Who Shouldn't take Panax Ginseng?

Panax ginseng, also known as Asian, Chinese or Korean ginseng, offers a variety of health benefits and the capacity to treat dozens of common conditions. Panax ginseng may help to prevent or treat several forms of cancer, and it can combat symptoms of colds, flu, sexual dysfunction, cognitive problems and diabetes.

Panax ginseng is usually safe and associated with few side effects, but there are some Panax ginseng contraindications-- situations that increase the likelihood of very serious side effects. You should not take Panax ginseng if you fall into any of these high-risk categories.

Pregnant Women

Pregnancy is often regarded as a Panax ginseng contraindication, even though it has been used historically during pregnancy with few reports of adverse effects. In lab animals, a compound in Panax ginseng causes birth defects in fetuses exposed to large amounts. It could also increase the risk of complications if you have to have a C-section to deliver your baby. To err on the side of caution, it is best to avoid Panax ginseng during all stages of pregnancy.

Children

Children under 12 should not take Panax ginseng. In babies, it has caused poisoning and may be fatal for small children. Even in older children, ginseng's benefits do not appear to outweigh these risks. No studies have evaluated the long-term effects of Panax ginseng on a child's development.

People with Autoimmune Diseases

Panax ginseng stimulates immune function, so it may worsen symptoms of autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis and inflammatory bowel disease. This could cause severely uncomfortable, or, at worst, life-threatening problems for people with these conditions. Do not use Panax ginseng if you have an autoimmune disease.

Organ Transplant Patients

If you have had an organ transplant recently, Panax ginseng may increase your immune function, causing your body to reject the new organ. For this reason, people who are having organ transplants should not use Panax ginseng. Do not use Panax ginseng within one month of an organ transplant; wait until your physician approves before taking it afterward.