The use of natural herbs for medical treatment is known as complementary medicine, and according to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 38 percent of American adults are currently using some form. While using herbs such as ginseng has medical benefits, you should not try to use them for medicinal purposes without the supervision of your physician or alternative health care provider, as there can be complications and interactions with other products. When it comes to thinning the blood with ginseng, it depends on which ginseng variety you are looking at.
Ginseng
Ginseng is a plant in which the root is the part used for medicinal purposes. According to the Institutes of Health, there are different forms of ginseng, including Panax, American and Siberian. Each form of ginseng works a little differently and is used to treat different conditions. Siberian ginseng is used for stress and conditions such as high blood pressure, atherosclerosis, kidney disease and Alzheimer’s. Panax ginseng is used for improving thinking and concentration, depression, anxiety and boosting the immune system. American ginseng is used to boost the immune system and fight colds and infections.
Medical Research
Researchers have looked at the varieties of ginseng for their medical benefits and effects on blood thinning and clotting. A 2009 study published in the “Journal of Enthnopharmacology” looked at the effects of Panax ginseng on the effects of platelet aggregation, or the stickiness of platelets, and blood coagulation in different forms. They determined that Panax ginseng had both antiplatelet and anticoagulant effects, with the steamed tonic showing the most effects.
Interactions With Medication
Patients needing to thin their blood or alter their blood’s clotting properties are diagnosed with conditions such as irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure, replacement heart valves or have previously suffered a heart attack or stroke. If you are seeing a traditional health care provider, he may have prescribed a medication called warfarin, or its brand-name Coumadin. Coumadin works to reduce the clotting time in your blood. The various forms of ginseng can interact with this medication. Panax and Siberian ginseng both work as natural blood thinners and, when taken at the same time as Coumadin, can increase your risk for bleeding. American ginseng works a little differently and will counteract the effects of the Coumadin and can increase your risk for clotting.
Considerations
If you are considering using ginseng for thinning the blood, it is important to consult with your physician on which ginseng would be beneficial and the dose you should be taking. If you are a patient taking Coumadin, it is essential to let your physician know. He may need to adjust your medication dosage to take the ginseng into account. If you are taking Panax or Siberian ginseng, he may need to reduce your medication amount or advise you to stop taking it. If you are using American ginseng, he may need to increase your medication dosage. While complementary medicine does have its benefits, it is best used under the supervision of a qualified health care provider. A 2007 study published in the “Annals of Pharmacotherapy” looked at the potential interactions and complications of complementary treatments in the Medicare population. In their study, the researchers found that some 379 patients were at risk of bleeding because of combinations like ginseng and Coumadin. This emphasizes the need for education on the possible risks of complementary and traditional medicine interactions.
References
- National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine; The Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine in the United States; December 2008
- “Journal of Enthnopharmacology”; Antiplatelet and Anticoagulant Effects of Panax Notoginseng: Comparison of Raw and Steamed Panax Notoginseng With Panax Ginseng and Panax Quinquefolium; A. J. Lau et al.; September 2009
- “Annals of Pharmacotherapy”; Potential Interactions Between Complementary/Alternative Products and Conventional Medicines in a Medicare Population; G. W. Elmer et al.; October 2007
- Medline Plus; American Ginseng; February 2011
- Medline Plus; Warfarin; September 2008
- Medline Plus; Siberian Ginseng; July 2011
- Medline Plus; Panax Ginseng; July 2011
Member Comments