What are the effects of ginseng?
The use of the roots of Korean or real ginseng (Panax ginseng) is medically recognized in the following cases:
- in cases of declining mental and physical performance (e.g. with symptoms such as weakness, exhaustion, lack of concentration)
- during the recovery phase (convalescence) after an illness
In Asian folk medicine, the medicinal root is used for many other ailments besides those mentioned above. For example, ginseng is said to strengthen the immune system and slow down the ageing process.
The medicinal plant is also said to be effective for various health problems and illnesses, such as respiratory diseases, cardiovascular diseases, depression, anxiety, erectile dysfunction (impotence) and hot flushes during the menopause. However, the effectiveness of ginseng in these cases has not yet been sufficiently investigated and proven.
Ingredients of ginseng
The main active ingredients of ginseng roots are the so-called ginsenosides (triterpene saponins of the dammaran type). Other ingredients include essential oil, polyacetylenes, phenolcarboxylic acids and polysaccharides.
How is ginseng used?
To make a cup of ginseng tea, pour about 150 milliliters of boiling water over two grams of dried and finely chopped root. After steeping for five to ten minutes, strain the tea and drink it. You can drink a cup several times a day for three to four weeks (daily dose: three to six grams of medicinal drug).
Home remedies based on medicinal plants have their limits. If your symptoms persist over a longer period of time and do not improve or even get worse despite treatment, you should always consult a doctor.
Ready-made preparations with ginseng
Various ready-made preparations (such as ginseng tablets or capsules) are more commonly used than ginseng tea. For good efficacy and tolerability, you should always use high-quality preparations. Some known ginseng side effects have mostly been observed in connection with the poor pharmaceutical quality of the preparations used.
In addition, the effective ginsenosides in cheap preparations are usually underdosed or they are counterfeits that contain no ginseng at all. You should therefore only use high-quality preparations. For correct use and dosage, please read the package leaflet or ask your doctor or pharmacist.
What side effects can ginseng cause?
Occasionally insomnia occurs. Allergic skin reactions are possible with prolonged use. In addition, in individual cases the use of dietary supplements with ginseng has caused side effects such as loss of appetite, diarrhea, itching, skin rash, headaches, dizziness, vaginal bleeding, absence of menstruation, palpitations, increase or decrease in blood pressure or water retention in the tissue (edema).
What you should bear in mind when using ginseng
Due to the lack of studies on long-term effects, you should not use ginseng root for longer than a maximum of three months. After a break of at least two months, you can take preparations of the medicinal plant again.
The medicinal plant should not be used during pregnancy and breastfeeding or in children. There are no scientific studies on the safety of this.
There are indications that ginseng root influences blood sugar levels and blood pressure. If you suffer from diabetes or high blood pressure, you should therefore consult your doctor before using the medicinal plant.
How to obtain ginseng and its products
You can obtain dried ginseng root and various ready-to-use preparations (such as capsules, coated tablets and tonics) from your pharmacy and well-stocked health food stores. Read the enclosed product information for information on how to use the preparations and the dosage, or ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Interesting facts about ginseng
Korean or true ginseng (Panax ginseng) is native to East Asia. Its relatives are Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus), Chinese ginseng (Panax pseudoginseng) and American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius). According to their names, they are found in Russia, China and America. The roots of all four species are used medicinally, with Panax ginseng having the greatest effect.
True ginseng is a perennial herbaceous plant that grows up to 80 centimetres tall and bears four long, five-fingered leaves in a terminal whorl. The flowers are small, white-greenish and arranged in umbels. The spindle-shaped root with a split tip, which resembles a human form, is used medicinally.
