Compound or practice · Supplement
Panax Ginseng
A classic tonic with scattered small wins for fatigue, cognition, and erectile function — rarely dramatic, watch drug interactions.
- Overall grade
- Grade C
- Last revised
- 3
- graded outcomes
- 0
- references listed
A structured monograph in Prometheus's bundled library. Its grades are the monograph's own reading of the evidence, not a peer-reviewed review.
1 at grade B · 2 at grade C — 3 graded rows
What is known
Each outcome with its grade (how strong the evidence is, A to D), the size of the effect where the entry records one, and how often studies agree.
- Erectile functionEvidence grade B
Best-supported use
Moderatemixed
- FatigueEvidence grade C
Small, heterogeneous
Smallmixed
- CognitionEvidence grade C
Inconsistent
Smalllow
What is uncertain
Read off the same rows as above. Nothing here is added that the entry does not itself record.
- Thin evidence: Fatigue (grade C); Cognition (grade C).
- Studies disagree: Erectile function (mixed agreement).
- Caution with Anticoagulants (warfarin): May reduce warfarin effect — monitor INR.
- Caution with Metformin: Additive glucose lowering — watch for lows.
Interactions
Documented pairings with supplements and medicines. A medicine on this list is a conversation for whoever prescribes it.
Anticoagulants (warfarin)Caution
May reduce warfarin effect — monitor INR.
MetforminCaution
Additive glucose lowering — watch for lows.
The evidence in words
What it is
Panax ginseng is the ginsenoside-rich root used for centuries as a tonic. It is distinct from American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) and unrelated to Siberian 'ginseng' (eleuthero).
How it works
Ginsenosides have wide-ranging signaling effects — nitric-oxide modulation, anti-inflammatory and possible neuroprotective actions — which is both its appeal and why effects are diffuse and hard to pin down.
What the evidence shows
Trials scatter across small benefits: modest improvements in fatigue, some cognitive measures, glucose control, and erectile function (better-supported for the latter). Heterogeneous extracts make pooling hard. A reasonable tonic, not a reliable lever, and it carries real drug-interaction cautions.
How to use it
200–400 mg of a standardized extract daily; cycling is traditional but not evidence-mandated.
Safety & interactions
Can be over-stimulating and may lower blood glucose (additive with diabetes drugs) and affect blood pressure; interacts with warfarin and, theoretically, MAOIs. Clear it if on those medications. warfarin — May reduce warfarin effect — monitor INR. metformin — Additive glucose lowering — watch for lows.
Bottom line
A broad, mild tonic with its best evidence for erectile function and fatigue. Modest at best, and a genuine interaction risk with anticoagulants and glucose-lowering drugs.
How it is used
As the entry records it, from the studies it summarises. Not a recommendation for you — doses that suit a trial population may not suit you.
- Standard
- 200–400 mg standardized extract daily.
Related reading
Entries that share this one's tags or conditions.
- Panax Ginseng for CognitionEvidence grade C — InconsistentEvidence grade C
- Panax Ginseng for FatigueEvidence grade C — Small, heterogeneousEvidence grade C
- Panax Ginseng for Erectile functionEvidence grade B — Best-supported useEvidence grade B
- Panax Ginseng: dosage and how to take it200–400 mg standardized extract daily.Evidence grade C
Sources
This entry lists no references of its own.
Last revised . A grade is this entry's reading of the evidence, not medical advice.