What is it used for?
Used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for deficiency of qi and yin, internal heat, cough, fire in the deficiency syndrome, dysphoria and tiredness, dry and thirsty mouth and throat [Source note 2].
Used in Herbal Medicine as supportive therapy for the promotion of healthy (blood) glucose/sugar levels (Dascalu et al. 2007; Vuksan et al. 2000a,b,c).
(Traditionally) used in Herbal Medicine to help relieve restlessness and/or nervousness (nervine/calmative) [Source note 3].
(Traditionally) used in Herbal Medicine to help relieve nervous dyspepsia/to help digestion in cases of nervousness and/or stress [Source note 4].
Used in Herbal Medicine as an adaptogen to help maintain a healthy immune system [Source note 5].
Used in Herbal Medicine as an adaptogen to help increase energy and resistance to stress over time (e.g. in case of mental and physical fatigue related to stress) [Source note 6].
The above uses can be combined on the product label if from the same traditional or non-traditional system of medicine (e.g., Used in Herbal Medicine to help digestion in cases of nervousness or stress and as supportive therapy for the promotion of healthy glucose levels).
For multi-ingredient products:
To prevent the product from being represented as a "traditional medicine", any indicated traditional use claim must refer to the specific active ingredient(s) and recognized traditional system of medicine from which the claim originates when 1) both traditional and modern claims are present or 2) when claims originate from multiple systems of traditional medicine (e.g., source ginseng is traditionally used in Herbal Medicine to help relieve restlessness and/or nervousness).
When ALL of the active ingredients (MIs) in the product are used within the SAME identified system of traditional medicine AND the product makes ONLY traditional claims, listing of MIs in the traditional claim(s) is not required.
Who does this guide cover?
Adults 18 years and older
How is it taken?
Oral
Which forms are covered?
this reference excludes foods or food-like dosage forms as indicated in the Compendium of references Guidance Document.
Quantities
Glucose levels; Restlessness/Nervousness; Nervous dyspepsia/Digestion
Methods of preparation: Dry, Powdered, Non-Standardized Extracts (Dry extract*, Tincture, Fluid extract, Decoction, Decoction concentrate, Infusion, Infusion concentrate)
0.5 - 12 grams dried root, per day [Source note 7].
*Note: Solvents allowed for the method of preparation “Non-Standardized extracts (Dry extract)” as part of this reference are ethanol and/or water only.
Adaptogen - energy and resistance to stress; Adaptogen - immune system
Methods of preparation: Dry, Powdered, Non-Standardized Ethanolic Extracts (Dry extract, Tincture, Fluid extract)
1 - 3 grams dried root, per day [Source note 8].
Adaptogen - energy and resistance to stress
Methods of preparation: Non-Standardized Aqueous Extracts (Dry extract, Decoction, Decoction concentrate, Infusion, Infusion concentrate)
6 - 9 grams dried root, per day; Not to exceed 3 grams per single dose [Source note 9].
TCM
Methods of preparation: Decoction, Decoction concentrate
2.4 - 9 grams dried root, per day [Source note 10].
How is it used?
The reference does not require an additional label statement in this section. This does not establish an absence of risk.
How long is it used?
The reference does not require an additional label statement in this section. This does not establish an absence of risk.
Warnings and precautions
All products
Ask a healthcare professional before use if you are taking blood thinners or digoxin [Source note 11].
Ask a healthcare professional before use if you have diabetes (Brinker 2010; Dascalu et al. 2007; Vuksan et al. 2000a,b,c).
All products except Glucose levels and Adaptogen - immune system
Ask a healthcare professional if symptoms persist or worsen.
When should it be avoided?
The reference does not require an additional label statement in this section. This does not establish an absence of risk.
Possible side effects
The reference does not require an additional label statement in this section. This does not establish an absence of risk.
Storage
Must be established in accordance with the requirements described in the applicable product regulations.
Preparation details
Ingredient identity, preparation requirements, and other details that define the scope of this guide.
Ingredients and preparations
| Proper name(s) | Common name(s) | Source information / Source material(s) | Source information / Part(s) | Source information / Preparation(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Panax quinquefolius |
| Panax quinquefolius | Root | Dry |
References: Proper name: USDA 2024; Kim et al. 2019; Common names: USDA 2024; Kim et al. 2019; PPRC 2020; Gardner and McGuffin 2013; Source information: PPRC 2020; Lust 1974; Wren 1956.
Other ingredients
Must be chosen from the current source ingredient database and must meet the limitations outlined in the database.
Preparation and quality requirements
The finished product specifications must be established in accordance with the requirements described in the source authority source’s product quality guidance.
The active ingredient must comply with the requirements outlined in the source ingredient database.
Guide change history
Updates to this SupplementSafety.org guide.
Minor updates
Updated guide wording, organization, and source presentation. Added our editorial change history.
Initial release
Initial SupplementSafety.org guide prepared from source reference material.
Validation: Not yet completed. Editorial updates do not constitute clinical validation.
Sources
Source information
This guide organizes source material about uses, preparations, amounts, and precautions. Read the conditions alongside each statement; the information may apply only to particular preparations or populations.
The source document includes supporting references. We have not independently summarized or assessed every cited study for this guide.
- Source document version
- January 30, 2026
- Source captured
- Aug 15, 2026
- Editorial work
- Editorial preparation. Independent clinical review has not been recorded for this guide.
Full citations are available through the link above. Verification is required to open them; reading this guide does not require verification.
Taking a medication too?
Explore our supplement–medication interaction checker. Its coverage and review status are shown with the results; a missing finding does not establish that a combination is safe.