Although these studies do not verify the claims that ginseng manufacturers make, no comments disproving the manufacturers were found to exist. For years the Chinese have used ginseng as a panacea without problem. Today however, side effects are associated with long-term use of ginseng. The most common side effects that appear with long term use of ginseng are hypertension, nervousness, insomnia, diarrhea, skin eruptions, and edema. However, both the D Angelo et al. and Sorensen and Sonne studies reported no side effects.
Some reports suggest drug-drug interactions associated with ginseng.
As demonstrated in the studies, recommended dosing for ginseng varies. In the D Angelo et al. study, 100mg twice daily was used. The Sorensen and Sonne clinical study used 400mg standardized ginseng extract. In light of the previous issues, ginseng is still considered safe. Although ginseng, an ancient Chinese cure-all, gains support through current research studies, the variability of the ginsenoside concentrations between and within ginseng preparations makes the applicability of these study results questionable.