How To Use Ginseng Roots, Extracts and Supplements

Ginseng extracts and roots are used widely to boost overall health, energy level, sex drive, weight loss and more. Traditional medicine systems have used Asian ginseng (Panax ginseng) for various purposes through many centuries.

While there is evidence of beneficial effects from taking ginseng extracts, many of the uses are based on historical practice and may not have sufficient clinical research to determine efficacy.

Some common uses for Asian ginseng in Western medicine currently include treatment for Alzheimer’s disease, high cholesterol, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), influenza, fatigue and certain aspects of sexual dysfunction. It is also used to improve certain markers of cognitive function.

What is the right way to use Ginseng for health benefits and what should you do to avoid side effects? This article will discuss the different types of ginseng supplements you can use and what the recommended dosages are to prevent the risk of adverse effects.

Panax Ginseng

Adaptogen

Energy

Immune Function

Well- Being

How It Works:

• Boosts energy & mental focus
• Supports immune system & restores balance
• Improves mood, sleep quality & endurance

Dosage:

Between 100 - 400 mg per day

Safety:

Rated Possibly Safe

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What is Ginseng Root Used For?

The list of traditional and anecdotal uses for ginseng is quite lengthy. It is considered a Superiod Herb in TCM (traditional Chinese medicine) and other medicine systems.

In the Orient, Asian ginseng is called an adaptogen. By affecting multiple biologic and psychologic pathways at the same time, adaptogens are believed to improve overall health and well-being.

Adaptogenic substances are claimed to invigorate the immune system, balance hormones, increase energy, improve mental faculties, combat aging, ward off disease and generally prolong life.

The term “adaptogen” is not an accepted term in western medicine nomenclature. Ginseng is a natural medicine which is not regulated by the FDA. There are no standardized supplements or dosing recommendations available from the FDA.

How to Use Ginseng Extracts

Ginseng extracts are available in liquid, powder, tablet and capsule forms. According to the Natural Medicines database, there are more than two thousand products which contain Panax ginseng available commercially.

How to best use any specific Asian ginseng supplement should be explained on the label of the product you are purchasing. Read the manufacturer’s recommendations for usage carefully as different strength extracts can require different dosages.

How Much Ginseng to Take Per Day?

According to the Natural Medicines database, dosages for Panax Ginseng (Korean Ginseng) can range from 100 mg to 9 grams per day, depending on the reason it is being used.

In research studies, dosages of between 200 to 400 mg, taken 1 – 2 times per day have been used to promote cognitive function. These dosages are based on a specific standardized Panax ginseng extract, G115.

The same extract has been taken at a dosage of 200 mg per day to fight symptoms of the common cold and to improve resistance to influenza.

For fatigue, 1 – 2 grams of Panax ginseng root in divided daily doses has been used for 4 weeks. The G115 Ginseng extract has also been used at 80 mg day in a vitamin and mineral complex.

To improve sexual function and erectile dysfunction, juice and pulp from the Panax ginseng berry has been used at a dosage of 700 mg twice per day for 8 weeks. Korean red ginseng has also been used at a dose of 3 grams per day for eight weeks.

It is wise to begin supplementation at half the recommended dosage. Start at a low dose and monitor for any adverse effects. Continue this for a few days. Then, gradually increase the daily dosage up to the full recommended level.

Ginseng supplements are also available in liquid extracts, bulk powders, tinctures, topical creams as well as in supplement complex formulas. Dosages and directions on how to use Ginseng safely will vary for these products depending on the formulation and concentration of root extract used.

How to Use Ginseng Roots in Tea

Many people prefer using raw ginseng roots instead of extract supplements. Fresh roots, boiled roots, steamed roots and dried roots are all options. These roots are often used for tea making. You can make ginseng tea in the following manner:

• Finely chop about 6 or more grams of ginseng root.
• Place the chopped ginseng in a saucepan with 4 cups of purified water.
• Turn the heat on a low setting so that the solution heats gently.
• Leave the solution to steep about twenty minutes.
• Do not let the water come to a boil.
• Strain away the ginseng from the tea mixture.
• Transfer the ginseng tea to a cup and enjoy.

You can add flavor enhancers like honey, lemon, mint and others as you prefer. Note that black pepper extract (piperine, Piper nigrum) has been shown to enhance the pharmacologic effects of certain herbal agents. Some add this to their ginseng tea to increase its potential effects.

How to Use Ginseng for Weight Loss

There has been no clinical proof that ginseng reduces weight. However, it has demonstrated certain antiobesity, antidiabetic, cardioprotective and other effects that may support a weight loss plan.

According to Harvard Medical School, Panax ginseng affects carbohydrate metabolism and may promote weight loss in obese individuals. Furthermore, the anti-fatigue effects could improve energy levels for working out.

Some users experience loss of appetite as a side effects of ginseng supplementation. This may also benefit weight loss goals.

If you want to know how you can use ginseng for weight loss, then it’s best to consult with a doctor, pharmacist or nutritionist. Make sure she understands your health history, existing medical conditions, medications being used and any herbal supplements you may be using already.

How to Prevent Ginseng Side Effects

Research and thousands of years of traditional usage show that Panax ginseng is generally well tolerated in healthy adults. This natural substance should not be used for pregnant women, nursing women, infants, children or adolescents. Asian ginseng is for adult use only.

Most ginseng users experience no side effects. The most reported adverse effect associated with Asian ginseng is insomnia. Rarely, other side effects may occur. These could include headache, vertigo, mania, euphoria, loss of appetite, fever, itching, menstruation irregularities, vaginal bleeding, changes in blood pressure, hypoglycemia and others.

Do not use Panax ginseng if you use prescription medications for type 2 diabetes mellitus, impaired glucose tolerance (prediabetes), hormone-sensitive cancer, heart disease, autoimmune disease, neurodegenerative disease and/or certain other conditions. Discuss ginseng usage with a doctor who understands your health history before starting.

Panax ginseng may also interact negatively with certain other herbal agents, especially others with hypoglycemic and/or hypotensive potentials. Use extra caution if combining P. ginseng extracts or roots with clove, fenugreek, danshen, garlic, ginger, turmeric, angelica and certain others.

How to best use ginseng depends on your personal preferences and therapeutic purposes. Select your preferred ginseng supplement carefully and follow the specific instructions provided by the manufacturer.

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