Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsTypesUsesSide EffectsPrecautionsDosageDrug InteractionsSourcesSimilar SupplementsSummaryFAQ
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Types
Uses
Side Effects
Precautions
Dosage
Drug Interactions
Sources
Similar Supplements
Summary
FAQ
American ginseng(Panax quinquefolius)is a medicinal herb with antioxidant benefits that protect against cell damage and inflammation.Supplements containing American ginseng may improve fatigue, boost memory, and reduce the duration of colds and flu, but more research is needed to confirm its benefits.
American ginseng is considered anadaptogen, which some believe can help the body overcome physical, emotional, and environmentalstress. It also contains chemicals calledginsenosides, which may help to lower blood sugar.
In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate supplements the way it regulates prescription drugs. That means some supplement products may not contain what the label says. Whenchoosing a supplement, look for independently tested products and consult a healthcare provider, registered dietitian nutritionist (RD or RDN), or pharmacist.
Types of American Ginseng
American ginseng is a distinctive type of ginseng used in traditional Chinese medicine. American ginseng and Asian ginseng (Panax ginseng) are both considered true ginseng in that they contain an organic chemical calledginsenoside.
Even so, American ginseng has a different chemical makeup and “cooler” yin qualities than Asian ginseng. It is also less stimulating. Because of this, American ginseng is widely exported to Asia where it is highly valued for its cooling and sedative effects.
Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus) is not a true ginseng, It is a small, woody shrub with blackberry-like fruit found in northeastern Asia. While it is also used in traditional Chinese medicine, neither the berries, leaves, stalks, nor roots contain ginsenoside.
Supplement FactsActive ingredient(s):Ginsenosides, polysaccharides, terpenes, phenolic compounds, amino acids,flavonoids, volatile oils, vitamins, and mineralsAlternate name(s):Baie Rouge, Canadian ginseng,Panax quinquefolius,red berryLegal status:Sold over the counter (OTC) in the United StatesSuggested dose:200 to 400 milligrams twice a day for up to six monthsSafety considerations:Not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding or for people with hormone-sensitive cancers; may affect blood sugar, cause insomnia
Supplement Facts
Active ingredient(s):Ginsenosides, polysaccharides, terpenes, phenolic compounds, amino acids,flavonoids, volatile oils, vitamins, and mineralsAlternate name(s):Baie Rouge, Canadian ginseng,Panax quinquefolius,red berryLegal status:Sold over the counter (OTC) in the United StatesSuggested dose:200 to 400 milligrams twice a day for up to six monthsSafety considerations:Not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding or for people with hormone-sensitive cancers; may affect blood sugar, cause insomnia
Uses of American Ginseng
The evidence supporting the health benefits of American ginseng is limited, most of which comes from lab and animal studies. Human trials are lacking.
With that said, a growing body of research suggests that American ginseng may be beneficial in the treatment of fatigue, poor memory,diabetes, and viral respiratory infections likecolds and flu.
Fatigue
Similar results were seen in a 2019 review examing the effects of American ginseng on people withcancer-related fatigue. In this study, the benefit was greatest in people undergoing active treatment, likechemotherapyorradiation.
As an added bonus, American ginseng does not interact with commonly prescribed chemotherapy drugs liketamoxifen, doxorubicin, methotrexate, or fluorouracil.
Memory
Limited evidence suggests that American ginseng may improve cognitive function in some people. This includes the ability to learn, think, reason, and remember.
An unrelated study published in 2012 reported that an American ginseng extract taken twice daily for four weeks improved the working memory of 32 people withschizophreniacompared to a matched set of adults given a placebo.
Diabetes
A 2019 study involving 24 adults with well-controlledtype 2 diabetesshowed that a 3,000 mg dose of American ginseng taken daily helped control blood sugar. At the end of the eight-week study, the people given American ginseng had lowerhemoglobin A1Clevels, fasting blood sugar, andsystolic blood pressurethan those given a placebo.
What Is American Ginseng?
Cold and Flu
According to a 2017 review of studies in theJournal of Complementary and Alternative Medicine, American ginseng may offer protection against common viral respiratory infections like colds and flu.This supported earlier research in which American ginseng appeared to reduce the risk and duration of colds and flu in older adults withweakened immune systems.
A 2020 analysis published inComplementary Therapy and Medicinesuggested that American ginseng may help prevent or treat seasonal respiratory infections in some people, but that the evidence wasn’t strong enough to offer a clear conclusion.
Additional Uses
Preliminary studies have investigated American ginseng for the following conditions:
What Are the Side Effects of American Ginseng?
American ginseng is generally regarded as safe. In clinical trials, doses of 2,000 mg daily were well-tolerated and had the same rate of side effects as a placebo.
Possible side effects include:
The long-term side effects of ginseng use aren’t known.
Some groups of people should take special precautions when using American ginseng and may need to avoid it altogether. These include conditions like:
Dosage: How Much American Ginseng Should I Take?
There is no recommended dosage of American ginseng in any form. Never exceed the recommended dosage on the product label, or ask your healthcare provider for advice.
American ginseng has been studied at the following dosages:
American ginseng may interact with prescription and over-the-counter medications and supplements. These include:
To avoid interactions, tell your healthcare provider if you intend to use any supplement.
Verywell / Anastasia Tretiak
Sources of American Ginseng
American ginseng is an ingredient found in many commercial food products in the United States. It can also be purchased online or in stores in supplement form.
American ginseng is used as an additive in some energy drinks and ginger candies. There are also American ginseng teas sold in grocery stores, supplements stores, and health food shops. Whole dried root and granulated ginseng root can also be used to make teas and tonics.
As a supplement, American ginseng is available as a tablet, capsule, powder, extract, or tincture. Tablets and capsules may be better options than whole root ginseng as you can control the dose.
How to Choose Supplements
Certification does mean that the supplement works or is inherently safe. It simply means that no contaminants were found and that the product contains the ingredients listed on the product label in the correct amounts.
Some other supplements that may improve cognitive function and decrease stress are:
Supplements that have been studied for the treatment or prevention of respiratory viruses like the cold or flu include:
Limited evidence suggests that American ginseng may help improve fatigue, mental function, diabetes, and respiratory infections like the cold and flu. Side effects and drug interactions are possible, and American ginseng can be dangerous if taken during pregnancy, breastfeeding, or in people with schizophrenia or certain cancers.
In some cases, integrative medicine shouldn’t be a substitute for standard medical care. Use first-line treatments, and discuss with your healthcare provider about adding alternatives like American ginseng and other herbal remedies.
Frequently Asked Questions"Ginseng" is the generic name for plants from thegenusPanax(meaning “cure of all diseases”). ThirteenPanaxspecies have been identified, the most common beingPanax ginseng(Korean ginseng) andPanax quinquefolius(American ginseng).Some sources suggest taking American ginseng in the summer because it’s thought to cool the body.However, little scientific evidence supports this.During active treatment,cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT, a form of talk therapy) and hypnosis may be helpful. After treatment, some options that may reduce fatigue includeacupressure, mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, andqigong.
Frequently Asked Questions
“Ginseng” is the generic name for plants from thegenusPanax(meaning “cure of all diseases”). ThirteenPanaxspecies have been identified, the most common beingPanax ginseng(Korean ginseng) andPanax quinquefolius(American ginseng).
Some sources suggest taking American ginseng in the summer because it’s thought to cool the body.However, little scientific evidence supports this.
During active treatment,cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT, a form of talk therapy) and hypnosis may be helpful. After treatment, some options that may reduce fatigue includeacupressure, mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, andqigong.
16 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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MedlinePlus.American ginseng.
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Mancuso C, Santangelo R.Panax ginseng and Panax quinquefolius: From pharmacology to toxicology.Food Chem Toxicol. 2017;107(Pt A):362–372. doi:10.1016/j.fct.2017.07.019
Roe AL, Venkataraman A.The safety and efficacy of botanicals with nootropic effects.Curr Neuropharmacol. 2021;19(9):1442-67. doi:10.2174/1570159X19666210726150432
Arring NM, Millstine D, Marks LA, Nail LM.Ginseng as a treatment for fatigue: A systematic review.J Altern Complement Med. 2018;24(7):624–633. doi:10.1089/acm.2017.0361
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Ossoukhova A, Owen L, Savage K, et al.Improved working memory performance following administration of a single dose of American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius L.) to healthy middle-age adults.Hum Psychopharmacol. 2015;30(2):108-122. doi:10.1002/hup.2463
Bell L, Whyte A, Duysburgh C, et al.A randomized, placebo-controlled trial investigating the acute and chronic benefits of American ginseng (Cereboost®) on mood and cognition in healthy young adults, including in vitro investigation of gut microbiota changes as a possible mechanism of action.Eur J Nutr. 2022;61(1):413-28. doi:10.1007/s00394-021-02654-5
Chen EY, Hui CL.HT1001, a proprietary North American ginseng extract, improves working memory in schizophrenia: a double-blind, placebo-controlled study.Phytother Res. 2012;26(8):1166-1172. doi:10.1002/ptr.3700
Shishtar E, Sievenpiper JL, Djedovic V, et al.The effect of ginseng (the genus panax) on glycemic control: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled clinical trials.PLoS One. 2014;9(9):e107391. Published 2014 Sep 29. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0107391
Vuksan V, Xu ZZ, Jovanovski E, et al.Efficacy and safety of American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius L.) extract on glycemic control and cardiovascular risk factors in individuals with type 2 diabetes: a double-blind, randomized, cross-over clinical trial.Eur J Nutr. 2019;58(3):1237-1245. doi:10.1007/s00394-018-1642-0
McElhaney JE, Goel V, Toane B, Hooten J, Shan JJ.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(2):153-157. doi:10.1089/acm.2006.12.153
Antonelli M, Donelli D, Firenzuoli F.Ginseng integrative supplementation for seasonal acute upper respiratory infections: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Complement Ther Med. 2020;52:102457. doi:10.1016/j.ctim.2020.102457
Lewicka A, Szymański Ł, Rusiecka K, et al.Supplementation of plants with immunomodulatory properties during pregnancy and lactation-maternal and offspring health effects.Nutrients. 2019;11(8):1958. doi:10.3390/nu11081958
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