Quick answer
NCCIH says some experts recommend against Asian ginseng for infants and children. Two small randomized trials, one of Korean red ginseng in 70 children aged 6 to 15 and one of American ginseng in 46 children aged 3 to 12, reported no serious adverse events. Ask your pediatrician before giving ginseng to a child.1,2,3
Key facts
- NCCIH says some experts recommend against the use of Asian ginseng by infants, children and women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.1
- In a randomized trial of 70 children aged 6 to 15, a Korean red ginseng extract taken twice a day for 8 weeks was linked to no serious adverse events.2
- A phase II trial of American ginseng, a different species, in 46 children aged 3 to 12 reported no serious adverse events either.3
- A position stand says energy drinks, which often contain ginseng, are not recommended for children aged 2 to 12, and that adolescents should use caution.4
- Trouble sleeping is the most common side effect of Asian ginseng in adults.1
What does NCCIH say about children and ginseng?
NCCIH's page on Asian ginseng gives a general view of safety for adults, and then names children among the groups for whom caution is advised. It says that questions have been raised about long-term safety, and that some experts recommend against its use by infants, children and women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.1
The page does not give an age cutoff, an amount for children, or the reasoning behind the experts' advice. It is a warning without a threshold, so it reads as a reason to ask first, not as a rule.1
What have trials in children found?
Two randomized trials gave ginseng to children and reported on safety. Neither is large, and neither is proof that ginseng is free of risk.2,3
| Trial | Children | Safety result |
|---|---|---|
| Korean red ginseng extract versus placebo, 8 weeks | 70 children aged 6 to 15 with attention and hyperactivity symptoms | No serious adverse events in either group |
| American ginseng extract at two dosing schedules versus placebo (a different species) | 46 children aged 3 to 12 who developed an upper respiratory tract infection | No serious adverse events; the number and severity of events did not differ among the three groups |
Both trials were short and run by researchers for specific reasons, so they say little about long use or about children who take ginseng from a store shelf. Neither is an official source, and neither changes NCCIH's caution.2,3
What about teens who drink energy drinks?
Many teens meet ginseng as an energy drink ingredient. The International Society of Sports Nutrition lists ginseng among the common ingredients and says limited evidence exists on the safety of these drinks for adolescents aged 12 to 18, who should use caution and seek parental guidance, particularly with large amounts. It says the drinks are not recommended for children aged 2 to 12.4
The stand's concern is the drinks as a whole, chiefly their caffeine, so it cannot be applied to ginseng alone. It does show that ginseng reaches young people through energy drinks as well as through supplements.4
Which adult cautions could still matter for a young person?
Trouble sleeping is the most common side effect of Asian ginseng.1,5
NCCIH's other cautions are written for the public in general. They include that Asian ginseng might lower blood sugar and might interfere with blood clotting, which matters for a child or teen with diabetes or a bleeding problem. The sources do not say whether children react differently.1
Who should ask a doctor?
- A parent considering ginseng for a child or teen should ask the pediatrician first.
- A young person with diabetes, a bleeding problem or an autoimmune condition should ask before using it, because NCCIH lists these among its cautions.1
- A teen who drinks energy drinks regularly should ask a doctor about how much caffeine the drinks add, because the position stand's caution is about the drinks as a whole.4
Questions people ask
Is Korean red ginseng safe for kids?
One randomized trial gave a Korean red ginseng extract to 70 children aged 6 to 15 for 8 weeks and reported no serious adverse events. NCCIH still says some experts recommend against ginseng for children. Ask your pediatrician.1,2
Is red ginseng OK for kids?
NCCIH does not separate red ginseng from other Asian ginseng, and its caution about children applies to it. Ask your pediatrician before giving it.1
Is Korean ginseng safe for kids?
NCCIH says some experts recommend against Asian ginseng for infants and children, and two small trials reported no serious adverse events. Ask your pediatrician.1,2,3
Is ginseng in energy drinks safe for teens?
A position stand says limited evidence exists on the safety of energy drinks for adolescents, who should use caution, and says they are not recommended for children aged 2 to 12.4
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Sources
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Asian Ginseng. Last updated February 2025. Opened 2026-10-07.
- Ko HJ, Kim I, Kim JB, et al. Effects of Korean red ginseng extract on behavior in children with symptoms of inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity: a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial. J Child Adolesc Psychopharmacol. 2014;24(9):501-508. Opened 2026-10-11.
- Vohra S, Johnston BC, Laycock KL, et al. Safety and tolerability of North American ginseng extract in the treatment of pediatric upper respiratory tract infection: a phase II randomized, controlled trial of 2 dosing schedules. Pediatrics. 2008;122(2):e402-e410. Opened 2026-10-11.
- Jagim AR, Harty PS, Tinsley GM, et al. International Society of Sports Nutrition position stand: energy drinks and energy shots. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2023;20(1):2171314. Opened 2026-10-11.
- LiverTox: Clinical and Research Information on Drug-Induced Liver Injury. Ginseng. Bethesda (MD): National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Last updated March 14, 2018. Opened 2026-10-07.
This page is information, not medical advice. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about your own situation.