Side Effects of Ginseng

Decreased appetite, insomnia, headaches, and diarrhea are possible side effects of ginseng. Side effects of the supplement can be bothersome but are usually not serious. However, there are a number of potential ginseng side effects that should be reported to a healthcare provider immediately, including vaginal bleeding, low or high blood pressure, and heart palpitations.

 

Does Ginseng Cause Side Effects?

As with any medication or supplement, side effects are possible with ginseng. Although some people assume that natural products (such as ginseng) are automatically free of side effects, this is simply not the case. Remember, many poisons and toxins are natural products. Ginseng can cause side effects; some of these side effects can be quite serious (even life-threatening).
 
This article refers to Panax ginseng (also known as Asian ginseng, Chinese ginseng, and Korean ginseng). This type of ginseng should not be confused with American ginseng or Siberian ginseng, which are entirely different herbs.
 

Bothersome Side Effects of Ginseng

Possible bothersome (although usually not serious) ginseng side effects may include:
 
  • Insomnia
  • Headaches
  • Upset stomach
  • Breast pain
  • Decreased appetite
  • Diarrhea
  • A spinning sensation (vertigo)
  • Unexplained happy or pleasant feelings (euphoria).
     

Side Effects With Ginseng to Report

There are a number of potential side effects with ginseng that you should report to your healthcare provider. These include, but are not limited to:
 
  • Vaginal bleeding or significant changes in the menstrual cycle
  • A rapid heart rate (tachycardia)
  • Feelings of a rapidly or forcefully beating heart (known as heart palpitations)
  • Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
  • Low blood pressure (hypotension) or high blood pressure (hypertension)
  • Unusual, excessive behavior (such as irresponsible spending or sexual activity), known as mania
  • Signs of impaired blood clotting, such as:

 

    • Easy bruising
    • Bleeding that is slow to stop
    • Nosebleeds
    • Black, tarry stools, bright red blood in the stool, or vomiting of blood (signs of gastrointestinal bleeding)
    • Signs of a hemorrhagic stroke (bleeding in the brain), such as vision or speech changes, weakness or numbness in an arm or leg, or a severe headache

 

  • Signs of an allergic reaction, such as a rash, hives, itching, swelling of the mouth or throat, wheezing, or difficulty breathing.
     
(Side Effects of Ginseng Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;