Asian Ginseng 

This fact sheet provides basic information about the herb Asian ginseng—common 

names, uses, potential side effects, and resources for more information. Asian 

ginseng is native to China and Korea and has been used in various systems of 

medicine for many centuries. Asian ginseng is one of several types of true ginseng 

(another is American ginseng, Panax quinquefolius). An herb called Siberian ginseng or 

eleuthero (Eleutherococcus senticosus) is not a true ginseng. 

Common Names—Asian ginseng, ginseng, Chinese ginseng, Korean ginseng, 

Asiatic ginseng 

Latin Name—Panax ginseng

What It Is Used For 

Treatment claims for Asian ginseng are numerous and include the use of the 

herb to support overall health and boost the immune system. Traditional and 

modern uses of ginseng include: 

• Improving the health of people recovering from illness 

• Increasing a sense of well-being and stamina, and improving both mental 

and physical performance 

• Treating erectile dysfunction, hepatitis C, and symptoms related to menopause 

• Lowering blood glucose and controlling blood pressure 

How It Is Used 

The root of Asian ginseng contains active chemical components called 

ginsenosides (or panaxosides) that are thought to be responsible for the herb’s 

medicinal properties. The root is dried and used to make tablets or capsules, 

extracts, and teas, as well as creams or other preparations for external use. 

What the Science Says 

• Some studies have shown that Asian ginseng may lower blood glucose. 

Other studies indicate possible beneficial effects on immune function. 

• To date, research results on Asian ginseng are not conclusive enough to 

prove health claims associated with the herb. Only a handful of large clinical 

trials on Asian ginseng have been conducted. Most studies have been small 

or have had flaws in design and reporting. Some claims for health benefits 

have been based only on studies conducted in animals. 

• NCCAM supports studies to better understand the use of Asian ginseng. Areas of 

recent NCCAM-funded research include Asian ginseng’s interactions with other 

herbs and drugs and the herb’s potential to treat chronic lung infection, impaired 

glucose tolerance, and Alzheimer’s disease. 
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Created September 2005 

Updated March 2008 

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Side Effects and Cautions 

• When taken by mouth, ginseng is usually well tolerated. Some sources suggest that its use 

be limited to 3 months because of concerns about the development of side effects. 

• The most common side effects are headaches and sleep and gastrointestinal problems. 

• Asian ginseng can cause allergic reactions. 

• There have been reports of breast tenderness, menstrual irregularities, and high blood 

pressure associated with Asian ginseng products, but these products’ components were 

not analyzed, so effects may have been due to another herb or drug in the product. 

• Asian ginseng may lower levels of blood sugar; this effect may be seen more in people with 

diabetes. Therefore, people with diabetes should use extra caution with Asian ginseng, 

especially if they are using medicines to lower blood sugar or taking other herbs, such as 

bitter melon and fenugreek, that are also thought to lower blood sugar. 

• Tell your health care providers about any complementary and alternative practices you 

use. Give them a full picture of what you do to manage your health. This will help ensure 

coordinated and safe care. 

Sources 

Ginseng, Asian (Panax ginseng). In: Coates P, Blackman M, Cragg G, et al., eds. Encyclopedia of Dietary Supplements. 

New York, NY: Marcel Dekker; 2005:265-277. 

Ginseng, Panax. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Web site. Accessed at http://www.naturaldatabase.com on 

July 2, 2007. 

Ginseng. Natural Standard Database Web site. Accessed at http://www.naturalstandard.com on June 28, 2007. 

Ginseng root. In: Blumenthal M, Goldberg A, Brinckman J, eds. Herbal Medicine: Expanded Commission E Monographs. 

Newton, MA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2000:170-177. 

National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Hepatitis C and Complementary and Alternative Medicine: 

2003 Update. National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine Web site. Accessed at 

http://nccam.nih.gov/health/hepatitisc/ on July 9, 2007. 

For More Information 

Visit the NCCAM Web site at nccam.nih.gov and view: 

• What’s in the Bottle? An Introduction to Dietary Supplements at nccam.nih.gov/health/bottle/ 

• Herbal Supplements: Consider Safety, Too at nccam.nih.gov/health/supplement-safety/ 

NCCAM Clearinghouse 

Toll-free in the U.S.: 1-888-644-6226 

TTY (for deaf and hard-of-hearing callers): 1-866-464-3615 

E-mail: info@nccam.nih.gov 

CAM on PubMed 

Web site: nccam.nih.gov/camonpubmed/ 

NIH Office of Dietary Supplements 

Web site: www.ods.od.nih.gov 

NIH National Library of Medicine’s MedlinePlus 

Ginseng Listing: www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/patient-ginseng.html 

This publication is not copyrighted and is in the public domain. Duplication is encouraged. 

NCCAM has provided this material for your information. It is not intended to substitute for the medical 

expertise and advice of your primary health care provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions 

about treatment or care with your health care provider. The mention of any product, service, or therapy 

is not an endorsement by NCCAM. 

National Institutes of Health 

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U.S. Department of Health and Human Services