American Ginseng
Panax quinquefolius
North American ginseng, a root studied for preventing colds. Taken for 8 to 16 weeks, it shortened colds in healthy adults in a small number of trials.
Safety at a glance
- PregnancyNothing recorded
- BreastfeedingNothing recorded
- MedicinesNothing recorded
- Who should avoid itNothing recorded
- AllergiesNothing recorded
- ToxicityNothing recorded
Tap a box to read the safety notes below. “Nothing recorded” means our sources don't cover it, not that it's safe.
What is American Ginseng?
- Plant family
- Araliaceae, the ginseng family
- Parts used
- The root
- Genus
- Panax
- Species
- quinquefolius
Also called
Panax quinquefolius, North American Ginseng
Traditionally used for
- Colds
- Immune support
Traditionally described as
- Immune support
Health topics
Where American Ginseng appears in symptom search, and why. Being listed doesn't mean it's a proven treatment.
- Colds and Nasal Congestion
Studied for preventing colds; it may shorten them but may not prevent them.
- Immune Support (Colds and Flu)
Taken for 8 to 16 weeks, it shortened colds in healthy adults in a few trials; evidence is inconsistent.
How it's prepared
Common ways American Ginseng is prepared or sold. This isn't advice on how to take it; see Safety below.
- Capsule
It's also sold as capsules.[1]Health agency
- Extract
The root is used as the crude drug or as extracts.[1]Health agency
- Tincture
American ginseng tinctures (alcohol extracts) are also used.[1]Health agency
Safety
Side effects
In the cold-prevention trials, side effects were mostly digestive. In one trial they were more common with ginseng than placebo (7% vs 1%).[2]Review or trial
What does the research say?
Research in people
A review of 5 trials with 747 healthy adults, all testing North American ginseng, found:
- In one trial, it cut the total number of colds by 25% compared with placebo.
- There was a trend toward fewer people catching a cold or respiratory infection, but it wasn't statistically significant.
- In two trials, colds lasted about 6 days less.
The authors concluded it may shorten colds when taken for 8 to 16 weeks to prevent them, but there isn't enough evidence that it reduces how often or how badly people get colds.[2]Review or trial
Technical detail: incidence RR 0.70 (95% CI 0.48 to 1.02); duration −6.2 days (95% CI 3.4 to 9.0); trial quality varied widely.
A review for family doctors found the evidence for North American ginseng in preventing colds inconsistent, and said it needs more research.[3]Study
In short
Can cause digestive upset; evidence on preventing colds is inconsistent.
Sources
- [1] WHO monographs on selected medicinal plants, Volume 4 — "Radix Panacis Quinquefolii" monograph — World Health OrganizationGovernment health agency
- [2] North American (Panax quinquefolius) and Asian Ginseng (Panax ginseng) Preparations for Prevention of the Common Cold in Healthy Adults: A Systematic Review — Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine · DOI: 10.1093/ecam/nep068Review or clinical trial
- [3] Complementary and alternative medicine for prevention and treatment of the common cold — Canadian Family PhysicianPeer-reviewed study
This information is educational and traditional in nature, and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Unfamiliar word? See what these words mean.