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Is Panax ginseng safe during pregnancy?

Written by the Full Measure editorial team, which sells supplements. Approved for publication by the Full Measure owners. Updated .

Drafted with AI assistance from the sources listed below. How we write these

Quick answer

NCCIH says some studies suggest Asian ginseng may be unsafe by mouth in pregnancy, because one of its chemicals caused birth defects in animals. A systematic review found one cohort study with no adverse effects in pregnancy and advised caution, especially in the first trimester. Ask your doctor before using any ginseng product.1,2

Key facts

  • NCCIH says some studies suggest Asian ginseng may be unsafe when taken by mouth during pregnancy, and that one of its chemicals has been found to cause birth defects in animals.1
  • A systematic review found one cohort study in which Panax ginseng was not linked to adverse effects in pregnancy, and advised caution, especially in the first trimester.2
  • In that review, harm to animal embryos came only from isolated ginsenosides at levels far above what people normally take in.2
  • The review also found evidence on estrogen-like activity to be conflicting, and traced one reported masculinizing effect to an adulterant, not ginseng.2
  • None of the sources we read measured ginseng eaten in soup or drunk as tea.1,2

What does NCCIH say about Asian ginseng in pregnancy?

NCCIH singles out pregnancy as a time for caution. It says some studies suggest Asian ginseng may be unsafe when taken by mouth during pregnancy, because one of the chemicals in it has been found to cause birth defects in animals. It tells anyone who is thinking about using it while pregnant to consult a health care provider, and it adds that some experts recommend against its use by women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.1

What did the systematic review of pregnancy and lactation find?

The main review of the question is a 2008 systematic review that searched seven databases for what is known about Panax ginseng in pregnancy and lactation. It found one cohort study in which Panax ginseng was not associated with adverse effects when used during pregnancy, and the review graded that evidence as strong.2

Two details in the review change how the headline reads. The birth defects seen in animal embryos came from isolated ginsenosides, the active compounds, at levels far above those reachable by normal consumption. And a report in the literature blaming ginseng for masculinizing effects turned out, according to the review, to be caused by an adulterant in the product.2

The review's own conclusion was still a caution: Panax ginseng should be consumed with care during pregnancy, especially in the first trimester. That caution sits beside the favorable cohort study. The cohort result is one study, and the laboratory and hormone questions are unsettled.2

Why does the estrogen-like question come up?

The review found conflicting evidence on whether Panax ginseng has estrogen-like properties, and the doubt is part of why caution is advised. The human hormone data we read come from women after menopause, not from pregnancy, and they found no change in estrogen levels.2

In trials in women after menopause, ginseng did not change estradiol, FSH or the thickness of the womb lining.3,4,5

Those trials do not show what happens in a pregnancy, so they leave the question open.4

What about ginseng soup, tea, red ginseng or energy drinks?

The sources above are mainly about ginseng root and its extracts taken as supplements. None of them says how much ginseng a bowl of soup or a cup of tea delivers, or whether the caution carries over. Korean red ginseng is a Panax ginseng product, according to the title of one randomized trial, so the same caution from NCCIH is the nearest guide.1,6

Ginseng also appears in energy drinks. A position stand of the International Society of Sports Nutrition lists it among their common ingredients and says energy drinks are not recommended for people who are pregnant or trying to become pregnant. The advice covers the drinks as a whole, caffeine included, so it cannot be traced to ginseng.7

Who should ask a doctor about ginseng in pregnancy?

Ask your doctor or midwife before using any ginseng product if you are pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or unsure whether you might be. If you took some before you knew, bring that up too, since the sources cannot say what it means for one pregnancy.

  • Bring the product label, including the extract type and any other herbs or caffeine in it.
  • Mention any blood thinner, such as warfarin, because its label lists ginseng among botanicals that may change its effect.8
  • Mention diabetes or low blood sugar, because NCCIH says Asian ginseng might lower blood sugar.1

Questions people ask

Is red ginseng safe during pregnancy?

Korean red ginseng is a Panax ginseng product, according to the title of one trial, and NCCIH's caution covers Asian ginseng in general. Ask your doctor before using it.1,6

Is Korean ginseng chicken soup safe for pregnancy?

None of the sources we read measured ginseng in soup, so they cannot say whether the caution applies. Ask your doctor or midwife about it.1,2

Is Panax ginseng root extract safe during pregnancy?

NCCIH says some studies suggest Asian ginseng may be unsafe by mouth in pregnancy, and a systematic review advised caution, especially in the first trimester. Ask your doctor.1,2

Is Korean red ginseng safe for pregnancy?

A systematic review of Panax ginseng in pregnancy found one cohort study with no adverse effects and advised caution. NCCIH also advises asking a health care provider. Ask your doctor before using it.1,2

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Sources

  1. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Asian Ginseng. Last updated February 2025. Opened 2026-10-07.
  2. Seely D, Dugoua JJ, Perri D, Mills E, Koren G. Safety and efficacy of Panax ginseng during pregnancy and lactation (a systematic review). Can J Clin Pharmacol. 2008;15(1):e87-e94. Opened 2026-10-11.
  3. Wiklund IK, Mattsson LA, Lindgren R, Limoni C. Effects of a standardized ginseng extract on quality of life and physiological parameters in symptomatic postmenopausal women: a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Int J Clin Pharmacol Res. 1999;19(3):89-99. Opened 2026-10-07.
  4. Lee HW, Ang L, Lee MS. Using ginseng for menopausal women's health care: A systematic review of randomized placebo-controlled trials. Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2022;48:101615. Opened 2026-10-07.
  5. Kim SY, Seo SK, Choi YM, et al. Effects of red ginseng supplementation on menopausal symptoms and cardiovascular risk factors in postmenopausal women: a double-blind randomized controlled trial. Menopause. 2012;19(4):461-466. Opened 2026-10-07.
  6. Sung WS, Kang HR, Jung CY, et al. Efficacy of Korean red ginseng (Panax ginseng) for middle-aged and moderate level of chronic fatigue patients: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Complement Ther Med. 2020;48:102246. Opened 2026-10-11.
  7. 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.
  8. Warfarin sodium tablets: prescribing information (A-S Medication Solutions). DailyMed, U.S. National Library of Medicine. Published September 23, 2026. Opened 2026-10-07.

This page is information, not medical advice. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about your own situation.