BT-080 · Araliaceae

Ginseng

Panax ginseng

Evidence: LimitedCautionRare in the wild

Like mandrake, ginseng is revered for its human-shaped root; two distant cultures gave the same shape the same power.

Other names: Korean ginseng, Asian ginseng
Part used: Root
Region: Asia and Siberia
Use: Healing, Ritual and shamanic

Photo: FloraFarm GmbH / Katharina Lohrie · CC BY 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

In short

What is Ginseng?

Ginseng (Panax ginseng) is a plant of the Araliaceae family. Traditions that use it: Asia and Siberia. Part used: root.

What is Ginseng used for?

Traditional use: Used in China and Korea for 2,000 years for strength, long life and old age; human-shaped roots are most prized. Scientific evidence: limited. Contains ginsenosides.

Is Ginseng safe?

Safety label: caution. Can cause insomnia. May interact with blood thinners and diabetes medicines.

Traditional use

East Asia

Used in China and Korea for 2,000 years for strength, long life and old age; human-shaped roots are most prized.

Siberia

Hunters searching for wild ginseng in the Ussuri region prayed where they found a root and marked it with red thread.

In nature

Where it grows: Forests of Korea, northeastern China and the Russian Far East; mostly cultivated today.
Harvest season: Roots are dug in autumn from plants at least 4–6 years old.
Local names: ginseng, insan kökü

Mix-up risk

American ginseng (P. quinquefolius) and Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcus) are different plants.

Preparation

The root is dried, or steamed to make “red ginseng”; used as tea or extract.

What science says

Contains ginsenosides. Some studies found small effects on blood sugar and immunity; the NCCIH says the evidence is limited.

Safety

Caution

Can cause insomnia. May interact with blood thinners and diabetes medicines.

Drug interactions

Medicine or substance	Why it matters
Blood thinners (warfarin)	May weaken warfarin.
Diabetes medicines and insulin	Lowers blood sugar.
MAO inhibitors	Insomnia, headache and restlessness have been reported.
Stimulants and caffeine	Stimulant effects may add up.

This list is not complete. If you take regular medication, ask your pharmacist or doctor before trying Ginseng.

Conservation

Note: Overharvesting has made wild Panax ginseng very rare; it is protected in Russia. Almost all roots in trade are cultivated.
Alternative: Cultivated ginseng.

Culture bridge

Human-shaped roots. East Asia’s ginseng and the Mediterranean’s mandrake were seen as magical and sacred because their roots look human. Read the comparison →