Major interaction on record — check this product against your medications before combining. Check your meds →
Dietary supplement

Ginseng, American Woodsgrown Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Herbs, Etc.

Liquid Category: Botanical
Most serious interaction: Major
The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Major

Ginseng, American Woodsgrown is a dietary supplement by Herbs, Etc. 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 Ginseng. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Ginseng, American Woodsgrown by Herbs, Etc.

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.

From our pharmacy team — supplement deep dive

What’s inside

Low disclosure
Ingredient Transparency · database check
Low

Most active ingredients don't disclose an individual amount — you can't tell how much of each you're getting.

Why this rating?
  • The label discloses an exact amount for 0 of its 1 active ingredient.

This product contains one active ingredient: American ginseng, a plant root traditionally used to support overall wellness. The liquid form also contains 70% grain alcohol and purified water as inactive ingredients.

Does it work?

Moderate evidence
Evidence for Intended Use · database check
By FDA rules, dietary supplements can’t claim to treat, cure, or prevent disease — so labels speak in careful marketing language. We discern each product’s intended use from its name, label claims, and label statements, then grade the clinical evidence for that use. How these ratings are computed

This product doesn't appear to be marketed for a specific use, so we graded American Ginseng's overall clinical evidence instead.

Moderate

Some clinical evidence supports American Ginseng for:

Why this rating?
  • We looked at the product name, claims, and label statements and couldn't find a stated purpose to grade.
  • Since the label doesn't commit to one use, we graded the ingredient's overall clinical evidence instead.
  • On file: Upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) — rated "Possibly Effective" (Natural Medicines).

American ginseng is possibly effective for upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs)—the common cold and similar infections—based on available evidence. For anemia of chronic disease and breast cancer, the evidence isn't established in the data we hold, so we can't say whether it works for those uses.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient American Ginseng

How safe is it?

Well-documented data
Safety Information · database check
Well characterized

Adverse-effect, pregnancy, and general safety data are on file for most of these ingredients.

Why this rating?
  • We hold adverse-effect (side-effect) data for 1 of the 1 matched ingredient.
  • Pregnancy & breastfeeding safety ratings cover 1 of 1.
  • General safety write-ups exist for 1 of 1.
  • Remember: this measures how much safety information exists. Thin data is not the same as being safe.

American ginseng is generally well tolerated in the short term for healthy adults, but quality and dosing vary widely between products, and long-term safety hasn't been well studied. Headache is the adverse effect most commonly reported.

During pregnancy, the safety data advises against use. While breastfeeding, too little is known about safety, so avoidance is the safer choice.

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist before using this product if you're pregnant, planning pregnancy, or breastfeeding.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient American Ginseng

Meds to double-check

Major interaction found
Known Interaction Concern · database check
Major identified

At least one ingredient has a documented Major-severity interaction. Check your medications for a personalized result.

Why this rating?
  • 1 of the 1 matched ingredient can interact with medications — American Ginseng.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Major.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: anticoagulant / antiplatelet drugs; immunosuppressants / transplant drugs; diabetes medications.
  • For scale: 217 individual medications appear in the full list. A big number alone doesn't make a product dangerous — what matters is whether YOUR medication is on it, so run yours through the interaction checker on this page.

Check your medications against this product if you take warfarin or other blood thinners (Major interaction), immunosuppressants, diabetes drugs, or MAOIs (Moderate interactions). Use the interaction checker on this page with your exact medications before you start.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFormula with limited ingredient disclosure with some supporting evidence behind its ingredients' uses. Major medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

American ginseng may help with cold symptoms, but it's a product to check carefully against your medications first—especially blood thinners, diabetes drugs, and certain psychiatric medicines. If you take warfarin or immunosuppressants, talk to your pharmacist before adding this.

Avoid it during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

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 Sep 25, 2015.

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

At a glance

General information

Key facts about Ginseng, American Woodsgrown, straight from the product label.

Brand Herbs, Etc.
Net contents 8 fl. Oz.; 236 mL
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Sep 25, 2015
DSLD ID 50286
Product type Botanical
Supplement form Liquid
Dietary claims / uses No Claim
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years)
From the label
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 Ginseng, American Woodsgrown by Herbs, Etc., sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database.

Supplement Facts

Daily Value (DV) Target Group(s):
Adults and children 4 or more years of age
Minimum serving Sizes:
0 Not Present
Maximum serving Sizes:
0 Not Present
IngredientAmount% DV
Ginseng0 NP--

Other ingredients: 70% Grain Alcohol, purified Water

Tap any ingredient to jump to its full detail below.

Label statements
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.
General Statements

For dispensing purposes only

Herbal Single

Professional strength

Dried root extract

Formula

Panax quinquefolius

FDA Statement of Identity

Fast-Acting Dietary Supplement

General

99089

See for yourself

Ginseng, American Woodsgrown by Herbs, Etc. label

The label scan from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database. Tap to enlarge.

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Ginseng, American Woodsgrown by Herbs, Etc.

This is the 1 active ingredient this product is made of. Select it to open its full monograph.

Serving size0 Not Present Dosage formLiquid Amounts shown are per serving.

Ginseng

Interacts with
217 drugs
0 NP per serving

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...

Ginseng monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: 70% Grain Alcohol, Purified Water. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Ginseng, American Woodsgrown by Herbs, Etc. Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Ginseng, American Woodsgrown?

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 checker
217Drugs
2 Major 215 Moderate

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Ginseng 217

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Ginseng, American Woodsgrown 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.

Ginseng4 drug types · 217 drugs

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).

Likelihood Likely Evidence B
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.

Likelihood Probable Evidence B
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.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
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.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Ginseng, American Woodsgrown, from the product label.

Herbs, Etc.

See all Herbs, Etc. products
Name
Herbs, Etc
Street Address
1340 Rufina Cr.
City
Santa Fe
State
NM
ZipCode
87507
Web Address
www.herbsetc.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Ginseng, American Woodsgrown by Herbs, Etc.: Common Questions

Does Ginseng, American Woodsgrown by Herbs, Etc. interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Ginseng, American Woodsgrown has a known interaction with 217 medications, including 2 rated major. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Ginseng, American Woodsgrown contains a single active ingredient, and that one ingredient can interact with many different medications on its own. We check it against each medication and show the mechanism responsible.
Where does this information come from?
The product label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database (DSLD); the interaction data is built on the Natural Medicines database and reviewed by HelloPharmacist pharmacists.
Will this help me with a cold?
American ginseng is possibly effective for upper respiratory tract infections like colds. It's not a guaranteed cure, but there's some evidence it may help.
What's the liquid made of?
The active ingredient is American ginseng root. The liquid contains 70% grain alcohol and purified water—so it's an alcohol-based extract.
Is it safe if I'm pregnant?
No. The safety data advises against use during pregnancy. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist before taking this if you're pregnant or planning to become pregnant.
Can I breastfeed while taking this?
Too little is known about safety while breastfeeding, so avoidance is the safer choice. Ask your pharmacist or doctor if you're nursing.
What side effects might I get?
Headache is the most commonly reported side effect. American ginseng is generally well tolerated short-term in healthy adults, but long-term safety hasn't been well studied.
Can I take this with my diabetes medication?
Not without talking to your pharmacist first. American ginseng may lower blood sugar, so taking it with diabetes drugs could increase the risk of low blood sugar. Check with your doctor or pharmacist about whether it's safe for you.

Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy

Not sure if Ginseng, American Woodsgrown is safe with your meds?

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Ask a pharmacist

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.

Ginseng, American Woodsgrown label
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Ginseng, American Woodsgrown'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.

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
  1. Shader RI, Greenblatt DJ. Phenelzine and the dream machine-ramblings and reflections. J Clin Psychopharmacol 1985;5:65. PubMed
  2. Jones BD, Runikis AM. Interaction of ginseng with phenelzine. J Clin Psychopharmacol 1987;7:201-2. PubMed
  3. Janetzky K, Morreale AP. Probable interaction between warfarin and ginseng. Am J Health Syst Pharm 1997;54:692-3. PubMed
  4. 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
  5. 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
  6. 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..
  7. 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
  8. 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.
  9. 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
  10. 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
  11. 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
  12. 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

See these in context on the American Ginseng monograph →

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

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