Overall, research has not substantiated the use of dong quai for menopause. Dong quai has been known to produce skin problems, especially when skin is exposed to the sun. Ginseng is one of the world's most famous herbs. There are many types of ginseng. Asian Panax ginseng is renowned for its ability to increase physical and mental energy and endurance.
Panax ginseng is the most widely used and the most extensively studied species.
Its properties and uses are similar. Ginseng appears to have an estrogen-like effect on genital tissue, which is one reason it has been popular with women who want to treat menopausal symptoms. A research study in 1998 raised the question of whether ginseng is safe for breast cancer survivors. This study looked at ginseng's effect on breast cancer cells. The researchers found that ginseng is estrogenic at the molecular level.