[Durgical](https://durgical.com/en/) › [DurgiPedia](https://durgical.com/en/durgipedia/) › [Pharmacology](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/) › [Herbal products and dietary supplements](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/herbal-products-and-dietary-supplements/) › Ginseng

# Ginseng

## Herbal products and dietary supplements?

Herbal products and dietary supplements

## Pregnancy: avoid?

Avoid in pregnancy. Oral use may be unsafe in pregnancy: one of its chemicals caused birth defects in animals, and experts advise against use in pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Root of Panax ginseng (Asian ginseng), promoted for energy and cognition. Small studies only; it can lower blood sugar and affect clotting.

Updated Nov 1, 2026

Also called: Panax ginseng, Asian, Chinese or Korean ginseng, Red and white ginseng

## Quick facts

**Group**
[Herbal products and dietary supplements](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/herbal-products-and-dietary-supplements/)

**Target**
Multiple targets of ginsenosides (proposed)

**Used for**
Promoted for fatigue and cognition

**Key effects**
Insomnia · Headache and digestive upset · Rash

**Monitor**
Blood glucose in people with diabetes · Sleep

No doses: the clinician sets them by the current guideline.

On this page

- The basics Mechanism of action
- Indications
- Adverse effects
- Pharmacokinetics
- Memory aid

- Clinical What the labels mean

- Safety Contraindications
- Key interactions
- What is monitored
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding
- Nursing care

- Study Test yourself

- Connections Connections

## Mechanism of action

The active constituents are triterpenoid saponins called ginsenosides, partly transformed by gut bacteria. Laboratory studies describe antiplatelet effects, improved glucose handling (more insulin release, less beta-cell death) and many other actions, but studies differ widely in species, extracts and doses, so the clinical meaning is uncertain.

- Ginsenosides are taken in the root extract
- Gut bacteria transform part of them
- Reported effects on platelets and glucose
- Added risk with anticoagulants and antidiabetic drugs

## Indications

- Promoted for fatigue and cognition; small studies with conflicting results
- Studied in diabetes and prediabetes; evidence on blood sugar control is inconclusive [Type 2 diabetes mellitus →](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/type-2-diabetes-mellitus/)

## Adverse effects

### Common

- Insomnia (the most common)
- Headache and digestive upset
- Rash

### Serious (rare, important)

- Severe allergic reactions and severe rash (rare)
- Liver injury (rare)
- Low blood sugar in people with diabetes
- Possible worsening of autoimmune disease; interference with clotting

## Contraindications

- Use with anticoagulants or antiplatelets without supervision
- Autoimmune disease

## Key interactions

**Insulin and oral antidiabetic drugs**
Additive lowering of blood sugar

**Antiplatelet drugs and anticoagulants**
Possible additive effect on clotting

**MAOIs and other serotonergic drugs**
Listed among serotonin syndrome precipitants

## What is monitored

- Blood glucose in people with diabetes
- Bleeding signs with anticoagulants
- Sleep

## Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Avoid in pregnancy. Oral use may be unsafe in pregnancy: one of its chemicals caused birth defects in animals, and experts advise against use in pregnancy and breastfeeding.

## Nursing care

- Ask every patient about herbal products and supplements and record them with the medicine list
- Check glucose more often in patients with diabetes who start ginseng
- Teach that «natural» does not mean safe and that supplements are not approved as medicines before sale

## Pharmacokinetics

**Metabolism**
Ginsenosides are partly deglycosylated by gut flora

## Memory aid

Ginseng keeps you up (insomnia) and brings sugar down.

## Test yourself

Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it.

## What are the active constituents of Panax ginseng?

Ginsenosides, triterpenoid saponins.

## What is the most common side effect of ginseng?

Insomnia.

## Why does ginseng need care in people with diabetes?

It may lower blood sugar and add to the effect of insulin or oral antidiabetics.

[Add to my cards (3)](https://durgical.app/estudiar/?add=/en/pharmacology/ginseng/)

[More Pharmacology questions →](https://durgical.com/en/practice/?f=pharmacology)

## What the labels mean

**Pregnancy: avoid**
Avoid in pregnancy. Oral use may be unsafe in pregnancy: one of its chemicals caused birth defects in animals, and experts advise against use in pregnancy and breastfeeding.

## Connections

## Related drugs 2

- [Regular human insulin](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/regular-human-insulin/)
- [Warfarin](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/warfarin/)

## Related conditions 1

- [Type 2 diabetes mellitus](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/type-2-diabetes-mellitus/)

[← Back to the class: Herbal products and dietary supplements](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/herbal-products-and-dietary-supplements/)

Educational content on how drugs work; not a prescribing guide and no substitute for a health professional's advice. No doses are given.

Sources: [Asian Ginseng: Usefulness and Safety](https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/asian-ginseng) (National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), 2025).

## **Spotted a mistake?** We are always improving for the community. Tell us what is wrong and our team will review it. Report a mistake

Representative model, for educational purposes only.

---
Source: https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/ginseng/
License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/ginseng/