Ginseng
[8] In Chinese folk tales from the northeastern regions, ginseng is said to transform into children, often depicted with skyward-reaching braids, sometimes tied with red ribbons, and occasionally dressed in bellybands.
[citation needed] Wild ginseng (Korean: 산삼; Hanja: 山蔘; RR: sansam; lit.
[citation needed] White ginseng (Korean: 백삼; Hanja: 白蔘; RR: baeksam; lit.
[26] Ginseng may be included in energy drinks or herbal teas in small amounts or sold as a dietary supplement.
In Korean cuisine, ginseng is used in various banchan (side dishes) and guk (soups), as well as tea and alcoholic beverages.
Leaves are used to prepare Asian soups, steamed with chicken or combined with ginger, dates, and pork, or are eaten fresh.
[29][30] Although ginseng has been used in traditional medicine for centuries, there is no good evidence it causes any improvement of health or lowers the risk of any disease.
[31][32][33] Clinical research indicates there are no confirmed effects on memory, fatigue, menopause symptoms, and insulin response in people with mild diabetes.
[4] A 2021 review indicated that ginseng had "only trivial effects on erectile function or satisfaction with intercourse compared to placebo".
[37] As of 2019, the United States FDA and Federal Trade Commission have issued numerous warning letters to manufacturers of ginseng dietary supplements for making false claims of health or anti-disease benefits, stating that the "products are not generally recognized as safe and effective for the referenced uses" and are illegal as unauthorized "new drugs" under federal law.
[38][39][40] A tincture of Korean ginseng is approved by the EFSA for use in horses, dogs, and cats as a sensory additive (animal feed flavoring).
[41] A dried extract of Korean ginseng was declined by the EFSA, since its manufacturer cannot provide data on its complete composition.
It is not uncommon to observe discrepancies between the ingredients listed on the product label and the actual components or their quantities present in the supplement.
These independent quality checks primarily focus on the integrity of the product in terms of its composition and do not extend to safety evaluations or purported clinical efficacy.
[35] Ginseng generally has a good safety profile and the incidence of adverse effects is minor when used over the short term.
[35] Concerns exist when ginseng is used over a longer term, potentially causing side effects such as skin rashes,[35] headaches, insomnia, and digestive problems.
[3][4][43] The long-term use of ginseng may result in nervousness, anxiety, diarrhea, confusion, depression, or feelings of depersonalization,[35] nausea, and fluctuations in blood pressure (including hypertension).
[3][35] Ginseng also has adverse drug reactions with phenelzine,[44] and a potential interaction has been reported with imatinib,[45] resulting in hepatotoxicity, and with lamotrigine.
Symptoms of mild overdose may include dry mouth and lips, excitation, fidgeting, irritability, tremor, palpitations, blurred vision, headache, insomnia, increased body temperature, increased blood pressure, edema, decreased appetite, dizziness, itching, eczema, early morning diarrhea, bleeding, and fatigue.
[10][47] Symptoms of severe overdose with P. ginseng may include nausea, vomiting, irritability, restlessness, urinary and bowel incontinence, fever, increased blood pressure, increased respiration, decreased sensitivity and reaction to light, decreased heart rate, cyanotic (blue) facial complexion, red facial complexion, seizures, convulsions, and delirium.
