Panax ginseng supplements are generally considered safe. A systematic review assessing the safety of ginseng use in humans reported a low incidence of harm, with side effects primarily related to gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and cramps.[1][2]
However, high doses and long-term usage may lead to the development of the so-called “ginseng abuse syndrome”, characterized by symptoms such as hypertension, nervousness, sleeplessness, diarrhea, and skin eruptions when taking 3 grams of Panax ginseng per day. Higher dosages (15 grams per day or more) have also been associated with depersonalization, confusion, and depression.[3][4][5]
Furthermore, Panax ginseng exhibits mild inhibitory effects on some enzymes from the CYP450 family, such as CYP1A2, CYP2C9, and CYP3A4, which are involved in the metabolism of certain medications. This interaction appears to be of small significance and is unlikely to be clinically meaningful.[6]