If you have high blood pressure, or hypertension, you have an increased risk for health conditions including stroke, heart attack and heart disease. Exercising and making dietary changes can help lower your blood pressure, but if these changes do not have enough of an impact on your blood pressure you may also need to take medication. Some people taking Korean ginseng as an herbal remedy experience changes in their blood pressure.
Korean Ginseng
Korean ginseng, also called Panax ginseng or Asian ginseng, is not the same as American ginseng or Siberian ginseng. These three types of ginseng have different effects on the body, and should not be used interchangeably. Korean ginseng may be beneficial in the treatment of health conditions including impotence and diabetes and may also improve mental and immune function.
Korean Ginseng and Blood Pressure
Different studies have shown different results with regard to Korean ginseng and blood pressure, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Further research is necessary to determine why Korean ginseng appears to lower blood pressure in some cases and increase it in others. Avoid taking Korean ginseng if you have high blood pressure until the effect of this herbal supplement on blood pressure is better understood.
Side Effects and Interactions
Korean ginseng can cause side effects including insomnia, nervousness, headache, vomiting, diarrhea, anxiety, nosebleed, euphoria, vaginal bleeding, low blood sugar, restlessness, increased heart rate, breast pain, loss of appetite, dizziness, itching and rash. Taking Korean ginseng for an extended time or in high doses increases the risk for side effects. Korean ginseng can also interact with blood thinners, blood pressure medications, diabetes medications, caffeine, MAOIs and stimulants.
Recommendations
Do not self-treat any condition with Korean ginseng or take Korean ginseng in place of the treatment recommended by your doctor. Speak with your doctor before taking Korean ginseng to make sure it would be safe for you. Pregnant women, people with bipolar disorder, hormone sensitive conditions, auto immune diseases, heart disease, bleeding conditions and those who have had organ transplants should not take this herbal medicine.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Asian Ginseng
- MedlinePlus: Ginseng, Panax
- "American Family Physician"; Panax Ginseng; David Kiefer, et al.; October 2003
- National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine; Asian Ginseng; September 2005
- MayoClinic.com; High Blood Pressure (Hypertension); March 2011
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