Healthy Habits: Ginseng

Ginseng Power!: 5 Tips on Safe Ginseng Supplement Intake

Ginseng is one of the most commonly utilized herbal supplements on the market today. Its uses have been known to range from improving the function of the human immune system, reducing the symptoms of erectile dysfunction, to regulating the sugar levels in the blood. Ginseng’s medicinal effects have been credited to the presence of ginsenosides, a substance known to alleviate the symptoms of stress.

Like any other drug or medicine, there are certain rules that one should follow when taking them in to ensure one’s health and safety. However, unlike all the other clinically manufactured drugs, supplements like ginseng are not as regulated so it is slightly more difficult to come up with standards considered as universally safe. That said, here are just a few tips to ensure safety when taking ginseng supplements.

Be careful when taking ginseng together with other medication

People already taking certain medications should consult with a medical professional first before starting the intake of ginseng supplements. It is known that there are certain risks when it comes to ginseng interacting with other medications. People with chronic illness or those who have been taking prescription medication for some time should never fail to consult with their doctors first to ensure that taking ginseng will not lead to adverse reactions in the body and thus cause further sickness. Some studies have discovered that ginseng reacts negatively when taken with alcohol, some anti-depression medicine, and blood thinners.

Pregnant and lactating women should consult with their doctors first

Pregnant and lactating women should practice great care in taking ginseng supplements. Several studies have already been conducted in an effort to establish the effect of ginseng on pregnancy and lactation but they have yet to establish a unified answer on the specific effect ginseng has on pregnancy. It seems that there are no conclusive evidence that ginseng can cause particular harm on pregnant and lactating women though. However, scientists and medical professionals still strongly advice for pregnant and lactating women to take great caution when taking ginseng supplements especially in their first trimester.

Practice caution when you have a history of hypertension

Some studies also show that ginseng can induce changes in blood pressure and thus people known to have a history of hypertension are strongly advised to refrain from taking it without their doctor’s knowledge. Furthermore, ginseng when taken with caffeine can result to significantly high elevations in an individual’s blood pressure levels especially for sensitive individuals. To ensure safety, ginseng should also be taken with caution if one suffers from asthma or gynecologic problems.

Plan proper dosage

Another tip to remember when planning to take ginseng supplements is to check and plan the desired dosage carefully before starting on this medication. Acceptable levels and dosages for ginseng will vary depending on a person’s state of health, age, and body size.  A scientific research has showed that when used as a tonic or an adaptogen, healthy adults can take anywhere from 0.5-1 grams per day which would be equivalent to about one to four 500 mg capsules per day. One may also want to take a combination of supplements like ginseng tea along with capsules as long as one keeps in mind the acceptable dosage applicable.

Purchase from a reliable supplier

Lastly, since ginseng supplements are not as highly regulated as the other drugs and medicines on the market, it is important to remember to purchase such supplements from a reputable supplier. It may be hard to come across credible suppliers especially in countries like Denmark, for example, where the crop is not a native product but several Danish online health shops offer a great selection of these said products. It is important for consumers that they buy from suppliers similar to the example given to make sure that they are really buying the product that they’re looking for and that the levels of the active components of the supplement are all there.

Iris Aroa and Princess Galsim are lifestyle bloggers. They write for Bodylab.dk, a trusted health and fitness website in Denmark.