Question about ginseng and statin interactions?!
Question:
Question about ginseng and statin interactions?
1. Can you take ginseng with a statin?
2. How long do you take ginseng for? Would take it for the rest of your life? Would you take it for a couple weeks, stop for a few weeks and then resume the cycle?
Answers:
Korean ginseng, also know as Panax, is the most expensive of the three ginsengs.
Korean ginseng has been used to lower cholesterol, balance the metabolism, increase energy levels, and stimulate the immune system. It has also been used to alleviate fatigue and reduce nervousness and stress on the body.
Dosage: Select a product that is standardized to contain at least 7% ginsenosides.
For general health and combating fatigue: Take 100 to 250 mg Panax ginseng once or twice a day.
To support the body in times of stress or during recovery from an illness: Take 100 to 250 mg twice a day.
For male impotence and infertility: Take 100 to 250 mg twice a day.
Guidelines for use: Start at the lower end of the dosage range and increase your intake gradually. Some experts recommend that you stop taking ginseng for a week every two or three weeks and then resume your regular dose. In some cases, ginseng may be rotated with other immune-stimulating herbs, such as astragalus or Siberian ginseng.
Shopping Hints -
Read labels carefully to be sure you're getting Panax ginseng. Other kinds, such as American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) and Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus), produce different effects.
Vials of ginseng elixir sold at convenience stores have become popular energy tonics, especially among young kids and teens. They often contain little (if any) ginseng, however, and may have a high alcohol content.
Warnings -
Don't take Panax ginseng if you have uncontrolled high blood pressure or a heart rhythm irregularity.
Don't use Panax ginseng if you are pregnant.
Consult your doctor if you're using blood pressure medications.
Panax ginseng increases the risk of overstimulation and stomach upset when taken with neurology drugs such as Ritalin.
Don't use Panax ginseng if you take MAO inhibitor drugs.
Long-term use of Panax ginseng may require a change in insulin or other diabetes medications.
If you're taking the diuretic furosemide, Panax ginseng may intensify the blood pressure-lowering effects of the drug.