PDR for Herbal Medicines

HERBAL MONOGRAPHS GINSENG/349

because Ginseng has been shown to have hypoglycemic

effects (See EFFECTS and CLINICAL TRIALS).

Warfarin/NSAIDS/Antiplatelet Agents — A case report of a

47-year old male with a mechanical valve in the aortic

position taking warfarin had a decrease in the INR 2 weeks

after initiating Ginseng therapy. The INR returned to normal

2 weeks after discontinuation of warfarin (Awang, 1991).

Due to the antiplatelet effect of Ginseng, avoid concomitant

use with antiplatelet agents or NSAIDS.

Phenelzine (MAOI) — Headache, tremors, and mania have

been reported with concomitant use of phenelzine and

Ginseng (Jones, 1987).

Loop Diuretics — Germanium, present in most Ginseng

products, was reported to cause loop diuretic resistance in a

63 year old male with glomerulonephritis. Germainium

causes nephrotoxicity in the nephron segment where loop

diuretics work (Becker, 1996).

OVERDOSAGE

Massive overdosages can bring about Ginseng Abuse

Syndrome, which is characterized by hypertension, insom-

nia, hypertonia and edema.

DOSAGE

Mode of Administration: Comminuted drug infusions, pow-

der and galenic preparations for internal use. Various

standardized preparations containing Ginseng root are

available.

How Supplied:

Capsules — lOOmg, 150mg. 200mg, 250mg, 404mg, 405mg,

410mg, 424mg, 470mg, 500mg, 505mg, 535mg, 560mg,

lOOOmg, 1250mg

Liquid — 300mg/ml

Tablet — 350mg, 500mg

Preparation: To make an infusion, pour boiling water over 3

gm comminuted drug and strain after 5 to 10 minutes.

Daily Dosage: The average daily dosage is 1 to 2 gm root.

The infusion may be taken 3 to 4 times a day over 3 to 4

weeks.

Cognitive Function — Oral standardized Ginseng 400 mg

daily was effective in improving cognitive function (Soren-

son, 1996).

Hypoglycemic Effects — Dosage of 100-200 mg of oral

standardized Ginseng has been effective in Type 2 diabetic

patients (Sotaniemi, 1995).

Antiviral — Studies have proven efficacy in addition
vaccination with 100-200 mg daily of oral standardized
Ginseng extract (Scaglione, 1996).

Erectile Dysfunction — Korean Red Ginseng given orally as

600 mg three times daily has been effective (Choi, 1995).

Physical and Psychological Performance Capacity (lack of

stamina) — Ginsana given 100 mg twice daily has improved.

oxygen capacity, reduction of maximum stress frequency,

increase in ling function parameters and shortened reaction

time to visual stimulants after 11 weeks (Forgo, 1985).

Homeopathic Dosage: 5 drops, 1 tablet, 5 to 10 globules or 1

mL injection solution sc twice weekly.

LITERATURE

Anonym, Kann Ginseng die Leistungsfahigkeit erhohen? In:

DAZ 132(12):XLVMI. 1992.

Anonym, Mythos-Tonikum-Arzneimittel. Ginsengextrakt bei

Atemwegserkrankungen. In: DAZ 134(26):2461. 1994.

Attele AS; Wu JA; Yuan CS. Ginseng pharmacology: multiple

constituents and multiple actions. Biochem Pharmacol 1999 Dec

1:58(11): 1685-93.

Avakian EV et al., (1984) Planta Med 50:151.

Awang DV. Maternal use of ginseng and neonatal

androgenization. JAMA 1991 Jul 17;266(3):363. '

Baldwin CA et al., (1986) Pharm J 237:583.

Bauer R, Neues von "immunmodulierenden Drogen" und

"Drogen mit antiallergischer und antiinflammatorischer

Wirkung". In: ZPT 14(l):23-24. 1993.

Becker BN; Greene J; Evanson J et al. Ginseng-induced

diuretic resistance. JAMA 1996 Aug 28;276(8):606-7.

Blasius H, Phytotherapie: Adaptogene Wirkung von Ginseng.

In: DAZ 135(23):2136-2138. 1995.

Caesar W, Ginsengwurzel in Europa. Eine alte Geschichte. In:

DAZ 131(19):935. 1991.

Choi H, Seong D, Rha K. Clinical efficacy of Korean red

ginseng for erectile dysfunction. Int J Impot Res 1995

Sep;7(3): 181-6.

Choi Y, Rha K, Choi H. In vitro and in vivo experimental

effect of Korean red ginseng on erection. J urol 1999

Oct; 162(4): 1508-11.

Forgo I, Schimert G. Zur Frage der Wirkungsdauer des

standardisierten Ginseng-Extraktes G 115 bei gesunden

Leistungssportiern. Notabene medici 1985 9:636-649.

Fulder SJ, (1981) Am J Chin Med 9:112.

Fuzzati N; Gabetta B; Jayakar K et al. Liquid chromatography-

electrospray mass spectrometric identification of ginsenosides in

Panax ginseng roots. J Chromatogr A 1999 Aug 27;854(l-2):69-

79.

Greenspan EM. Ginseng and vaginal bleeding. JAMA 1983 Apr

15;249(15):2018.

Guodong L, Zhongqui L. Effects of ginseng saponins on insulin

release from isolated pancreatic islets of rats. Chin J Integr

Trad Western Med 1987;7:326.