Chinese ginseng (Panax ginseng) is one of the true members of the Panax (traditional ginseng) family. The active constituents of this family are known as ginsenosides. Chinese ginseng has been used in China for over 2,000 years as an adaptogen, aphrodisiac and as a nourishing stimulant.

Understanding How Chinese Ginseng Supports Health

It helps adaptation to chronic physical and mental-emotional stress and stimulates the immune system. It has also long been used to treat anxiety, depression, male impotence, headaches, menopausal hot flashes, and to increase athletic performance and cognitive function.

Key Health Benefits of Chinese Ginseng

The current use of Chinese ginseng mostly mirrors its traditional uses in Chinese culture. It has recently been studied for its ability to enhance libido and sexual performance, although the exact mechanism of action is not yet understood. Interestingly, in males, ginsenosides have been shown to directly facilitate penile erection. Also, some ginsenosides can act as weak phytoestrogens, a term used to describe plant compounds that can mimic the female hormone estrogen in the body. Recent research has also shown that Chinese ginseng can reduce fatigue.

A Traditional Understanding of Ginseng

According to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), Chinese ginseng promotes yang (sunshine, hot, positive, male). This means that it is useful in people with excess yin conditions such as edema, puffiness, and some types of fatigue and depression. 

Shopping For Quality Chinese Ginseng Supplements

Panax ginseng is often found as powdered dried root or as a concentrated extract. Raw herbs, teas, single-serving liquid vials, tinctures, encapsulated herbs or capsules are all widely available. It is available as a single herb or in combination formulas for the treatment of a variety of conditions. 

Dosing recommendations are 600-3000mg of raw herb three times a day, or a cup of tea made using 3g of raw herb taken three times a day. Concentrated extract can be taken as 100-300 mg extract (standardized to 7% ginsenosides) three times daily for 3-4 weeks, followed by a rest period. Chinese ginseng can also be found in a cream to treat erectile dysfunction, which is applied an hour before, and then removed before intercourse. This herb is also often found in energy drinks and other commercial products, although this is often the tea form and is too dilute to have physical effects.

Important Information To Consider Before Taking Ginseng

Chinese ginseng, like other ginsengs, contains components that have blood thinning, blood pressure altering and blood sugar-altering properties. Ginseng supplements should be used with caution by individuals with active bleeding, blood clotting disorders, high blood pressure, low blood pressure, diabetes and hypoglycemia. 

For the same reason, ginseng supplements should be discontinued before surgery or dental work. Chinese Ginseng can alter the effects of caffeine, stimulants, decongestants, blood thinners (including aspirin), anti-hypertensives, sedatives, insulin and oral hypoglycemics. It may also lead to the induction of mania in depressed patients who mix it with antidepressants.

Inappropriate use of Panax ginseng was examined in a study that gave patients up to 15g of ginseng daily. Symptoms such as hypertension, diarrhea, sleeplessness, mastalgia (breast pain), vaginal bleeding, skin rash, confusion, and depression were described. All symptoms resolved when the dose was reduced to within recommended limits. Estrogenic symptoms have been reported in pre and post-menopausal women, although no corresponding chemical activity can be found in the lab. It would still be prudent to avoid the use of Chinese ginseng during pregnancy, lactation, and in cases of estrogen-sensitive conditions, including estrogen-sensitive cancers.