Ginseng

ByLaura Shane-McWhorter, PharmD, University of Utah College of Pharmacy
Reviewed/Revised Jan 2023
View Patient Education

Panax quinquefoliusEleutherococcus senticosus) is a different genus and does not contain the ingredients believed to be active in the 2 forms used in supplements.

(See also Overview of Dietary Supplements.)

Claims

Evidence

  • Enhancement of immune function via modulation of inflammatory cytokines (1)

  • Anticarcinogenic effects (2)

  • Decreases in blood glucose (3)

  • Improvement of cognitive function (4)

  • Fatigue (5)

6).

47).

8).

Adverse Effects

estrogen

Drug Interactions

(See also table Some Possible Dietary Supplement–Drug Interactions.)

References

  1. 1. Kim JH, Yi Y-S, Kim M-Y, et al41(4):435-443, 2016. doi: 10.1016/j.jgr.2016.08.004

  2. 2. Yun TK, Zheng S, Choi SY, et alJ Med Food 13(3):489-494, 2010. doi: 10.1089/jmf.2009.1275

  3. 3. Shishtar E, Sievenpiper JL, Djedovic V, et alPLoS One 9(9):e107391, 2014. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0107391

  4. 4. Geng J, Dong J, Ni H, et alCochrane Database Syst Rev (12):CD007769, 2010. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD007769.pub2

  5. 5. Arring NM, Millstine D, Marks LA, et alJ Altern Complement Med 24(7):624-633, 2018. doi: 10.1089/acm.2017.0361

  6. 6. Seida JK, Durec T, Kuhle SEvid Based Complement Alternat Med 2011:282151, 2011. doi: 10.1093/ecam/nep068

  7. 7. Lho SK, Kim TH, Kwak KP, et alAlzheimers Res Ther 10(1):50, 2018. doi: 10.1186/s13195-018-0380-0

  8. 8. Lee HW, Lee MS, Kim TH, et alCochrane Database Syst Rev 4(4):CD012654, 2021. Published 2021 Apr 19. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD012654.pub2

More Information

The following English-language resource may be useful. Please note that THE MANUAL is not responsible for the content of this resource.

  1. National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health:

quizzes_lightbulb_red
Test your KnowledgeTake a Quiz!
Download the free MSD Manual App iOS ANDROID
Download the free MSD Manual App iOS ANDROID
Download the free MSD Manual App iOS ANDROID