American Ginseng - Usage, Dosage, Side-Effects of American Ginseng

How to Take It

Pediatric

This herb is not recommended for use in children because of its stimulant properties.

Adult

• Dried root: 500 to 2000 mg daily (can be purchased in 250 mg capsules).
• Tea/infusion: Pour 1 cup boiling water over 1 tsp finely chopped ginseng root. Steep for 5 to 10 minutes. Prepare and drink one to three times daily for three or four weeks.
• Tincture (1:5): 1 to 2 teaspoons
• Liquid extract (1:1): ¼ to ½ teaspoon
• Standardized extract (4% total ginsenosides): 100 mg twice daily

In healthy individuals who wish to increase physical or mental performance, to prevent illness, or to improve resistance to stress, ginseng should be taken in one of the above dosages for two to three weeks, followed by a break of two weeks.

For help recovering from an illness, the elderly should take 500 mg twice daily for three months. Alternatively, they may take the same dosage (500 mg twice daily) for a month, followed by a two-month break. This can then be repeated if desired.

Precautions

The use of herbs is a time-honored approach to strengthening the body and treating disease. Herbs, however, contain active substances that can trigger side effects and interact with other herbs, supplements, or medications. For these reasons, herbs should be taken with care, under the supervision of a practitioner knowledgeable in the field of botanical medicine.

Both American and Asian ginsengs are stimulants and may cause nervousness or sleeplessness, particularly if taken at high doses. Other reported side effects include high blood pressure, insomnia, restlessness, anxiety, euphoria, diarrhea, vomiting, headache, nosebleed, breast pain, and vaginal bleeding. To avoid hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), even in non-diabetics, ginseng should be taken with food.

The American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) rates ginseng as a class 2d herb, which indicates that specific restrictions apply. In this case, hypertension (high blood pressure) is the specific restriction. People with hypertension should not take ginseng products without specific guidance and instruction from a qualified practitioner. At the same time, people with low blood pressure as well as those with an acute illness or diabetes (because of the risk of a sudden drop in blood sugar), should use caution when taking ginseng.

Safety of taking ginseng during pregnancy is unknown; therefore, it is not recommended when pregnant or breast feeding.

Ginseng should be discontinued at least 7 days prior to surgery. This is for two reasons. First, ginseng can lower blood glucose levels and, therefore, create problems for patients fasting prior to surgery. Also, ginseng may act as a blood thinner, thereby increasing the risk of bleeding during or after the procedure.

Possible Interactions

If you are currently being treated with any of the following medications, you should not use ginseng without first talking to your healthcare provider:

Blood Thinning Medications

There have been reports that ginseng may possibly decrease the effectiveness of the blood-thinning medication, warfarin. In addition, ginseng may inhibit platelet activity and, therefore, should probably not be used with aspirin either.

Caffeine

While taking ginseng, it is wise to avoid caffeine or other substances that stimulate the central nervous system because the ginseng may increase their effects, possibly causing nervousness, sweating, insomnia, or irregular heartbeat.

Ginseng and Haloperidol

Ginseng may exaggerate the effects of this anti-psychotic medication, so they should not be taken together.

Morphine

Ginseng may block the pain killing effects of morphine.

Phenelzine and other MAOIs for Depression

There have been reports of a possible interaction between ginseng and the antidepressant medication, phenelzine (which belongs to a class known as monoamine oxidase inhibitors [MAOIs]), resulting in symptoms ranging from manic-like episodes to headache and tremulousness.

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