The American Herbal Products Association considers most herbal supplement products to be safe. Ginseng is an herbal product that is typically used for strengthening the immune system. Similar to any other supplement, ginseng has side effects. If taken in large doses, ginseng may leave you feeling dizzy.
Ginseng
The root of the ginseng plant is where supplements get their ingredients. The root may be dried and ground into power, capsule or changed into a liquid form. In China, only those over the age of 60 usually ingest ginseng. Please speak with your doctor before taking this or any other supplement, as ginseng may interfere with blood pressure medications and diabetes sugar levels.
Vertigo
Vertigo is a sensation that the room is spinning without you. This feeling of dizziness may be incapacitating. In 1989, Eye Science magazine reported two cases of ginseng overdose that resulted in symptoms of dizziness. Vertigo may last for hours or days depending on your reaction to the supplement. Typically, upon supplement removal, vertigo subsides.
Side Effects
In addition to the rare side effect of vertigo, The Encyclopedia of Mental Disorders also lists dizziness as a side effect of ginseng supplementation. Dizziness can come and go throughout the day and the episodes are usually shorter than those accompanying vertigo. Other side effects include nausea, vomiting, insomnia, agitation and high blood pressure.
Dosage
Ginseng is available in different forms. For Korean ginseng, recommended dosages are 2 to 8 g daily as a tonic. For American ginseng, 1 to 3 g taken two to three times a day is suggested. For Siberian ginseng in powdered form, 1 to 2 grams per day are recommended. In Asian culture, the suggested pattern for ginseng is to take the supplement for two months and then stop for one month before using it again. Chinese medicine encourages using ginseng only in the winter months to enhance your immune system.
Warnings
Ginseng is not a drug and therefore cannot be controlled by the Federal Drug Administration. The United States General Accounting Office reports that levels of ginseng in supplements have been found to be five times higher than what is listed on the package, so use caution regarding your dosage to avoid episodes of dizziness.
