Ginseng (Panax ginseng)
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- Female Reproductive
- 4 conditions
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Overview
Asian or Korean ginseng (Panax ginseng) is a perennial reaching about 3 ft (1 m) in height, with toothed oval leaves and a cluster of small green-yellow flowers. Its root is legendary in traditional medicine as an adaptogen, taken for energy, stamina, aging and stress. NCCIH says most studies have been small and short, and that most research shows it does not improve athletic performance. Red ginseng is steamed before drying.
Traditional uses & properties
Adaptogen & Tonic: Used as an adaptogen in traditional medicine and promoted for stress and fatigue; NCCIH says Asian ginseng alone may have a small benefit for general fatigue, but not all research agrees. Immunity: Promoted for flu; NCCIH says a very small amount of preliminary research suggests it may help reduce the risk of the flu but not the severity or length of symptoms. Sexual Health: NCCIH says some research shows that oral Asian ginseng seems to improve sexual function in people with erectile dysfunction. Mood & Stress (traditional use): Used as a calming agent in traditional Chinese medicine; NCCIH says there is not enough reliable information to say whether it helps anxiety.
Safety & precautions
Signs of Heat or Acute Inflammation: Not advised in high fevers, acute illnesses, or inflammatory states. Blood-Thinning Medications: Seek professional advice as ginseng can interact with them. Duration: NCCIH says questions have been raised about its long-term safety. Avoid excessive caffeine while taking it; can cause insomnia and hypertension. Pregnancy: Avoid use.
Educational reference only - not medical advice. Herbs can interact with medications. Consult a qualified healthcare provider before use. Full disclaimer.
Drug interactions
NCCIH says Asian ginseng may interact with some medicines. LiverTox notes it may cause significant herb-drug interactions even though it is not itself a likely cause of liver injury. [1, 2]
- Diabetes medicines
- NCCIH notes ginseng might lower blood sugar. MSK says it may strengthen insulin and sulfonylureas, and ODS says combining it with diabetes drugs might raise the chance of low blood sugar. [1, 3, 4]
- Warfarin
- Findings are mixed. MSK describes the studies as inconsistent, and a 2000 review cited one case of reduced warfarin effect in a person taking ginseng. [3, 5]
- MAO inhibitors
- MSK notes reports of manic-like symptoms with this combination. [3]
- Imatinib and raltegravir
- Single case reports cited by MSK describe liver toxicity with imatinib and raised raltegravir levels. [3]
- Immunosuppressants and stimulants
- ODS says ginseng might weaken immunosuppressants and add to side effects of stimulants. [4]
How to read this section: each entry is HerbMate's summary of what the cited sources report. Words such as "may", "theoretical" or "in laboratory or animal studies" mean the effect has not been confirmed in people, and "case report" means it was seen in one or a few patients. A medicine that is not listed here has not been shown to be safe with this herb. The numbers in brackets link to the sources at the foot of the page.
Habitat
Native to northeastern China, eastern Russia, and North Korea, ginseng is now very rare in the wild. It requires well-drained, rich soil and skillful cultivation, taking at least 4 years to mature. The roots are often harvested in autumn, then steamed and dried (producing red ginseng) or simply peeled and dried (white ginseng).
Sources
The interaction notes and the statements on this page that name a source were written by HerbMate from these references, which were last checked in October 2026. They are summaries, not medical advice; ask a pharmacist about your own medicines.
- NCCIH (NIH): Asian Ginseng
- LiverTox (NIDDK, NIH): Ginseng
- Memorial Sloan Kettering, About Herbs: Ginseng (Asian)
- NIH Office of Dietary Supplements: Dietary Supplements for Immune Function and Infectious Diseases
- Vaes LP, Chyka PA. Interactions of warfarin with garlic, ginger, ginkgo, or ginseng: nature of the evidence. Ann Pharmacother, 2000 (PubMed 11144706)
Traditionally used for
- Low Sex Drive4 herbs · 2 free
- Erectile Disfunction6 herbs · 2 free
- Premature Ejaculation3 herbs · 2 free
- Stress13 herbs · 2 free
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Frequently asked questions
What is Ginseng (Panax ginseng) traditionally used for?
Traditional sources describe Ginseng (Panax ginseng) as follows: Adaptogen & Tonic: Used as an adaptogen in traditional medicine and promoted for stress and fatigue; NCCIH says Asian ginseng alone may have a small benefit for general fatigue, but not all research agrees. Immunity: Promoted for flu; NCCIH says a very small amount of preliminary research suggests it may help reduce the risk of the flu but not the severity or length of symptoms. Sexual Health: NCCIH says some research shows that oral Asian ginseng seems to improve sexual function in people with erectile dysfunction. Mood & Stress (traditional use): Used as a calming agent in traditional Chinese medicine; NCCIH says there is not enough reliable information to say whether it helps anxiety.
What safety cautions apply to Ginseng (Panax ginseng)?
Signs of Heat or Acute Inflammation: Not advised in high fevers, acute illnesses, or inflammatory states. Blood-Thinning Medications: Seek professional advice as ginseng can interact with them. Duration: NCCIH says questions have been raised about its long-term safety. Avoid excessive caffeine while taking it; can cause insomnia and hypertension. Pregnancy: Avoid use.
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