Respiratory: Improves lung function, chronic bronchitis, COPD, asthma, hearing loss, cold and flu (esp red)/flu prevention, sinusitis, pneumonia. (Panax)

Cardiovascular: Heart failure, hypertension, Raynauds,

Gastrointestinal: Indigestion, gastritis (inflammation of stomach lining), loss of appetite, liver dysfunction (panax), vomiting, gallstones, bad breath, bloating, constipation, Crohn's, improves digestion

Genitourinary: May help treat infertility and erectile dysfunction - possibly increases testosterone, may increase sexual arousal in women and men (esp. Korean red), decreases symptoms in perimenopause like hot flashes, and decreases menstrual cramps.

Musculoskeletal: May help improve physical endurance, fibromyalgia, joint pain, and arthritis

Skin: Wrinkled skin, decreases hair thinning and breakage, itching, rash

Neurologic: Headache remedy, improves thinking/cognitive function, concentration, memory (Korean/red ginseng/American ginseng), nerve pain, dizziness, fatigue, depression (Panax), Alzheimer's (Panax), Parkinson's, ADD (Korean Red and American). Approved by the German Commission E for fatigue, improved reaction times

Mental Health: Decreases stress, enhances feelings of well-being, antidepressant properties, antipsychotic properties, stimulant -"energizing" (more so with Asian), antianxiety, chronic fatigue, insomnia, ADHD

Glucose: May help decrease blood sugar in type II diabetes (Panax and American ginseng)

Immunity: Boosts immunity (Panax ginseng)

Cancer: Anticancer (liver, lung, skin)-may reduce risks. It may improve the quality of life for those with cancer, and cancer-related fatigue 

Infectious Disease: HIV/AIDS, HSV II (Siberian)

Other: Blood thinner, fever, weight loss, appetite loss, anemia, hangover, slows aging process/increases longevity, mild diuretic, decreases fatigue, cold sensitivity (esp. considered in Raynaud's)(Korean red)

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SIDE EFFECTS: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, anxiety, insomnia, irritabiity, restlessness, mania, increase or decrease in blood pressure, tachycardia (racing heartbeat), palpitations, arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat), palpitations (pounding or a feeling of fluttering), breast pain, vaginal bleeding. liver damage

CAUTION/CONTRAINDICATION Be careful taking with blood pressure medications (may make blood pressure too high or low), contraindicated in those with breast and uterine cancer, uterine fibroids (hormone-sensitive conditions), caution with diabetes, low blood sugar, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, endometriosis, heart problems, central nervous system/brain vasculitis (vessel inflammation), bleeding conditions and blood thinners, organ transplant, insulin, anticoagulants/"blood thinners," alcohol, caffeine, Lasix (?), drugs metabolized by the P450 2D6 (examples: Elavil [Amitriptyline], Prozac, metoprolol, methadone, Ultram, Fentanyl), immunosuppressants, MAO inhibitors

Note: check with your health care provider before taking this or changing types of Gensing: Korean ginseng can interact negatively with some of your medications including blood pressure-lowering medications, statins, blood thinners, immune-suppressing drugs, diabetic medications, water pills (diuretics) and antidepressants can all have diminished or sometimes unsafe enhanced functions when combined with Korean ginseng, the University of Maryland Medical Center explains. Or if you take a stimulant or regularly consume caffeine, Korean ginseng could intensify the effects, making you anxious or jittery. It is recommended that you discuss the use of ginseng with your healthcare provider.

FORMS: Capsules, tea, powder, extracts, elixirs

RECOMMENDED BRANDS

No links available at this time.

DOSAGES: As directed

Reported doses - often NOT supported by evidence (reported by various sources (WebMD, RxList, Epocrates, German Commission E, NIH publications, and others). Read dosages and instructions carefully when available on the label. 

Note: Typically, it is not recommended to use ginseng for more than a few months at a time because of the potential side effects. Some sources recommend that you cycle your ginseng course to avoid tolerance and long-term side effects. For example, you use it for 3 weeks and take one week off, then repeat. Or, 3 months on and one week off, then repeat.

Korean (Asian) Panax - Cognitive function: 200-400 mg by mouth daily

                      Alzheimer's daily: 4.5-9 gm by mouth daily

                      Erectile dysfunction: 1-2.7 gm by mouth daily or 150 mg by mouth daily

                      Flu: 200 mg by mouth daily or  900 mg to 1 gm by mouth three times daily 

*Disclaimer: The material above is for informational purposes only. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat or cure a condition. The uses listed above are tentative; some have or are undergoing research trials, but many are not FDA-approved. It is essential that you investigate these supplements further before deciding to use them. Check interactions and contraindications on sites like Drugs.com or WebMD. Do not attempt to treat a serious condition like liver, kidney problems, high blood pressure, heart, cancer, diabetes, or thyroid issues without discussing it with a healthcare provider first. If you are pregnant, do not use supplements without discussing it with your healthcare provider.