AEGiS-GMHC: Common Alternative Therapies: Ginseng

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1993. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

Common Alternative Therapies: Ginseng

Gay Men's Health Crisis: Treatment Issues, Volume 7 no. 11/12 - Winter, 1993/94
Bree Scott-Hartland

Ginseng root is an herb that has been used extensively throughout Southeast Asia and China for various treatments. There are three different families of ginseng: the Oriental and American ginsengs ("Panax ginseng"), the Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus), and the desert ginseng (Rumex hymenosepalus). For thousands of years, Ginseng has been considered by many to be the most prized of herbal remedies, containing a host of alleged benefits including anti-fatigue, anti-stress, and other systemic benefits. It has been suggested that Panax ginseng may increase natural killer cell activity. In a double-blind, human trial, trial subjects were given standardized doses of 100mg Panax ginseng in capsule form every twelve hours for eight weeks.[1] Among other parameters, T8 and T4 cells were looked at, but there was no significant change in either the placebo group or the group receiving the capsules.

Mice given immunosuppresive doses of cyclophosphamide also showed increases in Natural Killer cell activity after Panax ginseng.[2] Panax and Eleutherococcus can produce insomnia, diarrhea, nervousness, depression and skin rash. Ginsengs can amplify the effect of certain anti-depressant medications and, due to the small amount of estrogens in the plant, can affect menstruation in women.[3]

1. Scaglione F, et al, Drugs Under Experimental and Clinical Research, 1990; 16(10):537-42.

2. Kim JY, et al. Immunopharm. & Toxiciology, 1990; 12(2):257-76.

3. Korsia, S. IHITTG. 1992; 7:3-4.

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Copyright © 1993 - Treatment Issues. Reproduced with permission. Treatment Issues is published twelve times yearly by GMHC, Inc. All rights reserved. Noncommercial reproduction is encouraged. Subscription lists are kept confidential. GMHC Treatment Issues, The Tisch Building, 119 West 24th Street, New York, NY 10011 fredg@gmhc.org http://www.gmhc.org

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