Panax ginseng: what is it and how do you use ginseng capsules?
Short answer: Panax ginseng is the root of Korean or Asian ginseng, a plant from the ivy family (Araliaceae). You take ginseng capsules with water at a meal, 1 to 2 capsules a day according to our product page. Do not use ginseng for long periods, under the age of 18 or during pregnancy or breastfeeding, and talk to your doctor first if you take medication.
Last updated: 5 November 2026 · Written by Florian Fermin
Ginseng is one of the best-known herbs in the world, but several plants are called "ginseng" and there are many forms: capsules, tablets, tea, tincture and even coffee. At GOYU we sell Panax Ginseng Extract Capsules 500 mg ourselves. Below you can read what Panax ginseng is, how to use ginseng capsules, how much to take per day, what research shows and who it is not suitable for. Where we talk about our own product, we stick to the product page and the label.
What is Panax ginseng?
Panax ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A.Mey.) is a slow-growing plant from the forests of Korea, north-east China and the Russian Far East. It is the fleshy root that is used, often shaped like a small human figure. A plant needs several years before the root can be harvested. Ginseng root has a long history of use in traditional Chinese and Korean culture.
The best-known substances in ginseng root are ginsenosides. How much it contains depends on things like the root and how it is processed (Lee et al., 2015).
Fresh ginseng root spoils quickly. That is why it is dried after harvesting, which is called white ginseng, or first steamed and then dried, which is called red ginseng (Lee et al., 2015). So red and white ginseng come from the same plant; only the processing is different.
Panax ginseng, American and Siberian ginseng: what is the difference?
Only Panax ginseng and American ginseng are true Panax species. Siberian ginseng and Indian ginseng are different plants that share the nickname ginseng. So always check the Latin name on the label.
| Name | Latin name | Plant family | Status in the EU (Novel Food Catalogue) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Panax ginseng (Korean or Asian ginseng) | Panax ginseng C.A.Mey. | Ivy family (Araliaceae) | Not novel in food |
| American ginseng | Panax quinquefolius L. | Ivy family (Araliaceae) | Not novel in food |
| Siberian ginseng | Eleutherococcus senticosus (also Acanthopanax senticosus) | Ivy family (Araliaceae) | Root: not novel in food supplements |
| Indian ginseng (ashwagandha) | Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal | Nightshade family (Solanaceae) | Not novel in food supplements |
The nicknames Siberian, American and Indian ginseng are also listed this way in the French list of plants allowed in food supplements (Compl'Alim). Our capsules contain Panax ginseng: 10:1 ginseng root extract (Panax ginseng).
How to use ginseng capsules and tablets
Take 1 to 2 ginseng capsules a day with water, preferably during or just after a meal. That is what our product page says. The label also says not to use ginseng for long periods: stop after 6 to 8 weeks for at least 2 weeks before starting again.
- Take 1 capsule with a glass of water, during or just after a meal.
- Do not take more than 2 capsules a day.
- Do not use ginseng for longer than 6 to 8 weeks in a row, then take a break of at least 2 weeks.
- If you take medication, especially blood thinners or diabetes medication, talk to your doctor or pharmacist first.
The label does not mention a set time of day. Choose a meal you have every day, so you are less likely to forget.
You use ginseng tablets in the same way: follow the dosage on the pack. The difference is the form. A tablet is pressed powder and may contain additives to hold it together; a capsule is a shell with powder or extract inside. Our capsules contain two ingredients: ginseng root extract and the plant-based HPMC capsule shell.
How much ginseng per day?
According to our product page, 1 to 2 capsules a day, so 500 to 1,000 mg of ginseng extract. Our extract is 10:1: 500 mg of extract corresponds to 5,000 mg of ginseng root. With 2 capsules a day, that is the extract of 10 grams of root.
So do not compare products on milligrams alone. 500 mg of ground ginseng root is not the same as 500 mg of a 10:1 extract. Check whether the label says "root powder" or "extract", and which ratio.
| Capsules per day | 10:1 ginseng extract | Corresponds to ginseng root |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 500 mg | 5,000 mg (5 g) |
| 2 (maximum) | 1,000 mg | 10,000 mg (10 g) |
Ginseng tea, coffee or tincture: what is the difference?
The difference is how much ginseng you take in and how easily you can check it. With capsules, the amount per capsule is on the label. With tea, coffee and other drinks containing ginseng, it varies from product to product.
| Form | What is it? | What to look for? |
|---|---|---|
| Capsules | Root powder or extract in a capsule | Mg per capsule and the extract ratio, for example 10:1 |
| Tablets | Pressed powder or extract | Mg per tablet and the additives in the ingredient list |
| Tincture | Extract in liquid, usually with alcohol | How many ml per day and how much alcohol it contains |
| Tea | Dried root or tea bags to steep | How much ginseng there is per bag or cup |
| Coffee and other drinks | A drink with added ginseng or ginseng extract | Whether the amount of ginseng per serving is on the label |
What does research say about ginseng?
No health claims for ginseng have been finally approved in the EU yet. These claims are awaiting assessment by the European Commission, and we may use them for our Panax Ginseng Extract Capsules:
- Ginseng helps maintain endurance, energy and vitality*
- Ginseng helps counter fatigue*
- Ginseng helps maintain good cognitive performance*
- Ginseng contributes to natural defences*
*Health claim pending approval by the European Commission.
That is why our ginseng is also listed in our supplements for energy and vitality. Which vitamins and minerals do have an approved claim about energy, you can read in supplements and energy.
And what does research show? A 2010 Cochrane review looked for randomised, placebo-controlled studies on ginseng and thinking. Of the 9 studies found, 8 were in healthy participants; the researchers could extract data from 5 studies, but these were too different to combine. Some outcomes came out slightly better, but their conclusion was: there is no convincing evidence that Panax ginseng improves thinking in healthy people. They found no serious side effects (Geng et al., 2010).
A 2018 systematic review looked at 10 studies on Asian and American ginseng in people with fatigue, often alongside a chronic condition. The researchers saw few side effects and modest signs of an effect, and called for better-designed research (Arring et al., 2018).
| Topic | What is known? |
|---|---|
| Health claims in the EU | Not yet finally approved; the claims above are awaiting assessment |
| Thinking in healthy people | Cochrane review: no convincing evidence, studies too different to combine |
| Fatigue | Review of 10 studies: modest signs, better research needed |
| Our product | No research has been done on our capsules themselves |
If you are mainly looking for something for focus, also read which 5 nootropics have been studied best.
Side effects: who should avoid ginseng?
Ginseng is not for children and adolescents under 18, and not for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. If you take medication, especially blood thinners or diabetes medication, do not use ginseng without talking to your doctor or pharmacist.
- Under 18: do not use. According to the European Medicines Agency (EMA), use under the age of 18 has not been studied (EMA, 2024).
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding: do not use. The EMA also advises against use because safety has not been established.
- Diabetes medication: the French list Compl'Alim includes a warning for Panax ginseng that use is not recommended if you take diabetes medication (Compl'Alim). Our product page states that ginseng can affect how blood thinners and diabetes medication work.
- Known side effects: the EMA lists stomach and bowel complaints (stomach discomfort, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and constipation), hypersensitivity reactions such as hives and itching, and poor sleep. How often this happens is not known (EMA, 2024).
- Long-term use: according to our label, stop after 6 to 8 weeks for at least 2 weeks.
If you get any complaints, stop and contact your GP.
Buying Panax ginseng: what to look for?
Look at the Latin name, the plant part, whether it is powder or extract, the dosage and the warnings on the label.
- Latin name: Panax ginseng C.A.Mey. If it says Eleutherococcus or Withania, it is a different plant.
- Plant part: root. That is the part that is traditionally used.
- Powder or extract: an extract should state a ratio (such as 10:1) or a ginsenoside content.
- Dosage and warnings: a good label states a maximum daily dose, the age limit, pregnancy and medication.
- Tested: we have our ginseng independently tested for quality and purity.
- Status in the EU: Panax ginseng is listed in the European Commission's Novel Food Catalogue as not novel in food. In other words, it was already used in the EU before 1997.
You can order our capsules with 500 mg of 10:1 ginseng root extract online: buy Panax ginseng. Other plants and extracts can be found in our herbs and superfoods. If you are torn between ginseng and rhodiola, read what Rhodiola rosea is.
Summary in 3 points
- Panax ginseng is the root of Korean or Asian ginseng. Siberian and Indian ginseng are different plants.
- According to our product page, take 1 to 2 capsules a day with a meal, and according to the label, stop after 6 to 8 weeks for at least 2 weeks.
- Not under 18, not during pregnancy or breastfeeding, and talk to your doctor first if you take medication, especially blood thinners or diabetes medication.
Frequently asked questions
How much ginseng per day?
According to our product page, 1 to 2 capsules a day. That is 500 to 1,000 mg of 10:1 ginseng extract, which corresponds to 5 to 10 grams of ginseng root. Never take more than it says on your pack.
When should you take ginseng?
During or just after a meal, with water. The label does not mention a set time of day. Choose a meal you have every day.
How long can you take ginseng?
Not for long periods. Our label says: stop after a period of use of 6 to 8 weeks for at least 2 weeks before using it again.
Can you take ginseng with medication?
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist first. Ginseng can affect how blood thinners and diabetes medication work. If you take such medication, do not use ginseng without talking to them.
Is ginseng a novel food?
No. Panax ginseng is listed in the European Commission's Novel Food Catalogue as not novel in food. In the French list Compl'Alim, Panax ginseng is also listed as allowed, with the root as an allowed plant part.
Sources
- Lee SM, Bae BS, Park HW, et al. Overview of the history, preparation and composition of Korean red ginseng, including the difference between red and white ginseng. J Ginseng Res. 2015;39(4):384-91. doi:10.1016/j.jgr.2015.04.009. PubMed 26869832
- Geng J, Dong J, Ni H, et al. Cochrane review of randomised, placebo-controlled studies on ginseng and thinking (9 studies, 8 of them in healthy participants). Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2010;(12):CD007769. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD007769.pub2. PubMed 21154383
- Arring NM, Millstine D, Marks LA, Nail LM. Systematic review of 10 studies on Asian and American ginseng in people with fatigue. J Altern Complement Med. 2018;24(7):624-633. doi:10.1089/acm.2017.0361. PubMed 29624410
- European Medicines Agency (HMPC). European Union herbal monograph on Panax ginseng C.A.Mey., radix, revision 1 (EMA/HMPC/27744/2023), 29 May 2024: age, pregnancy, breastfeeding and side effects. ema.europa.eu
- Ministère de l'Agriculture (France). Compl'Alim, Panax ginseng C.A.Mey.: allowed in food supplements, warning for diabetes medication, ANSES/EMA advice for adults only and not during pregnancy or breastfeeding; also Eleutherococcus senticosus (Siberian ginseng), Panax quinquefolius (American ginseng) and Withania somnifera (Indian ginseng), accessed 5 November 2026. compl-alim.beta.gouv.fr
- European Commission. Novel Food Status Catalogue: Panax ginseng (POL-NF-00566) and Panax quinquefolius (POL-NF-00568) not novel in food; Acanthopanax senticosus, root (POL-NF-00074) and Withania somnifera (POL-NF-00786) not novel in food supplements, accessed 5 November 2026. food.ec.europa.eu
- GOYU, product page and packaging text for Panax Ginseng Extract Capsules 500 mg (ingredients, directions, warnings and health claims), accessed 5 November 2026.
This article is for information only and is not medical advice. Food supplements are not a substitute for a varied and balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle. If in doubt, pregnant or taking medication, talk to your GP or pharmacist.
Panax ginseng from GOYU
Panax Ginseng Extract Capsules 500 mg: 10:1 ginseng root extract in a plant-based capsule, with no fillers.
