Asian Ginseng vs. American Ginseng
Asian ginseng (Panax ginseng) and American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) are related but different plants. What sources say about each, and why results do not transfer.
Content last updated . This page has not been medically reviewed.
Safety first. Supplements can cause side effects and interact with medicines. Read mushroom safety and interactions before you use any mushroom product.
If you take warfarin or another blood thinner, or you have diabetes, ask a pharmacist or clinician before using any ginseng. MSK reports that American ginseng antagonized warfarin's effects in humans, and that Asian ginseng may increase the blood-sugar-lowering effect of insulin and sulfonylureas. [1][2]
The question
Both plants are called "ginseng" and both belong to the genus Panax, so they are easy to mix up. This page lays out what is documented about each and where the sources do not let us compare them.What each plant is
| Asian ginseng | American ginseng | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Panax ginseng C.A.Mey. [3] | Panax quinquefolius L. [3] |
| Family | Araliaceae [3] | Araliaceae [3] |
| Plant part most used | Root [4] | Root form is not stated on the MSK page we read |
| Native range | Far East, including Korea, northeastern China and far-eastern Siberia [4] | Not stated on the pages we read |
| Traditional use (labelled) | Used as a calming agent in traditional Chinese medicine [4]; the root is widely used as a "Yang" tonic [2] | Frequently used in Chinese medicine to nourish "Yin" [1] |
| Key compounds | Ginsenosides [4] | Ginsenosides [1] |
MSK says plainly that Panax ginseng should not be confused with American ginseng or Siberian ginseng, which have different medicinal properties. [2] "Red" and "white" ginseng are not separate species: both terms refer to Asian ginseng prepared in two different ways. [4] See red vs white ginseng.
What research found (research, not tradition)
| Question | Asian ginseng | American ginseng |
|---|---|---|
| Fatigue | A 2023 review of 19 studies suggested a small benefit of ginseng alone on general fatigue, but not all research agrees (NCCIH). [4] | A large multisite trial reported benefit for cancer-related fatigue; a meta-analysis found benefit for ginseng-containing formulas, not ginseng alone (MSK). [1] |
| Blood sugar | Overall inconclusive and conflicting for blood sugar control in diabetes (NCCIH). [4] | Current data suggest it may help glucose control in people with diabetes (MSK). [1] |
| Thinking and memory | Small research suggests benefit on some measures in middle-aged but not young adults (NCCIH). [4] | May enhance working memory (MSK). [1] |
| Athletic performance | Most research shows no improvement. [4] | Not described in the pages we read |
| Overall | Mostly small trials under 3 months [4]: promising but limited | Studies in humans are limited [1]: promising but limited |
These are separate findings. MSK notes that related species such as Panax ginseng have been the focus of most laboratory and clinical research, so results for one should not be assumed for the other. [1]
Head-to-head evidence
Proper evidence not found. We did not read any trial that gave Asian and American ginseng to the same people and compared them. Any table that puts the two side by side, including the one above, is lining up separate studies on different people, preparations and outcomes.No universal winner
Neither is better by default. The better question is which plant a given study used, what part and extract, and whether you take medicines the sources flag. A fuller three-way look is in American, Asian and Siberian ginseng compared.Frequently asked questions
Are Asian and American ginseng the same thing?
No. They are different species, Panax ginseng and Panax quinquefolius, and MSK says they have different medicinal properties. [2][3]
Which one has more research?
The MSK American ginseng page says most laboratory and clinical research has focused on related species such as Panax ginseng. [1] Neither has large long trials according to the pages we read. [4]
Does American ginseng interact with warfarin?
MSK reports it has been shown to antagonize warfarin's effects in humans. [1] Ask the prescriber or pharmacist; do not change a medicine yourself.
Is Korean red ginseng American ginseng?
No. Red ginseng refers to Asian ginseng prepared a particular way. [4]
Does either one balance hormones or lower cortisol?
We did not find either claim supported in the sources we read, so we do not make it.
More details: evidence, limits and cautions
The details behind this page: cautions, limits of the evidence and where sources disagree. Open any note to read it.
Safety
| Point | Asian ginseng | American ginseng |
|---|---|---|
| Common effects | Insomnia is the most common side effect; severe rash, liver damage and severe allergic reactions have been reported but are uncommon [4] | MSK's patient section lists no reported side effects, but warns about bleeding with blood thinners [1] |
| Blood thinners | Studies on whether it opposes anticoagulants are mixed [2] | Shown to antagonize warfarin's effects in humans [1] |
| Blood sugar medicines | May increase the effect of insulin and sulfonylureas [2] | May lower glucose; reductions in blood glucose may occur [1] |
| Other | Possible mania-like symptoms with MAOI antidepressants; may worsen autoimmune disorders [2][4] | Certain ginsenosides induced a liver enzyme (CYP3A4) in lab studies; clinical relevance not yet determined [1] |
| Pregnancy | Some studies suggest it may be unsafe by mouth in pregnancy [4] | Not described in the pages we read |
| Before surgery | MSK says to stop at least 1 week before surgery; tell the surgical team [2] | Not described in the pages we read |
"Not described in the pages we read" does not mean safe. Contamination and mislabeling affect many supplements, so see quality testing and how interactions work.
References
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Ginseng (American): Purported Benefits, Side Effects & More. Read 2026-10-23.
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Ginseng (Asian): Purported Benefits, Side Effects & More. Read 2026-10-23.
- GBIF Secretariat. GBIF Backbone Taxonomy species match, queried for each plant name used on these pages. Read 2026-10-23.
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NIH). Asian Ginseng: Usefulness and Safety. Page last updated February 2025. Read 2026-10-23.