Untitled Document
There are several side effects that have been reported from Korean ginseng use, these include:
- • Insomnia (the most common side effect)
- • Increasing the side effects of caffeine (such as jitteriness)
- • Headaches
- • Diarrhea
- • Agitation
- • Nausea
- • Menstrual problems
- • Vaginal bleeding
- • Breast pain
- • Dizziness
- • An increase or decrease in blood pressure
Serious Side Effects
Although ginseng is generally considered safe—particularly when taken for short periods of time—serious reactions can occur. It’s important to stop taking the supplement and seek immediate medical attention if any of these symptoms occur:
- • Irregular, fast heartbeat
- • Serious allergic reaction (rash, itching, or swelling around the face, lips, tongue, and throat while spreading to the upper body, dizziness, or breathing problems)
Signs of Overdose
It’s possible to overdose on Korean ginseng. This is the reason that experts recommend taking regular breaks from the daily use of the herb. Signs and symptoms of toxicity or overdose may include:
- • Nausea and vomiting
- • Restlessness
- • Irritability
- • Fever
- • An increase in blood pressure and respiration (breathing)
- • Changes in heart rate
- • Inability to control urinary or bowel function
- • Cyanosis (bluish discoloration around lips and nails)
- • Reddened skin (particularly in the face and neck)
- • Seizures (convulsions)
- • Delirium (a severely disturbed state of mind characterized by restlessness, delusions, illusions, or incoherent speech)
Contraindications
Always follow the instructions of the prescribing healthcare provider about any type of food, drink (such as alcoholic beverages or caffeinated drinks), or activity restrictions as well as any drug contraindications (medications that should not be taken with other medications or supplements).
Medications (such as oral hypoglycemics and insulin) and other herbs or supplements that lower blood sugar should not be taken with Korean ginseng. Check with a credentialed naturopathic doctor about combining Korean ginseng with other herbal medicines to check for interactions.
Other Precautions
There are several health conditions in which ginseng should not be taken without first consulting the healthcare provider. These include:
- • Blood pressure problems
- • Heart conditions (such as arrhythmias or rheumatic heart disease)
- • Clotting or bleeding problems
- • Schizophrenia
- • Immune system disorders (such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, or multiple sclerosis)
- • Female conditions impacted by estrogen (such as uterine fibroids, breast cancer, uterine cancer or ovarian cancer, or endometriosis)
- • Diabetes (Korean ginseng may lower blood sugar)
- • Insomnia
Do not take Korean ginseng with:
- • Aspirin (aspirin causes a decreased blood clotting time to prevent blood clots, and in rare instances, ginseng could cause bleeding)
- • Phenelzine (Nardil) and warfarin (Coumadin) as it could increase bleeding
- • Any type of heart medications such as nifedipine (calcium channel blocker)
Do not take Korean ginseng when:
- • Drinking alcoholic beverages
- • Drinking caffeinated beverages
- • Smoking marijuana or using cannabis
- • A scheduled surgery or dental work is impending (stop taking ginseng at least two weeks prior) *
