Ginseng Interactions with Herbs and Dietary Supplements

Interactions with Herbs and Dietary Supplements

Based on human research, ginseng may lower blood sugar levels. This effect may be greater in patients with diabetes than in non-diabetic individuals. Caution is advised when using herbs or supplements that may also lower blood sugar. Blood glucose levels may require monitoring, and doses may need adjustment.

Headache, tremors, mania, and insomnia may occur if ginseng is combined with supplements that have monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) activity or that interact with MAOI drugs.

Based on case reports, ginseng may raise or lower blood pressure. Use cautiously if combining ginseng with other products that affect blood pressure.

There is early evidence that ginseng may increase the QTc interval (thus increasing the risk of abnormal heart rhythms) and decrease diastolic blood pressure two hours after ingestion in healthy adults. Therefore, caution is advised with other agents that may cause abnormal heart rhythms.

Based on limited animal research and anecdotal reports of nosebleeds and vaginal bleeding in humans, ginseng may increase the risk of bleeding when taken with herbs and supplements that are believed to increase the risk of bleeding. Multiple cases of bleeding have been reported with the use of  Ginkgo biloba , some cases with garlic, and fewer cases with saw palmetto. Numerous other agents may theoretically increase the risk of bleeding, although this has not been proven in most cases.

In theory, ginseng may decrease the effects of diuretic herbs, such as horsetail or licorice. Ginseng may interact with sedatives or other supplements that affect the central nervous system.

In theory, ginseng may interfere with the way the body processes certain herbs or supplements using the liver's "cytochrome P450" enzyme system. As a result, the levels of other herbs or supplements may be too high in the blood. It may also alter the effects that other herbs or supplements possibly have on the P450 system, such as cat's claw or echinacea.

There is limited laboratory evidence that ginseng may contain estrogen-like chemicals and may affect agents with estrogen-like or estrogen-blocking properties. This has not been proven in humans.

Ginseng may also interact with cholesterol-lowering, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, antiviral, antipsychotic, steroid, glucocorticoid, immunomodulator, and erectile dysfunction herbs and supplements as well as DHEA, caffeine, mate, and guarana.

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