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Panax quinquefolius (American ginseng)
•Last Updated: April 3, 2024
Panax quinquefolius, commonly referred to as “American ginseng”, appears to be useful in preventing some viral upper respiratory tract infections. It may also have hypoglycemic properties (may reduce blood glucose) and improve cognition. However, more research is needed.
Panax quinquefolius (American ginseng) is most often used for
Last Updated:April 3, 2024
Panax quinquefolius (American ginseng) is a perennial plant that belongs to the Araliaceae family. It is native to the eastern region of North America, including Quebec and Manitoba (Canada), as well as Georgia, Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Wisconsin (United States).[4][5]
American ginseng is used in a variety of products, including cosmetics (e.g., hair products, shower gels), supplements, drugs, food, and beverages (e.g., energy drinks). It is available in various forms, including tablets, extracts, and whole, sliced, or powdered root.[5][4]
American ginseng shows promise in preventing certain viral upper respiratory tract infections . Evidence from randomized controlled trials using 200–400 mg twice daily of a specific American ginseng extract (CVT-E002) indicates a lower risk of developing recurrent colds as well as reduced cold or flu symptom severity in adults whether they had been vaccinated against influenza or not.[1][6][7] However, a study administering the same extract in decremental (decreasing) doses to children aged 3–12 did not yield significant results compared to a placebo. Given that this study primarily focused on safety, further research in pediatric populations is warranted to assess the efficacy of American ginseng.[8]
Additionally, American ginseng may offer benefits for diabetes management. Oral co-administration of 3 grams per day of an American ginseng extract (CNT 2000) alongside conventional therapy for 8 weeks resulted in decreased levels of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and fasting blood glucose in individuals with type 2 diabetes*.[3] However, it’s important to note that the extract used in this study may not match the composition of commercially available American ginseng supplements, necessitating further investigation before generalizing the findings.
One 4-week randomized controlled trial found that American ginseng reduced the anticoagulant effect of warfarin when the two were combined.[9] However, the study included participants without clotting disorders who received warfarin for only 3 days, making it challenging to determine the relevance of this interaction for individuals who regularly take warfarin.
Another study indicated that American ginseng may increase oxidative stress in postmenopausal women when administered at low dosages (1 gram per day) over a period of 4 months.[10]
The bioactive compounds responsible for American ginseng's health properties are known as ginsenosides or panaxosides. These compounds are glycosides consisting of an aglycone (a non-sugar part) and one or more sugar chains.[4] Additionally, American ginseng has a polysaccharide (multiple sugars) component, which appears to be responsible for its immunomodulatory properties.[5]
Although all species within the Panax genus contain ginsenosides, their composition varies. American ginseng is particularly rich in the ginsenosides Rb1, Rd, and Re, whereas Panax ginseng contains mainly the Rb1, Rb2, and Rg1 types. The composition of ginsenosides and polysaccharides in American ginseng can also be affected by factors such as the environment in which it is cultivated and the age of the plant.[4][11][5]
Note that Panax quinquefolius (American ginseng) is also known as:
- Ginseng (USA)
- Wild American ginseng
- Occidental ginseng
- Xi yang shen
- North American ginseng
Panax quinquefolius (American ginseng) should not be confused with:
American ginseng is typically used in dosages of 200–400 mg once or twice daily.[1][2]
Some condition-specific studies, such as studies assessing the effect of American ginseng on diabetes, blood pressure, or workout capacity, have used larger dosages (2–3 grams daily) of standardized extracts for up to 12 weeks.[3]
- ^Predy GN, Goel V, Lovlin R, Donner A, Stitt L, Basu TKEfficacy of an extract of North American ginseng containing poly-furanosyl-pyranosyl-saccharides for preventing upper respiratory tract infections: a randomized controlled trial.CMAJ.(2005-Oct-25)
- ^Scholey A, Ossoukhova A, Owen L, Ibarra A, Pipingas A, He K, Roller M, Stough CEffects of American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) on neurocognitive function: an acute, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study.Psychopharmacology (Berl).(2010-Oct)
- ^Vuksan V, Xu ZZ, Jovanovski E, Jenkins AL, Beljan-Zdravkovic U, Sievenpiper JL, Mark Stavro P, Zurbau A, Duvnjak L, Li MZCEfficacy and safety of American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius L.) extract on glycemic control and cardiovascular risk factors in individuals with type 2 diabetes: a double-blind, randomized, cross-over clinical trial.Eur J Nutr.(2019-Apr)
- ^Szczuka D, Nowak A, Zakłos-Szyda M, Kochan E, Szymańska G, Motyl I, Blasiak JAmerican Ginseng ( L.) as a Source of Bioactive Phytochemicals with Pro-Health Properties.Nutrients.(2019-May-09)
- ^Ghosh R, Bryant DL, Farone AL(North American Ginseng) Polysaccharides as Immunomodulators: Current Research Status and Future Directions.Molecules.(2020-Dec-11)
- ^McElhaney JE, Goel V, Toane B, Hooten J, Shan JJEfficacy of COLD-fX in the prevention of respiratory symptoms in community-dwelling adults: a randomized, double-blinded, placebo controlled trial.J Altern Complement Med.(2006-Mar)
- ^McElhaney JE, Simor AE, McNeil S, Predy GNEfficacy and Safety of CVT-E002, a Proprietary Extract of Panax quinquefolius in the Prevention of Respiratory Infections in Influenza-Vaccinated Community-Dwelling Adults: A Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blind, and Placebo-Controlled Trial.Influenza Res Treat.(2011)
- ^Vohra S, Johnston BC, Laycock KL, Midodzi WK, Dhunnoo I, Harris E, Baydala LSafety and tolerability of North American ginseng extract in the treatment of pediatric upper respiratory tract infection: a phase II randomized, controlled trial of 2 dosing schedules.Pediatrics.(2008-Aug)
- ^Yuan CS, Wei G, Dey L, Karrison T, Nahlik L, Maleckar S, Kasza K, Ang-Lee M, Moss JBrief communication: American ginseng reduces warfarin's effect in healthy patients: a randomized, controlled Trial.Ann Intern Med.(2004-Jul-06)
- ^Dickman JR, Koenig RT, Ji LLAmerican ginseng supplementation induces an oxidative stress in postmenopausal women.J Am Coll Nutr.(2009-Apr)
- ^Smith I, Williamson EM, Putnam S, Farrimond J, Whalley BJEffects and mechanisms of ginseng and ginsenosides on cognition.Nutr Rev.(2014-May)
- ^Ossoukhova A, Owen L, Savage K, Meyer M, Ibarra A, Roller M, Pipingas A, Wesnes K, Scholey AImproved working memory performance following administration of a single dose of American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius L.) to healthy middle-age adults.Hum Psychopharmacol.(2015-Mar)
- ^Iva Mucalo, Elena Jovanovski, Dario Rahelić, Velimir Božikov, Zeljko Romić, Vladimir VuksanEffect of American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius L.) on arterial stiffness in subjects with type-2 diabetes and concomitant hypertensionJ Ethnopharmacol.(2013 Oct 28)
- ^P Mark Stavro, Minna Woo, Tibor F Heim, Lawrence A Leiter, Vladimir VuksanNorth American ginseng exerts a neutral effect on blood pressure in individuals with hypertensionHypertension.(2005 Aug)
- ^Hsu CC, Ho MC, Lin LC, Su B, Hsu MCAmerican ginseng supplementation attenuates creatine kinase level induced by submaximal exercise in human beings.World J Gastroenterol.(2005-Sep-14)