ginseng peptide FAQ

American ginseng is a dietary supplement. It cannot be marketed to treat or cure a disease. Read and follow the directions on the specific product you are taking, or take it as recommended by your health care provider. Keep American ginseng out of the reach of children. Herbal products, such as American ginseng, naturally contain many different chemicals. The amount of each chemical in a specific American ginseng product can change for many reasons, including the area where the plant was grown, the weather during growth, the time of year when it was harvested, and the way that the plant was processed after it was harvested. If you switch to a new bottle or a different brand, you may not have the same effects or side effects because of this variability. Talk to your health care provider if you have questions or concerns. American ginseng is available in many different forms, including as a tea, a liquid, or a dried ground powder that is made into tablets or capsules. Each of these forms may contain different amounts of the chemicals that are naturally found in the plant. The FDA has not tested American ginseng products to confirm that they contain the ingredients stated on their labels. Some dietary supplements have been tested by third-party organizations to confirm that they contain the ingredients listed on their labels and do not contain any harmful chemicals. Learn more about how to choose a safe dietary supplement product here.

American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) is used for many different reasons. However, the benefits of American ginseng are not well defined. Some common reasons that people use American ginseng include the following.

There are no known interactions between American ginseng and foods or drinks. It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect American ginseng.

The most common side effects of American ginseng are listed below. These side effects may vary depending on the dose you are taking or the specific product you are using. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

You should store American ginseng according to the product label. Most dietary supplements should be kept in a cool, dry location that is out of the reach of children and pets and not in direct sunlight.

Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before taking American ginseng.

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take American ginseng.

While less common, the most serious side effects of American ginseng are described below, along with what to do if they happen. Severe Allergic Reactions. American ginseng may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop taking American ginseng and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

If you or someone else has used too much American ginseng, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222. Products that contain American ginseng are made from the root of the plant. These products should not be confused with other ginseng products, which are made from a plant called Panax ginseng. Read the product label closely and speak with a health care provider about how to use American ginseng safely. Do not take double or extra doses, even if you miss a dose.

American ginseng is a plant called Panax quinquefolius. Dietary supplements that contain American ginseng are made from the root (rhizome) of the plant. Since this plant is native to North America, it is also sometimes called Canadian ginseng, Wisconsin ginseng, Ontario ginseng, or North American ginseng. American ginseng is thought to act as an adaptogen, which is a substance that helps the body respond to stressful changes in its environment. Some of the chemicals in American ginseng, called ginsenosides, are thought to be responsible for its effects in the body. These chemicals may increase the levels of certain immune cells in the body, but it is not clear if this can help prevent or treat infections like the common cold. It is also unclear how these chemicals might work to increase energy or help with thinking skills. American ginseng contains some of the same chemicals as another form of ginseng, called Panax ginseng. But these plants contain different amounts of these chemicals and can cause different effects and side effects in the body. Most products that are labeled “ginseng” or “ginseng radix” contain Panax ginseng, not American ginseng. Herbal products, like American ginseng, naturally contain many different chemicals. The amounts of each chemical in a specific American ginseng product may vary. Some, none, or all of these chemicals may have effects on the body. These effects may change depending on how much of each chemical is found in the product you are using.

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them know if American ginseng is right for you. In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following. Liver Problems. American ginseng is broken down by your liver. If you have liver problems, you may have a higher risk of side effects from American ginseng. Talk to your health care provider before taking American ginseng if you have liver problems. Other Medicines and Supplements. American ginseng may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before taking American ginseng, tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details. Pregnancy. It is not known if or how American ginseng could affect pregnancy or harm an unborn baby. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Breastfeeding. It is not known if American ginseng passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take Panax ginseng.

You should store Panax ginseng according to the product label. Most dietary supplements should be kept in a cool, dry location that is out of the reach of children and pets and not in direct sunlight.

While less common, the most serious side effects of Panax ginseng are described below, along with what to do if they happen. Severe Allergic Reactions. Panax ginseng may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop taking Panax ginseng and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

Panax ginseng is used for many different reasons, but its benefits are not well defined. Some common reasons that people use Panax ginseng include the following.

The most common side effects of Panax ginseng are listed below. These side effects may vary depending on the dose you are taking or the specific product you are using. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them know if Panax ginseng is right for you. In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following. Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your health care provider if you have any of the following.

There are no known interactions between Panax ginseng and foods or drinks. It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect Panax ginseng.

Panax ginseng is a plant. Dietary supplements that contain Panax ginseng are made from the root (rhizome) of the plant. Since this plant is native to Asia, it is also sometimes called Asian ginseng, Chinese ginseng, or Korean ginseng. Panax ginseng is thought to act as an adaptogen, which is a substance that helps the body respond to stressful changes in its environment. Some of the chemicals in Panax ginseng, called ginsenosides, are thought to be responsible for its effects in the body. These chemicals may change the way that the body responds to the hormone estrogen. They may also increase the levels of certain immune cells in the body, but it is not clear if this can help reduce infections. It is also unclear how these chemicals might work for any other use, such as relieving stress, increasing energy, lowering blood sugar levels, or helping with anxiety or thinking skills. Panax ginseng contains some of the same chemicals as another form of ginseng, called American ginseng. But these plants contain different amounts of these chemicals and can cause different effects and side effects in the body. Panax ginseng is the more common form of ginseng. Most products that are labeled “ginseng” or “ginseng radix” contain Panax ginseng. Herbal products such as Panax ginseng naturally contain many different chemicals, such as ginsenosides. The amounts of each chemical in a specific Panax ginseng product may vary. Some, none, or all of these chemicals may have effects on the body. These effects may change depending on how much of each chemical is found in the product you are using.

If you or someone else has used too much Panax ginseng, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222. Panax ginseng products contain the root of the plant, but the root may be processed in different ways to make red or white ginseng. Read the product label closely and speak with a health care provider about how to use Panax ginseng safely. Do not take double or extra doses, even if you miss a dose.