American Ginseng Ingredients & Drug Interactions
What is this page for?
First and foremost: checking American Ginseng against your medications. The heart of this page is the interaction checker and the full interaction report — how this product’s ingredients may interact with prescription and over-the-counter medicines you may be taking.
Around that, we add a pharmacist’s high-level view of the product as a whole — what’s inside, the evidence for its stated use, how transparent the label is, and what safety data exists — so you can see the full picture in one place. It’s educational information from our licensed clinical databases and the clinical staff at HelloPharmacist — not medical advice — and we don’t sell or endorse products. Our editorial policy
American Ginseng is a dietary supplement by Root To Health with 1 active ingredient. Its ingredients are commonly taken for stress and energy support, immune support and colds, blood sugar management.Based on those ingredients, 217 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated major. The ingredients most likely to interact are American Ginseng. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.
Check Your Meds Against American Ginseng by Root To Health
Ask about any prescription or over-the-counter medication and we check it for interactions with American Ginseng by Root To Health — and tell you which ingredient is responsible.
AI summaries are generated from our interaction database for education only — always confirm with your pharmacist. How we use AI
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HelloPharmacist Scorecard of American Ginseng by Root To Health
Our pharmacy team’s full take, with four database checks built into the cards below — a summary of what is known, not a grade of the product itself.
What’s inside
Full disclosure
This product contains one active ingredient: American ginseng. The capsules also hold gelatin and water as inactive ingredients to hold everything together.
Does it work?
Moderate evidence
American ginseng is possibly effective for upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs)—the common cold and similar infections. For anemia of chronic disease and breast cancer, the evidence we hold isn't solid enough to know whether it works.
How safe is it?
Well-documented data
American ginseng is generally well tolerated for short-term use in healthy adults, but there's a catch: quality and dosing vary widely among products, and long-term safety hasn't been well studied. Headache has been reported by some users.
During pregnancy, the safety data advises against it—we don't have enough information to know it's safe, and some lab research raises concern. While breastfeeding, too little is known about safety, so avoidance is the safer choice.
Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you're pregnant or nursing and considering this supplement.
Meds to double-check
Major interaction found
Check your exact medications before starting, especially if you take warfarin or any blood thinner, diabetes medications, immunosuppressants, or MAOIs. These are the main drug types to watch.
The bottom line
Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with some supporting evidence for its stated purpose. Major medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.
If you're healthy and want to try American ginseng for a cold, it may help—but don't take it if you're on warfarin, diabetes drugs, immunosuppressants, or an MAOI without checking first. Avoid it during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Run your medications through our checker before you start.
Educational only — not medical advice; always confirm with your pharmacist. Our editorial policy · How we use AI
Assessment coverage: 1 of 1 active ingredient matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Dec 23, 2011.
This Scorecard evaluates available label information, ingredient evidence, and known medication-safety considerations. It does not independently verify product identity, purity, potency, contamination, or manufacturing quality. How these ratings are computed
General information
Key facts about American Ginseng, straight from the product label.
| Brand | Root To Health |
|---|---|
| Barcode (UPC) | 053181010009 |
| Net contents | 50 Capsule(s) |
| Market status | On market |
| Date entered into DSLD | Dec 23, 2011 |
| DSLD ID | 3000 |
| Product type | Botanical |
| Supplement form | Capsule |
| Dietary claims / uses | Structure/Function |
| Intended target group(s) | Adult (18 - 50 Years) |
Everything in this section is reproduced from the manufacturer’s own product label — it’s the label speaking, not HelloPharmacist. We show it so you can see exactly what the maker states; we don’t verify or endorse those statements.
Supplement Facts
The label details for American Ginseng by Root To Health, sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database.
Tap any ingredient to jump to its full detail below.
These statements are the manufacturer’s wording, reproduced from the product label — the label is saying it, not HelloPharmacist. We don’t verify or endorse them.
FDA Statement of Identity
Herbal Supplement
Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions
Directions: 2-4 capsules daily.
FDA Disclaimer Statement
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
General Statements
American ginseng is truely "Something Special From Wisconsin". American ginseng is highly regarded as a potent tonic by the Chinese who will pay several months income for one pound. The Orient has traditionally used American ginseng to help regulate stres
Each (capsule) 500 mg
Made in USA
Net Wt. 25g (.88oz)
Stimulates Energy and Helps Reduce Stress*
Brand IP Statement(s)
HSU's Root to Health
Seals/Symbols
American Ginseng Grown in Wisconsin, USA
Is this label outdated? Report a formula or label change and our pharmacy team will review it.
American Ginseng by Root To Health label
The label scan from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database. Tap to enlarge.
Label images are published by the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database for the version of this product on file. Always read your actual product label.
View the full label (PDF)The Ingredients in American Ginseng by Root To Health
This is the 1 active ingredient this product is made of. Select it to open its full monograph.
Serving size2 Capsule(s) Dosage formCapsule Servings per container50 Amounts shown are per serving.
American Ginseng
Interacts with217 drugs
American ginseng is an herbal root used as an 'adaptogen' to support energy, stress, immune function, and blood sugar. Some uses—such as reducing the...
American Ginseng monograph & interactionsOther (inactive) ingredients: Gelatin, Water. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.
American Ginseng by Root To Health Drug Interactions
HelloPharmacist Interaction Report
Root To Health American Ginseng does interact with medications, and the most serious concern is with warfarin (Coumadin), a blood thinner.
American ginseng seems to reduce how well warfarin works by lowering your INR (a measure of blood clotting), which could put you at risk if you rely on that drug to prevent clots.
Read the full breakdown — every affected drug type, severity by severity
You'll also want to check before combining this with diabetes medications, immunosuppressants (drugs that tamp down your immune system after transplants or for certain conditions), or MAOIs (a type of antidepressant). American ginseng may enhance blood sugar lowering, raising the risk of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), and it might weaken immunosuppressant therapy.
With MAOIs, there are scattered reports of insomnia, headache, tremors, and mood changes, though these come from small case reports.
Altogether, these interactions span 212 individual medications. Please use the medication checker on this page to look up your exact prescriptions before you start.
Check your own medications below · Editorial policy · How we use AI
Want to check YOUR meds against American Ginseng?
Ask about interactions with your drugs in plain English — “Can I take it with lisinopril?” — and we find you the answer in seconds, ingredient by ingredient.
Go to the checkerIngredients driving the most interactions
Individual Drug Interactions
The ingredients in American Ginseng interact with 217 drugs. Click any drug to see the details.
1 of the 1 ingredient in American Ginseng interact with drugs. Each result below shows which ingredient is responsible. American Ginseng
6-mercaptopurinePurinethol
How 6-mercaptopurine interacts with American Ginseng — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
American GinsengImmunosuppressants Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, American ginseng use might interfere with immunosuppressive therapy.
Read the full American Ginseng + 6-mercaptopurine interactionAbrocitinibCibinqo
How Abrocitinib interacts with American Ginseng — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
American GinsengImmunosuppressants Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, American ginseng use might interfere with immunosuppressive therapy.
Read the full American Ginseng + Abrocitinib interactionAcarboseGlucobay, Prandase, Precose
How Acarbose interacts with American Ginseng — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
American GinsengAntidiabetes Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, taking American ginseng with antidiabetes drugs might increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Read the full American Ginseng + Acarbose interactionAcetohexamideDymelor
How Acetohexamide interacts with American Ginseng — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
American GinsengAntidiabetes Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, taking American ginseng with antidiabetes drugs might increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Read the full American Ginseng + Acetohexamide interactionAdalimumabHumira
How Adalimumab interacts with American Ginseng — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
American GinsengImmunosuppressants Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, American ginseng use might interfere with immunosuppressive therapy.
Read the full American Ginseng + Adalimumab interactionAdalimumab-adazHyrimoz
How Adalimumab-adaz interacts with American Ginseng — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
American GinsengImmunosuppressants Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, American ginseng use might interfere with immunosuppressive therapy.
Read the full American Ginseng + Adalimumab-adaz interactionAdalimumab-adbmCyltezo
How Adalimumab-adbm interacts with American Ginseng — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
American GinsengImmunosuppressants Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, American ginseng use might interfere with immunosuppressive therapy.
Read the full American Ginseng + Adalimumab-adbm interactionAdalimumab-afzbAbrilada
How Adalimumab-afzb interacts with American Ginseng — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
American GinsengImmunosuppressants Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, American ginseng use might interfere with immunosuppressive therapy.
Read the full American Ginseng + Adalimumab-afzb interactionAdalimumab-attoAmjevita
How Adalimumab-atto interacts with American Ginseng — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
American GinsengImmunosuppressants Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, American ginseng use might interfere with immunosuppressive therapy.
Read the full American Ginseng + Adalimumab-atto interactionAdalimumab-bwwdHadlima
How Adalimumab-bwwd interacts with American Ginseng — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
American GinsengImmunosuppressants Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, American ginseng use might interfere with immunosuppressive therapy.
Read the full American Ginseng + Adalimumab-bwwd interactionAdalimumab-fkjpHulio
How Adalimumab-fkjp interacts with American Ginseng — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
American GinsengImmunosuppressants Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, American ginseng use might interfere with immunosuppressive therapy.
Read the full American Ginseng + Adalimumab-fkjp interactionAlbiglutideTanzeum
How Albiglutide interacts with American Ginseng — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
American GinsengAntidiabetes Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, taking American ginseng with antidiabetes drugs might increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Read the full American Ginseng + Albiglutide interactionAlefaceptAmevive
How Alefacept interacts with American Ginseng — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
American GinsengImmunosuppressants Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, American ginseng use might interfere with immunosuppressive therapy.
Read the full American Ginseng + Alefacept interactionAlemtuzumabCampath
How Alemtuzumab interacts with American Ginseng — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
American GinsengImmunosuppressants Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, American ginseng use might interfere with immunosuppressive therapy.
Read the full American Ginseng + Alemtuzumab interactionAlogliptinNesina
How Alogliptin interacts with American Ginseng — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
American GinsengAntidiabetes Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, taking American ginseng with antidiabetes drugs might increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Read the full American Ginseng + Alogliptin interactionAlogliptin, MetforminKazano
How Alogliptin, Metformin interacts with American Ginseng — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
American GinsengAntidiabetes Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, taking American ginseng with antidiabetes drugs might increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Read the full American Ginseng + Alogliptin, Metformin interactionAlogliptin, PioglitazoneOseni
How Alogliptin, Pioglitazone interacts with American Ginseng — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
American GinsengAntidiabetes Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, taking American ginseng with antidiabetes drugs might increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Read the full American Ginseng + Alogliptin, Pioglitazone interactionAmphetamineAdensys XR-ODT, Adzenys ER, Dyanavel XR, Mydayis
How Amphetamine interacts with American Ginseng — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
American GinsengMonoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (maois) Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, American ginseng can interfere with MAOI therapy.
Read the full American Ginseng + Amphetamine interactionAnifrolumab-fniaSaphnelo
How Anifrolumab-fnia interacts with American Ginseng — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
American GinsengImmunosuppressants Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, American ginseng use might interfere with immunosuppressive therapy.
Read the full American Ginseng + Anifrolumab-fnia interactionAntidiabetes, Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 (dpp-iv) InhibitorGlyxambi
How Antidiabetes, Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 (dpp-iv) Inhibitor interacts with American Ginseng — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
American GinsengAntidiabetes Drugs Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, taking American ginseng with antidiabetes drugs might increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Read the full American Ginseng + Antidiabetes, Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 (dpp-iv) Inhibitor interactionAntithymocyte GlobulinThymoglobulin
How Antithymocyte Globulin interacts with American Ginseng — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
American GinsengImmunosuppressants Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, American ginseng use might interfere with immunosuppressive therapy.
Read the full American Ginseng + Antithymocyte Globulin interactionAtezolizumabTecentriq
How Atezolizumab interacts with American Ginseng — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
American GinsengImmunosuppressants Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, American ginseng use might interfere with immunosuppressive therapy.
Read the full American Ginseng + Atezolizumab interactionAzamuneImmunoprin
How Azamune interacts with American Ginseng — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
American GinsengImmunosuppressants Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, American ginseng use might interfere with immunosuppressive therapy.
Read the full American Ginseng + Azamune interactionAzathioprineAzamune, Imuran
How Azathioprine interacts with American Ginseng — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
American GinsengImmunosuppressants Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, American ginseng use might interfere with immunosuppressive therapy.
Read the full American Ginseng + Azathioprine interactionBasiliximabSimulect
How Basiliximab interacts with American Ginseng — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
American GinsengImmunosuppressants Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, American ginseng use might interfere with immunosuppressive therapy.
Read the full American Ginseng + Basiliximab interactionBeclometasone DipropionateBecotide
How Beclometasone Dipropionate interacts with American Ginseng — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
American GinsengImmunosuppressants Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, American ginseng use might interfere with immunosuppressive therapy.
Read the full American Ginseng + Beclometasone Dipropionate interactionBeclomethasoneBeclovent, Vanceril
How Beclomethasone interacts with American Ginseng — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
American GinsengImmunosuppressants Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, American ginseng use might interfere with immunosuppressive therapy.
Read the full American Ginseng + Beclomethasone interactionBeclomethasone DipropionateQNASL, Qvar
How Beclomethasone Dipropionate interacts with American Ginseng — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
American GinsengImmunosuppressants Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, American ginseng use might interfere with immunosuppressive therapy.
Read the full American Ginseng + Beclomethasone Dipropionate interactionBetamethasoneCelestone, Diprolene AF, Diprosone
How Betamethasone interacts with American Ginseng — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
American GinsengImmunosuppressants Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, American ginseng use might interfere with immunosuppressive therapy.
Read the full American Ginseng + Betamethasone interactionBetamethasone DipropionateSernivo
How Betamethasone Dipropionate interacts with American Ginseng — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
American GinsengImmunosuppressants Moderate
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, American ginseng use might interfere with immunosuppressive therapy.
Read the full American Ginseng + Betamethasone Dipropionate interactionEach ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects
For each ingredient in American Ginseng with known interactions, here are the types of medications it can affect. Open any type for the detail — or search your exact drug in the checker above.
American Ginseng
Warfarin (Coumadin)
American ginseng seems to decrease the effectiveness of warfarin therapy.
Healthy patients receiving warfarin 5 mg daily, who also take American ginseng 1 gram twice daily, seem to have a significantly reduced international normalized ratio (INR).
Antidiabetes Drugs
Theoretically, taking American ginseng with antidiabetes drugs might increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
American ginseng seems to lower postprandial blood glucose. Theoretically, concomitant use with antidiabetes drugs might enhance blood glucose lowering effects and possibly cause hypoglycemia.
Immunosuppressants
Theoretically, American ginseng use might interfere with immunosuppressive therapy.
American ginseng seems to stimulate immune function. Theoretically, American ginseng might decrease the effectiveness of immunosuppressant drugs.
Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (Maois)
Theoretically, American ginseng can interfere with MAOI therapy.
There is one case report of insomnia, headache, and tremors when an unspecified ginseng product was used with phenelzine (Nardil), an MAOI. There is also one case report of hypomania when an unspecified ginseng product was used with phenelzine. Theoretically, American ginseng may interfere with MAOI therapy.
Brand information
Manufacturer and brand details for American Ginseng, from the product label.
Root To Health
See all Root To Health products- Name
- Hsu's Ginseng Enterprises, Inc.
- Street Address
- PO Box 509
- City
- Wausau
- State
- WI
- ZipCode
- 54402-0509
- Phone Number
- 1-800-826-1577
- Web Address
- www.hsuginseng.com
American Ginseng by Root To Health: Common Questions
Does American Ginseng by Root To Health interact with any medications?
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Where does this information come from?
Does American ginseng really help with colds?
What side effects has been reported?
Can I take this while pregnant or breastfeeding?
What is American ginseng used for?
I take warfarin for blood clots. Can I use this?
Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy
Not sure if American Ginseng is safe with your meds?
Our pharmacists answer your medication & supplement questions — free.
Label information is sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database and reflects the product version on file; always read your actual product label. This page is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Confirm with your pharmacist or doctor before combining supplements and medications.
The Full Monographs Behind American Ginseng’s Ingredients
Every ingredient we hold a full HelloPharmacist monograph for — uses, evidence, safety, and the complete interaction list.
Sources & How We Checked
American Ginseng's label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database; the ingredient interaction data is from the Natural Medicines database, reviewed by our pharmacists.
- NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database (DSLD) — The official product label on file for this supplement.
- Natural Medicines (Therapeutic Research Center) — Evidence-graded clinical reference behind the ingredient interaction data.
Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists. See our data sources and editorial standards for how this information is built and checked.
The 12 references behind this product’s interaction data
Every citation that drives the interaction findings for this product’s ingredients, from the evidence-graded Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) database. Open an ingredient to browse its citations — links open the study on PubMed or the publisher’s site.
American Ginseng 12 references
- Shader RI, Greenblatt DJ. Phenelzine and the dream machine-ramblings and reflections. J Clin Psychopharmacol 1985;5:65. PubMed
- Jones BD, Runikis AM. Interaction of ginseng with phenelzine. J Clin Psychopharmacol 1987;7:201-2. PubMed
- Janetzky K, Morreale AP. Probable interaction between warfarin and ginseng. Am J Health Syst Pharm 1997;54:692-3. PubMed
- Vuksan V, Sievenpiper JL, Koo VY, et al. American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius L) reduces postprandial glycemia in nondiabetic subjects and subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Arch Intern Med 2000;160:1009-13. PubMed
- Vuksan V, Stavro MP, Sievenpiper JL, et al. Similar postprandial glycemic reductions with escalation of dose and administration time of American ginseng in type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Care 2000;23:1221-6. PubMed
- Chan LY, Chiu PY, Lau TK. An in-vitro study of ginsenoside Rb(1)-induced teratogenicity using a whole rat embryo culture model. Hum Reprod 2003;18:2166-8..
- McElhaney JE, Gravenstein S, Cole SK, et al. A Placebo-Controlled Trial of a Proprietary Extract of North American Ginseng (CVT-E002) to Prevent Acute Respiratory Illness in Institutionalized Older Adults. J Am Geriatr Soc 2004;52:13-9. PubMed
- Yuan CS, Wei G, Dey L, et al. American ginseng reduces warfarin's effect in healthy patients: a randomized, controlled trial. Ann Intern Med 2004;141:23-7.
- Predy GN, Goel V, Lovlin R, et al. Efficacy of an extract of North American ginseng containing poly-furanosyl-pyranosyl-saccharides for preventing upper respiratory tract infections: a randomized controlled trial. CMAJ 2005;173:1043-8.. PubMed
- McElhaney JE, Goel V, Toane B, et al. Efficacy of COLD-fX in the prevention of respiratory symptoms in community-dwelling adults: a randomized, double-blinded, placebo controlled trial. J Altern Complement Med 2006;12:153-7. PubMed
- Predy GN, Goel V, Lovlin RE, et al. Immune modulating effects of daily supplementation of COLD-fX (a proprietary extract of North American ginseng) in healthy adults. J Clin Biochem Nutr 2006;39:162-167. DOI
- Stavro PM, Woo M, Leiter LA, et al. Long-term intake of North American ginseng has no effect on 24-hour blood pressure and renal function. Hypertension 2006;47(4):791-6. PubMed
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.
© 2021 Therapeutic Research Center, LLC