Panax Ginseng Interactions Overview

Check For Interactions With Panax Ginseng

Panax Ginseng

Also known as
  • Asian Ginseng
  • Asiatic Ginseng
  • Chinese Ginseng
  • Chinese Red Ginseng
  • Ginseng
  • Ginseng Asiatique
  • Ginseng Blanc
  • Ginseng Blanc de Corée
  • Ginseng Chinois
  • Ginseng Coréen
  • Ginseng Coréen Rouge
  • Ginseng de Corée
  • Ginseng Japonais
  • Ginseng Oriental
  • Ginseng Panax
Panax Ginseng Panax ginseng is commonly referred to as 'Asian ginseng' and is not to be confused with 'American Ginseng'. It is a slow-growing plant native to eastern Asia and has been used for a variety of purposes, including to boost energy and improve overall health. The root of the Panax ginseng plant is the part that is typically used in medicine. Panax ginseng is often classified as an 'adaptogen', which is theorized to help the body adapt to stress, both physical and psychological.
There are 1074 drugs known to interact with Panax Ginseng

Additional Details

Is Asian Ginseng Safe? Are There Any Warnings?

Asian Ginseng is generally considered safe when used orally and appropriately for a short period of time, typically up to 6 months. However, there's some concern about its long-term safety due to possible hormone-like effects. It's advised to limit continuous use to less than 6 months. There's insufficient reliable information about the safety of topical use. It's important to note that Panax ginseng is likely unsafe when used orally in infants and is possibly unsafe during pregnancy due to potential teratogenic effects.

How Does Asian Ginseng Work? What Is the Mechanism of Action?

Asian Ginseng, also known as Panax ginseng, is thought to work through its active constituents called ginsenosides. These ginsenosides have various effects on the body, such as improving cognitive function, sexual function, and reducing fatigue. In middle-aged individuals, oral Panax ginseng seems to enhance abstract thinking, attention, arithmetic skills, and reaction time. It's also been observed to improve sexual function in individuals with erectile dysfunction and reduce the risk of developing influenza. However, its effectiveness can vary depending on the condition being treated.

Pharmacokinetics

When taken orally, ginsenosides from Asian Ginseng have a low bioavailability in humans. They undergo transformation by intestinal microflora, which improves their absorption. For instance, ginsenosides like Rb1, Rb2, and Rc are converted into a compound known as ginsenoside compound K, which is better absorbed. The elimination half-life of ginsenoside compound K is about 10.2 hours after oral consumption.

Interaction Overview

Asian Ginseng can interact with various drugs and substances. It may moderately interact with anticoagulant/antiplatelet drugs, antidiabetes drugs, caffeine, drugs metabolized by CYP1A1, CYP2D6, or CYP3A4 enzymes, estrogen-containing products, and more. It's important to be cautious when using Asian Ginseng alongside these substances, as interactions can affect their effectiveness or lead to adverse effects.

Common Side Effects to Watch For

When used orally, common side effects of Asian Ginseng can include insomnia. Rare but serious adverse effects may include anaphylaxis, arrhythmia, ischemia, and Stevens-Johnson syndrome.

Are Supplements Standardized?

Panax ginseng supplements are often standardized to contain specific amounts of ginsenosides, the active compounds. The concentration of ginsenosides can vary widely, usually ranging from 1% to 80%. However, the actual contents of commercial products can differ, with some containing little or no actual Panax ginseng.

What Is Asian Ginseng Typically Used For?

Asian Ginseng is possibly effective for enhancing cognitive function in middle-aged individuals, improving sexual function in people with erectile dysfunction, and reducing the risk of developing influenza. It's also been suggested to help with multiple sclerosis-related fatigue, sexual arousal in postmenopausal adults or females with sexual dysfunction, and improving quality of life in cancer patients. However, its effectiveness for many other conditions remains uncertain due to insufficient evidence. Always consult with a healthcare professional before using Asian Ginseng for any specific purpose.

Drugs that interact with Panax Ginseng

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Parts of this content are provided by the Therapeutic Research Center, LLC.

DISCLAIMER: Currently this does not check for drug-drug interactions. This is not an all-inclusive comprehensive list of potential interactions and is for informational purposes only. Not all interactions are known or well-reported in the scientific literature, and new interactions are continually being reported. Input is needed from a qualified healthcare provider including a pharmacist before starting any therapy. Application of clinical judgment is necessary.

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