What does fact checked mean?
At Healthfully, we strive to deliver objective content that is accurate and up-to-date. Our team periodically reviews articles in order to ensure content quality. The sources cited below consist of evidence from peer-reviewed journals, prominent medical organizations, academic associations, and government data.
The information contained on this site is for informational purposes only, and should not be used as a substitute for the advice of a professional health care provider. Please check with the appropriate physician regarding health questions and concerns. Although we strive to deliver accurate and up-to-date information, no guarantee to that effect is made.
The Side Effects of Ginsana Energy
Ginsana Energy is a dietary supplement that claims to facilitate oxygen absorption and utilization, helping your body make the most of its natural energy. Although the scientific evidence on such claims is mixed, the primary ingredient in Ginsana Energy has been used to promote immune function, improve mental and physical performance and control blood pressure. There are potential side effects, however, which is why you should consult your doctor before adding Ginsana Energy to your diet.
If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, seek emergency treatment immediately.
Identification
Ginsana Energy contains a proprietary standardized panax ginseng extract that the manufacturer calls G2G® ginseng, or Ginseng Second Generation 2. Ginseng contains ginsenosides, a class of steroid-like compounds, with the percentage of ginsenosides varying from one plant to another, depending upon where and how the ginseng is grown 2. Ginsana Energy claims to have solved that problem by ensuring that each 200 mg capsule 4 percent ginsenosides. Other ingredients in each capsule include:
- chlorophyll
- sunflower oil
- lecithin
- gelatin
- beeswax
- glycerin
Allergy
Ginseng's Effect on Your Urine Flow
Learn More
Allergies to ginseng are rare, although the manufacturer reports a few cases of a mild allergic skin reaction from handling the product 2. Ginseng has also led to cases of a severe rash called Stevens-Johnson syndrome, which begins with flu-like symptoms followed by a painful red or purplish rash that spreads and blisters 2. If you have acute asthma, you may need to avoid Ginsana Energy and other ginseng products due to the allergen potential 2.
Blood Sugar
Ginseng can cause hypoglycemia, or lowered blood sugar 2. If you have diabetes or are taking insulin or other blood-sugar medications and start taking Ginsana Energy, monitor your blood glucose levels closely and change your medication dose as needed.
Circulatory System
About Yellow Jacket Energy Pills
Learn More
Ginseng increases blood flow and may interfere with blood clotting 2. If you have a bleeding condition, are on a blood thinner or have upcoming surgery, avoid taking Ginsana Energy. Ginseng can affect heart rhythm, particularly on the first day it’s used, and has been associated with changes in blood pressure 2. If you have a heart condition, use Ginsana Energy with caution.
Gastrointestinal
Like other ginseng products, Ginsana Energy may cause:
- gastrointestinal problems including gas
- heartburn
- nausea
- cramps
- diarrhea 2
If you have acid reflux disease or a hiatal hernia, use Ginsana Energy in moderation and discontinue its use if your symptoms get worse.
Sleep and Mood
Ginseng can cause nervousness, restlessness and insomnia in sensitive individuals 2. Although the maker of Ginsana Energy reports no serious side effects with the product when used as directed, overdoses of any ginseng product can make these problems worse 2. There have been cases of a woman with a previous affective disorder having a manic episode taking ginseng, and a man with no history of mental illness becoming manic following chronic consumption of 250 mg panax ginseng three times a day 2.
Women’s Concerns
Don’t take Ginsana Energy if you’re pregnant or nursing, as one of the chemicals in panax ginseng has been found to cause birth defects in animals 2. Higher dosages of ginseng can also lead to breast pain, excessive menstruation and vaginal bleeding 2. The ginsenosides in panax ginseng can act like estrogen, so if you have a hormone-based cancer such as breast or uterine cancer, don’t use panax ginseng products 2.
Related Articles
References
- “American Family Physician”; Panax Ginseng; David Kiefer, M.D.; October 2003
- Zhion.com: Ginseng
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center: Ginseng; January 2011
- Shishtar E, Sievenpiper JL, Djedovic V, et al. The effect of ginseng (the genus panax) on glycemic control: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled clinical trials. PLoS One. 2014;9(9):e107391. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0107391
- Szczuka D, Nowak A, Zakłos-Szyda M, et al. American ginseng (Panax quinquefolium L.) as a source of bioactive phytochemicals with pro-health properties. Nutrients. 2019;11(5):1041. doi:10.3390/nu11051041
- Lho SK, Kim TH, Kwak KP, et al. Effects of lifetime cumulative ginseng intake on cognitive function in late life. Alzheimers Res Ther. 2018;10(1):50. doi:10.1186/s13195-018-0380-0
- Khera M, Goldstein I. Erectile dysfunction. BMJ Clin Evid. 2011;2011:1803.
- Ernst E, Posadzki P, Soo Lee M. Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) for sexual dysfunction and erectile dysfunction in older men and women: an overview of systematic reviews. Maturitas. 2011;70(1):37-41. doi:10.1016/j.maturitas.2011.06.011
- Lee NH, Yoo SR, Kim HG, Cho JH, Son CG. Safety and tolerability of Panax ginseng root extract: a randomized, placebo-controlled, clinical trial in healthy Korean volunteers. J Altern Complement Med. 2012;18(11):1061–1069. doi:10.1089/acm.2011.0591
- Sellami M, Slimeni O, Pokrywka A, et al. Herbal medicine for sports: a review. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2018;15:14. doi:10.1186/s12970-018-0218-y
- NIH. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Medicine. Asian ginseng. Updated September 2016.
- Drugs.com. Ginseng. Updated December 2, 2019
- Qi LW, Wang CZ, Du GJ, Zhang ZY, Calway T, Yuan CS. Metabolism of ginseng and its interactions with drugs. Curr Drug Metab. 2011;12(9):818–822. doi:10.2174/138920011797470128
- Epstein NE. Preoperative measures to prevent/minimize risk of surgical site infection in spinal surgery. Surg Neurol Int. 2018;9:251. doi:10.4103/sni.sni_372_18
- Drugs.com. Ginseng drug interactions. Updated December 2, 2019.
- Malati CY, Robertson SM, Hunt JD, et al. Influence of Panax ginseng on cytochrome P450 (CYP)3A and P-glycoprotein (P-gp) activity in healthy participants. J Clin Pharmacol. 2012;52(6):932–939. doi:10.1177/0091270011407194
- He Y, Yang J, Lv Y, et al. A review of ginseng clinical trials registered in the WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform. Biomed Res Int. 2018;2018:1843142. doi:10.1155/2018/1843142
- MedlinePlus. Siberian ginseng. Updated November 7, 2019.
Writer Bio
Bonnie Singleton has been writing professionally since 1996. She has written for various newspapers and magazines including "The Washington Times" and "Woman's World." She also wrote for the BBC-TV news magazine "From Washington" and worked for Discovery Channel online for more than a decade. Singleton holds a master's degree in musicology from Florida State University and is a member of the American Independent Writers.