special subjects
Ginseng
Introduction
Ginsengis a family of plants. Dietary supplements are derived from Americanginseng(Panax quinquefolius) or Asianginseng(Panaxginseng). Siberianginseng(Eleutherococcus senticosus) is a different genus and does not contain the ingredients believed to be active in the 2 forms used in supplements. Ginsengcan be taken as fresh or dried roots, extracts, solutions, capsules, tablets, sodas, and teas or used as cosmetics. Active ingredients in Americanginsengare panaxosides (saponin glycosides). Active ingredients in Asianginsengare ginsenosides (triterpenoid glycosides). Manyginsengproducts contain little or no detectable active ingredient. In very few cases, someginsengproducts from Asia have been purposefully mixed with mandrake root, which has been used to induce vomiting, or with the drugs phenylbutazone or aminopyrine. These drugs have been removed from the US market because of significant adverse effects. (See also Overview of Dietary Supplements .) 