The medicinal use of ginseng dates back thousands of years, back to when it was believed that because ginseng root resembles the shape of a human body, it could treat many different ailments. Modern preliminary human trials have evaluated ginseng for several conditions, including diabetes. However, there is not enough scientific information to recommend ginseng for managing diabetes. If you have diabetes, consult with your doctor before using ginseng.
Treatment
Diabetes is a chronic disease characterized by abnormally high blood sugar levels. If you have diabetes, make sure that your blood sugar levels are under control, because having too much sugar in your blood over time can cause serious health complications, including damage to your eyes, heart, kidney and nerves. Exercise, controlling your weight, and a healthy meal plan can help control your diabetes. Some people also use herbal supplements, such as ginseng, to help lower blood sugar levels.
How Ginseng Works
Ginseng refers to both American ginseng and Asian or Korean ginseng, which belong to the same species of plants. Both plants contain chemicals called ginsenosides, which may be responsible for the health benefits of ginseng. Ginsenosides may help in the management of diabetes because they are thought to affect insulin levels in the body and lower blood sugar.
Dosing
According to the National Institutes of Health, or NIH, the usual dose of American ginseng used in research studies to lower blood sugar levels after a meal in type 2 diabetes is 3 g, up to two hours before the meal. If you take American ginseng more than two hours before a meal, your blood sugar may become too low. Research studies have used Asian ginseng in doses of 200 mg daily for type 2 diabetes.
Effectiveness
Several human trials have evaluated ginseng in type 2 diabetes, the more common type of diabetes where the body does not properly respond to the insulin it is producing. Preliminary studies have shown that both American and Asian ginseng lower blood sugar levels in type 2 diabetics. However, a few small studies showed that Asian ginseng increased blood sugar levels, which may be due to different ginsenosides present in Asian ginseng. More research is needed to confirm these results.
