Panax Ginseng (Herb/Suppl)

Adaptogen: adapt to internal/external stressors, fight fatigue, increase stamina

Anxiety, athletic/physical stamina enhancement, cognitive function, enhancement, depression, fertility (male), headaches, immunostimulant, menopausal hot-flashes, impotence

Efficacy

Possibly effective in cognitive function, diabetes, erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation

Possibly ineffective for athletic performance, menopausal symptoms and quality of life

Insufficient reliable evidence to rate breast cancer, bronchitis, cancer, common cold, congestive heart failure and influenza

Frequency Not Defined

Allergic skin reactions

Amenorrhea

Appetite decreased

Cerebral arteritis

Cholestatic hepatitis

Diarrhea

Edema

Euphoria

Headache

Hyperpyrexia

Hypertension

Hypotension

Insomnia

Mania

Mastalgia

Neonatal death

Palpitations

Pruritis

Rose spots

Stevens-Johnson syndrome

Tachycardia

Vaginal bleeding

Vertigo

Contraindications

Bleeding disorders, breast cancer, endometrial cancer, endometriosis, estrogen-dependent malignancies, diabetes, hormone sensitive conditions, hypertension, hypersensitivity, neonates, organ transplant recipients, ovarian cancer, pregnancy, thromboembolic disorders, uterine fibroids

Cautions

Cardiovascular disease, concurrent CYP2D6 substrates, diabetes mellitus, insomnia, peds, schizophrenia

Pregnancy Category: X

Lactation: N/A

Pregnancy Categories

A: Generally acceptable. Controlled studies in pregnant women show no evidence of fetal risk.

B: May be acceptable. Either animal studies show no risk but human studies not available or animal studies showed minor risks and human studies done and showed no risk.

C: Use with caution if benefits outweigh risks. Animal studies show risk and human studies not available or neither animal nor human studies done.

D: Use in LIFE-THREATENING emergencies when no safer drug available. Positive evidence of human fetal risk.

X: Do not use in pregnancy. Risks involved outweigh potential benefits. Safer alternatives exist.

NA: Information not available.

Mechanism of Action

Ginsenosides have many different effects, and varying concentrations

Some ADRs caused by contaminants