NATURAL PRODUCTS
Ginseng (Panax ginseng)
Ginseng is one of the most well known natural
products, due to its ancient use in the Far East and wide use in the new world. It
has been used to increase stamina and concentration. The active compound responsible
for its effects is the ginsenoside.
Ginseng is usually administered as a tonic that can
be found in retail stores and even at county fairs. Unfortunately, the quality of
many of these tonics is highly variable and some labeled as ginseng may not contain
ginseng at all. There are reports that possibly 60% of the preparations are
adulterated and 25% do not contain any ginseng. Once again, there is no standard and
ginseng is not regulated by the FDA. Some companies are now offering ginseng in
capsule form. According to the German E Commission and its exhaustive studies, the
average daily dose of ginseng is 1 - 2 grams of the root.
There are few reported drug interactions with
ginseng, but they could require medical intervention. Ginseng has been reported to
decrease the effectiveness of warfarin, an anticoagulant, which could expose the person to
a potential blood clot or stroke. In another report, a patient's digoxin blood
levels apparently increased by taking Siberian ginseng simultaneously with digoxin.
The patient showed no sign of toxicity and it is unknown whether the actual digoxin level
increased or whether the increased level was due to the testing methodology.
Another study claimed that ginseng should not be used
with estrogens or corticosteroids because it may increase their effec. In the
interest of safety, ginseng should not be taken with birth control pills containing
estrogen or with Premarin, as it may cause breakthrough bleeding that might require an
adjustment of estrogen. Males may experience estrogen related adverse reactions such
as gynecomastia (breast enlargement). In yet another report, ginseng led to mania in
depressed patients that took it with antidepressants. Such effects do not happen
immediately.
Quality of ginseng preparations is an issue and the
potential for ginseng abuse syndrome is possible with extreme overdoses. Symptoms of
ginseng abuse syndrome include hypertonia with possible muscle twitching, edema (swelling
of extremities), and insomnia.
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is not responsible for errors or omissions. The information provided on the natural
product pages is only a guideline based on current literature and the pharmacological
action of these products. It should not be used as the sole source of information on
these products. Many of the drug interactions listed are not found in current
literature but are based on likely interactions due to the actions of the interacting
drugs. It is recommended that a qualified and licensed healthcare professional be
consulted for additional information. Although the information provided is from
reliable sources, Solumedia has no liability. This information is provided only as a
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This page was last updated on 04/29/05. |
