FATIGUE & RECOVERY

American Ginseng

Panax quinquefolius

also known as American ginseng

Moderate

A North American forest root, harvested by Indigenous peoples for centuries before becoming one of the most valuable wild-harvested plants in North American history — exported to China since the 1700s. American ginseng is considered cooling and calming in traditional Chinese medicine, the opposite of its warming, stimulating Asian cousin. The ginseng most likely to settle the body rather than rev it up.

May reduce cold and flu duration when taken consistently during cold season
Adaptogen — helps the body cope with stress
Some evidence for steadier blood sugar in type 2 diabetes
May modestly improve mental performance, particularly under fatigue
Calmer character than Asian ginseng — less likely to cause overstimulation or sleep disruption
Long Indigenous use across Eastern North America before colonial export
Standardized to ginsenoside content; quality varies enormously between products

Mild blood-thinning effect — caution with blood thinners

Use caution with diabetes medication — may lower blood sugar further

May interact with MAOIs and stimulants

Use caution with hormone-sensitive conditions — ginseng has weak estrogen-like activity

Wild American ginseng populations are critically over-harvested — choose cultivated sources to support remaining wild stands

Skip during pregnancy and nursing

Stop two weeks before surgery

Memorial Sloan Kettering About Herbs · EMA Herbal Medicinal Product Monographs · American Botanical Council HerbMedPro

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