Disadvantages of American Ginseng

American ginseng is a perennial herb that grows in the eastern half of North America. Various American ginseng products are made using the ginseng root and root hairs. This herb contains ginsenosides, which are thought to give ginseng its medicinal properties. While people derive benefits from American ginseng, for some it has its disadvantages in side effects and interactions with medication.

Side Effects

• American ginseng is a herb that triggers certain side effects. While they are not common, they can include high blood pressure, insomnia, headache, nosebleeds, diarrhea, vomiting and euphoria. For people with bipolar disorder, American ginseng is not recommended as it may increase the risk of mania.

Interactions

• American ginseng can have interactions with certain medications. The herb may lower blood sugar levels, so it could interfere with diabetic prescription drugs. It may also interfere with blood-thinning medications such as Warfarin. For people taking antidepressants such as Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors, American ginseng may increase the risk of side effects. Additionally, it may also increase the side effects of medications used to treat psychiatric disorders like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. For those who require morphine, American ginseng can block its painkilling effects. For all of these cases, it is strongly recommended that individuals talk to a doctor before taking any product containing American ginseng.

Other Precautions

• American ginseng may have more side effects for women because it is thought to have estrogenic properties and could worsen hormone-dependent conditions. Some of these conditions include endometriosis, uterine fibroids and cancers of the uterus, breast and ovaries. People with heart conditions should take precaution as American ginseng is also thought to slow the rate of heart beat and decrease the force of heart beats. In these cases, American ginseng should only be taken with supervision.