The steamed root of an East Asian plant. Its most repeatable effects show up in blood tests, not in how people feel: lower fasting blood sugar, better insulin sensitivity, lower inflammation markers where inflammation is already raised. Effects on tiredness, erectile function, and memory are small. Sleep disruption, digestive upset, drug interactions, and variable product potency are the concerns. (Full Review)
| Marker | Target | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Fasting Glucose | 75–85 mg/dL | Primary efficacy target; largest and most replicated effect |
| Hemoglobin A1c | 4.8–5.3% | Confirms that any glucose change is sustained, not transient |
| Fasting Insulin | 2–5 μIU/mL | Detects insulin sensitivity gains that glucose alone misses |
| High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein | Below 0.8 mg/L | Anti-inflammatory benefit occurs almost only above 3 mg/L |
| Seated Blood Pressure | 110–120 / 70–78 mmHg | Captures both the small expected fall and the high-dose elevation signal |
| Alanine Aminotransferase | 10–26 U/L (women), 10–30 U/L (men) | Screens for liver injury, which pooled data do not support but which cannot be assumed |
| Total Bilirubin | 0.3–1.0 mg/dL | The one liver marker that did shift, specifically at ≥3 g/day |
| International Normalized Ratio | No universal target — track against the individual's own pre-ginseng value and prescribed range | Detects the disputed warfarin interaction before bleeding or clotting occurs |
Cadence: Baseline panel before starting. Blood pressure weekly for the first 2 weeks; clotting time at 2 and 4 weeks in warfarin users and again after stopping. Full metabolic and inflammatory panel at 12 weeks, then every 6–12 months on continued use.