Elderly patients with diseases such as cholecystitis should not take ginseng for supplementation.
Although ginseng is a great tonic, it is not suitable for everyone. Modern research has proven that the following elderly individuals should not take ginseng.
Patients with insomnia: Ginseng has a stimulating effect on the central nervous system. The cerebral cortex of insomnia patients has an imbalance between excitation and inhibition. Taking ginseng without medical advice can only worsen insomnia symptoms.
Patients with cholecystitis and gallstones: Ginseng has an estrogen-like effect that can inhibit the excretion of bile through the biliary tract, making the bile thicker. Surveys have shown that the incidence of gallstones is significantly higher in long-term ginseng users.
Healthy individuals: For healthy people, a strong body should be built through diet and physical exercise. Taking excessive ginseng will not only be of no benefit to health but may also lead to illness.
Individuals with a dark purple tongue: In Traditional Chinese Medicine, a dark purple tongue is a sign of blood stasis. Taking ginseng can worsen this stagnation, leading to symptoms such as pain, restlessness, and feverishness in the hands and feet.
Individuals with a thick yellow tongue coating: A normal tongue coating is thin, white, and moist. A thick yellow coating indicates indigestion and inflammation. Taking ginseng at this time can cause symptoms such as loss of appetite, abdominal bloating, and constipation.
Individuals with a flushed complexion: Clinically, it has been observed that people with a flushed complexion are often emotionally excitable and have high blood pressure. Taking ginseng can further lead to increased blood pressure, dizziness, insomnia, and dreams.
Individuals with a large protruding abdomen: After taking ginseng, these individuals often experience a voracious appetite, a sharp increase in weight, and adverse sensations such as sluggishness and a heavy head with light feet.
Individuals with a fever: Those with a fever should first identify the cause. Blindly tonifying the body because of weakness caused by the illness is not advisable. For patients with fever from colds or inflammation, taking ginseng is like adding frost to snow and will worsen the condition.
Individuals with chest tightness and abdominal bloating: After taking ginseng, these patients often experience symptoms of a blocked chest and a bloated abdomen.
Individuals with sores, abscesses, and toxic swellings: Such patients must have internal heat and toxins. Taking ginseng can lead to severe consequences such as a severe outbreak of sores and toxins that are slow to heal.