Product Information:

Ginseng - Latin name: Panax ginseng - A Remedy For Fatigue. In Chinese medicine, it is also considered a remedy for digestive problems, vomiting, and bloody sputum, although its effectiveness for these purposes remains unverified. This famously energizing herb has been found to improve abstract thinking, speed up reaction time, and boost resistance to viral infections.

What It Is; Why It Works
Valued as a medicine in China for over 2,000 years, Ginseng was once held in such high esteem that only the emperor was allowed to collect it. It has traditionally been used by elderly Asians to boost physical and mental vitality. Only the root is medicinal.

The active ingredients in Ginseng are a set of compounds called ginsenosides. These complex chemicals have a variety of effects, ranging from stimulation of the nervous system to reduction of blood sugar levels. The herb also has an antioxidant effect, stimulates the immune system, thins the blood, and reduces "bad" cholesterol levels.

Panax ginseng is native to China, but is also cultivated in Korea, Japan, and Russia. An almost identical plant, Panax quinquefolius, grows in the United States and was, in fact, exported to China during the 18th Century.

Avoid If...
No known medical conditions preclude the use of Ginseng, but people with heart and circulation problems should use it with care. Caution is also advisable if you have hypertension, since overuse of the herb can cause an increase in blood pressure. Because of its effects on blood sugar, people with diabetes should be cautious as well.

Special Cautions:
At customary dosage levels, side effects are unlikely. Breast pain and postmenopausal vaginal bleeding have occasionally been reported. Other possible side effects include insomnia, headaches, nervousness, nosebleeds, and vomiting. Overuse of the herb, especially in combination with caffeine, can result in Ginseng abuse syndrome.

Possible Drug Interactions:
Because of its blood-thinning effects, Ginseng should not be combined with anticoagulant drugs such as Coumadin, or with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs that tend to cause bleeding, including Aleve, Anaprox, Indocin, Motrin, Naprosyn, and Orudis. Be cautious, too, when taking the herb with insulin or other diabetes drugs. The combination could lead to an excessive drop in blood sugar levels.

There have been reports of headache, tremors, and mania when Ginseng is taken with the antidepressant drug Nardil. Many Ginseng products may also interfere with certain water pills. Check with your doctor before combining Ginseng with this type of drug.

Special Information:
If You Are Pregnant or Breastfeeding, Ginseng is capable of affecting a developing baby. It's best to avoid it during pregnancy and breastfeeding.