What is the most important information I should know about ginseng?
Do not take ginseng without first talking to your doctor if you have a bleeding or
blood clotting disorder,
diabetes,
high blood pressure or
heart disease, or if you are taking any
medicines to prevent or treat these conditions.
Ginseng has not been evaluated by the FDA for safety, effectiveness, or purity. All
potential risks and/or advantages of ginseng may not be known. Additionally, there are no
regulated manufacturing standards in place for these compounds. There have been instances
where herbal/health supplements have been sold which were contaminated with toxic metals or
other drugs. Herbal/health supplements should be purchased from a reliable source to minimize
the risk of contamination.
What is ginseng?
The use of ginseng in cultural and traditional settings may differ from concepts accepted
by current Western medicine. When considering the use of herbal supplements, consultation with
a primary health care professional is advisable. Additionally, consultation with a practitioner
trained in the uses of herbal/health supplements may be beneficial, and coordination of treatment
among all health care providers involved may be advantageous.
A number of ginseng species used in herbal products grow around the world. Some of
these plants include American ginseng, Korean ginseng, Sanchi ginseng, Chikusetsu ginseng,
Himalayan ginseng, zhuzishen, and dwarf ginseng. Ginseng is also known as Siberian ginseng,
devil's shrub, eleuthero, touch-me-not, and wild pepper.
Ginseng has been used to improve the body's resistance to stress and to increase vitality.
Ginseng has not been evaluated by the FDA for safety, effectiveness, or purity. All
potential risks and/or advantages of ginseng wort may not be known. Additionally, there are no
regulated manufacturing standards in place for these compounds. There have been instances
where herbal/health supplements have been sold which were contaminated with toxic metals or
other drugs. Herbal/health supplements should be purchased from a reliable source to minimize
the risk of contamination.
Ginseng may also have uses other than those listed in this product guide.
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