Korean ginseng dosages will vary according to individual health status and should be discussed with an herbalist or medical professional.
In general, ginseng is consumed for a specific and acute purpose. Supplementation should be cycled and is not recommended to exceed six weeks before a rest period.
Korean ginseng (Panax ginseng, also known as Asian Ginseng) is viewed as a potent medicinal plant throughout Asia. It has been used for thousands of years in Indian, Chinese and Korean traditional medicine.
It was historically used as an energy stimulator and an enhancer of sexual libido. Today, Panax ginseng dosages are used around the world for a wide array of health indications.
Common supplementation targets include alleviating symptoms of sexual dysfunction, stimulating testosterone increase, improving the health of the skin, protecting the heart and blood vessels from arterial plaque and reducing hair lost to androgenic alopecia.



- Boosts energy & mental focus
- Supports immune system & restores balance
- Improves mood, sleep quality & endurance
Using Ginseng as an Adaptogen
Related Topics
Ginseng is also commonly used for its purported adaptogenic properties.
Adaptogens are natural substances thought to help improve the body’s ability to adapt to physical, mental and environmental stress.
Ginseng is often taken during periods of acute stress, such as during student exams or moving.
Although ginseng is entrenched as a medicinal agent in many traditional practices, contemporary scientific research is insufficient to assign any specific therapeutic use to Korean ginseng.
Additionally, no standardized Korean ginseng dosing standards exist within Western medical practice. The appropriate dosage will depend on the individual’s health history, therapeutic target, diet, hydration level, sex, weight and list of prescription and over-the-counter medications.
Korean Ginseng Dosage Guidelines
There are no standardized dosages associated with ginseng supplementation. It is important to follow the label instructions provided by the manufacturer. Additionally, be sure to speak with your doctor before beginning supplementation to make sure ginseng is safe for you.
In general, if you have not taken ginseng before, it may be helpful to begin supplementation at levels lower than the manufacturer’s recommended dose and increase over the course of a few weeks. This will allow you to monitor for any possible side effects.
Recommended Dosages
For regular supplementation, between 200 mg and 400 mg daily (normally divided into three timey doses) has been used. 400 mg Korean ginseng extract per day has been used to support cognitive function.
In clinical trials targeting low libido and erectile dysfunction, 3 g (3000 mg) of Korean ginseng per day has been used. This dosage was divided into three mealtime doses of 1 g (1000 milligrams).
200 mg/day of orally administered Korean ginseng has been used in individuals with type II diabetes
Topical administration of a cream composed of Korean ginseng and several other herbs (SS Cream) has been used to prevent premature ejaculation in men with erectile dysfunction. Korean ginseng is blended with other herbal constituents and applied to the glans of the penis about one hour before engaging in sex. It is to be washed off before intercourse.
How to Use Korean Ginseng Safely
Oral use of Korean ginseng may be safe for up to six months. Supplementation for more than six consecutive months is possibly unsafe. The primary concern related to long-term use is based on the hormone-like actions of ginseng’s active constituents. Although studies exist where ginseng has been consumed for up to six months, individual treatments are often recommended to not exceed six weeks.
If taken properly, Korean ginseng is generally well tolerated. Mild side effects may include difficulty sleeping. Other less likely side effects may include headaches, rashes, itching, menstrual irregularities, vaginal bleeding, hypoglycemia, low blood pressure, appetite alterations and/or liver damage.
Korean Ginseng Health Warnings
Certain groups and individuals are not well suited for ginseng supplementation. Ginseng may exacerbate existing medical conditions and may interact with a number of prescription and over-the-counter medications.
Pregnant and nursing women should speak with their doctor before taking Korean ginseng dosages, especially during the first three months of pregnancy. In one study, birth defects were observed in animal subjects during ginseng supplementation.
Conversely, approximately one in ten Asian women uses ginseng supplements to ensure the health of their developing babies. Given the state of uncertainty, pregnant or breastfeeding women should not consume ginseng without the express permission of their doctor.
There is insufficient evidence to determine the safety of Korean ginseng supplementation for children. Ginseng supplementation is likely unsafe in children and babies and has been linked to liver poisoning. Currently, ginseng supplementation is not recommended for children of any age, even adolescents.
Contraindications and Possible Interactions
Do not supplement with Panax ginseng without the express permission of your doctor if you have any type of autoimmune or immune-mediated disease. Even small Korean Ginseng doses can affect immune functioning and may worsen the symptoms of AIDS, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis and other disorders of the immune system.
Do not use Korean ginseng if you suffer from clotting or bleeding ailments. Additionally, ginseng supplementation should be avoided if you have a disorder that affects heart rhythm and/or blood pressure. Although, P. ginseng may induce a number of cardioprotective effects, there are no clinical studies focused on the affect of ginseng on cardiovascular disease.
Korean ginseng capsules may affect blood glucose levels. Do not use without the permission of your endocrinologist if you use medications for managing the symptoms of type II diabetes.
P. ginseng extract supplements may affect hormone levels. It has been observed to exhibit androgen-blocking effects and should not be used by any individual who is suffering from a disease related to the endocrine system without the permission of the primary care giver.
P. ginseng may interact with a number of other conditions and medications. In all cases, be sure to speak with your doctor before beginning supplementation and to establish a Korean ginseng dosage that is safe for you.
- Betteridge DJ. What is oxidative stress? Metabolism. 2000 Feb;49(2 Suppl 1):3-8.
- You Q, Ma ZC, Wang YG, Hu DH, Liang QD, Xiao CR, Tan HL, Tang XL, Gao Y. Panax ginseng inhibits intestinal absorption of toxic Aconitum carmichaeli alkaloids in Vitro.Chin J Integr Med. 2015 Aug 14. [Epub ahead of print]
- Muszy?ska B, ?ojewski M, Rojowski J, Opoka W, Su?kowska-Ziaja K. Natural products of relevance in the prevention and supportive treatment of depression. Psychiatr Pol. 2015;49(3):435-453.
- Yu J, Shi FS, Hu S. Improved immune responses to a bivalent vaccine of Newcastle disease and avian influenza in chickens by ginseng stem-leaf saponins. Vet Immunol Immunopathol. 2015 Aug 1. pii: S0165-2427(15)00174-9.
- Kim YJ, Jang MG, Zhu L, Silva J, Zhu X, Sukweenadhi J, Kwon WS, Yang DC, Zhang D. Cytological characterization of anther development in Panax ginseng Meyer Protoplasma. 2015 Aug 16. [Epub ahead of print]
- Li YY, Zhai WW, Yang XR, Ding J, Kan LX. [Effects of Panax notoginseng saponins on proliferation, apoptosis and cell cycle of K562 cells in vitro and the mechanisms].Nan Fang Yi Ke Da Xue Xue Bao. 2015 Aug 20;35(8):1103-1109.
- Hou JP. The chemical constituents of ginseng plants. Comp Med East West. 1977 Summer;5(2):123-45.
- Jiao XL, Bi XB, Zhang XS, Gao WW [Autotoxic effect of ginsenoside extrats on growth of American ginseng in different medium] Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi. 2015 Apr;40(8):1433-8.
- Li MR, Shi FX, Zhou YX, Li YL, Wang XF, Zhang C, Wang XT, Liu B, Xiao HX, Li LF. Genetic and epigenetic diversities shed light into domestication of cultivated ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer Mol Plant. 2015 Aug 13. pii: S1674-2052(15)00326-3.
- Wu W, Lu Z, Teng Y, Guo Y, Liu S. Structural Characterization of Ginsenosides from Flower Buds of Panax ginseng by RRLC-Q-TOF M J Chromatogr Sci. 2015 Aug 12. pii: bmv 115. [Epub ahead of print]
Article last updated on: April 19th, 2018 by Nootriment
2 Comments
Please advise me how to use ginseng with water milk or honey. I have purchased capsules of Korean Ginseng from Amazon
Take the capsules as advised on the bottle and down them with whatever you have handy. Water, Milk, doesn’t matter.