), clopidogrel (Plavix), dalteparin (Fragmin), enoxaparin (Lovenox), and heparin
• caffeine and stimulants such as diethylpropion (Tenuate) and pseudoephedrine (Sudafed)
• corticosteroids such as betamethasone (Celestone), cortisone, dexamethasone, fludrocortisone (Florinef), hydrocortisone (Cortef), methylprednisolone (Medrol), prednisolone (Orapred), prednisone, and triamcinolone (Aristospan, Kenalog)
• diabetes medicines such as glimepiride (Amaryl), glipizide (Glucotrol, Glucotrol XL), glyburide (DiaBeta, Glynase PresTab), insulin, metformin (Glucophage), pioglitazone (Actos), repaglinide (Prandin), rosiglitazone (Avandia), and tolbutamide
• diuretics (water pills) such as amiloride, bumetanide, chlorothiazide (Diuril), furosemide (Lasix), hydrochlorothiazide (Microzide), spironolactone (Aldactone), torsemide (Demadex), and triamterene (Dyrenium)
• natural remedies such as anise, angelica, arnica, capsicum, celery, chamomile, clove, ephedra, fenugreek, feverfew, garlic, ginger, horseradish, licorice, papain, turmeric, and willow
• MAO inhibitor antidepressants such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), and tranylcypromine (Parnate) (Do not take this medicine and an MAO inhibitor within 14 days of each other.)
• medicines used to suppress the immune system such as azathioprine (Imuran), basiliximab (Simulect), cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune), mycophenolate (CellCept), tacrolimus (FK506, Prograf), prednisone, muromonab-CD3 (OKT3, Orthoclone OKT3), and sirolimus (Rapamune)
• nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs) such as diclofenac (Voltaren, Cataflam), ibuprofen (Motrin, Motrin IB, Advil), indomethacin (Indocin), ketoprofen, ketorolac (Toradol), nabumetone (Relafen), naproxen (Naprosyn, Anaprox, Aleve, Naprelan), oxaprozin (Daypro), piroxicam (Feldene), and sulindac (Clinoril)

If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

Keep all natural remedies and medicines out of the reach of children.

This advisory includes select information only. The information was obtained from scientific journals, study reports, and other documents. The author and publisher make no warranty, expressed or implied, as to the information. The advisory may not include all side effects associated with a remedy or interactions with other medicines. Nothing herein shall constitute a recommendation for the use of any remedy. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information.