NỘI DUNG

Besides the health benefits it provides, ginseng also has some potential risks if users do not use it correctly, especially for those with digestive issues. Folklore says that those who have stomach pain and drink ginseng may lead to sudden “unexpected death”. So, is this true?

Effects of ginseng on the digestive system

When mentioning Korean ginseng, people often think of its effects on the digestive system. Accordingly, both fresh ginseng and dried ginseng have the effect of stimulating and strengthening the digestive system’s function. This helps the process of digesting food as well as the ability to absorb nutrients improve significantly, especially for those who often have indigestion.
In addition, Korean fresh ginseng contains compounds with anti-inflammatory properties, notably saponin and polysaccharide, helping users reduce abdominal pain caused by inflammation. At the same time, ginseng also has the effect of strengthening the immune system, helping the body fight infections and inflammatory agents, thereby reducing negative impacts on the digestive system.

Does drinking ginseng with stomach pain lead to “sudden death”?

In traditional medicine, ginseng is considered to have a warming nature – meaning it has the ability to both strengthen and balance energy in the body, helping to support health and balance internal factors. However, if you are having stomach pain due to cold constitution (a lack of body heat), using ginseng is completely unsuitable and does not bring benefits.
If a person with stomach pain drinks ginseng, this medicinal product can increase the warming nature and exacerbate the heat condition in the body, posing dangers to health and risking damage to life.
In reality, many people today still use ginseng to treat stomach pain related to irritable bowel syndrome, gastritis, hepatitis, constipation. People with stomach pain due to these symptoms still have good health and are completely suitable to drink ginseng. But we advise you not to self-treat if you have not been examined by traditional medicine doctors.
Thus, to answer the question “Is stomach pain drinking ginseng dangerous?”, you need to consider the cause of the stomach pain. If the stomach pain is caused by digestive symptoms, using ginseng is completely normal. However, if the stomach pain is due to “cold constitution”, drinking ginseng can be life-threatening, even leading to death.
>>> See more: How to use Korean fresh ginseng safely and effectively in 2025

Is stomach pain drinking ginseng dangerous? — Stomach pain drinking ginseng can be dangerous if not used correctly

People who should not use ginseng

Besides people with stomach pain due to cold constitution, there are some groups who should be cautious or even avoid drinking ginseng, including:

People with high blood pressure: If drinking low-dose ginseng, you may experience increased blood pressure. Conversely, if using high doses, blood pressure may drop. Therefore, when needing to use ginseng, you should consult a doctor’s opinion.
People with colds: Although it has health-nourishing effects, ginseng is a qi-tonifying medicinal product that can cause pathogenic qi to stagnate in the body and not escape, leading to prolonged illness. Therefore, if you have a cold, you should stop using ginseng until the illness is completely cured.
People with liver and gallbladder issues: People with acute infectious hepatitis, gallstones, rib pain, jaundice, fever, acute cholecystitis,… are all in a state of low heat in the liver and gallbladder. Drinking ginseng when having these diseases will cause qi to be unable to escape but stagnate inside the body, making the condition more severe.
People with gastric ulcers: Ginseng has qi-tonifying properties, making it difficult to reduce gastric ulcer symptoms.
People with bronchiectasis, tuberculosis: People with this disease often cough up blood, bleed, have mild fever leading to lung yin deficiency. If using ginseng, it can further damage lung yin, making the vomiting of blood more severe.
People with autoimmune diseases: Using ginseng when suffering from autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis all make the disease worse.
Pregnant and breastfeeding women: Ginseng contains strong active compounds like ginsenosides that can affect hormones and blood clotting processes, causing early uterine contractions. Additionally, if breastfeeding mothers use single-ingredient ginseng in large portions, this substance can easily affect and change milk taste, making babies picky about breastfeeding. However, pregnant and postpartum women can completely nourish with fresh ginseng stewed or cooked 2-3 times a week, as ginseng nourishes blood and benefits qi and blood, helping nourish the mother, but when stewing, adjust ginseng amount moderately, and add ginger to increase the warming nature of the dish for better nourishment.

Stomach pain drinking ginseng: How to avoid consequences?

Before drinking ginseng, you should see a doctor to determine the cause of the stomach pain. If the stomach pain is due to cold constitution, you absolutely should not drink ginseng to avoid unfortunate consequences.
Additionally, before using ginseng, you should also learn about ginseng types, components, benefits, usage methods, as well as market preparations. This will help you make smart decisions and ensure safety when using.
Choose reputable suppliers of ginseng and ginseng preparations on the market. When buying fresh ginseng, you should also check information about origin, cultivation method, processing, and product testing to ensure it is genuine ginseng, effective for health nourishment and energy enhancement.
Additionally, you can use red ginseng – a processed form of ginseng. According to many studies, red ginseng contains saponin content 5 times higher than fresh ginseng, thereby bringing many health benefits. In particular, this processed form is suitable for most groups such as people with diabetes, liver disease, colds, pregnant and breastfeeding women (requires doctor’s prescription because pregnant women’s constitution is extremely sensitive, ask for advice from the doctor monitoring the pregnancy)… and other autoimmune diseases.
>>> See more:

However, similar to ginseng, red ginseng is not completely suitable for those with stomach pain, diarrhea, colitis/gastric ulcers. Therefore, you need to carefully read the manufacturer’s usage instructions before using red ginseng. Additionally, you can ask sales staff at reputable Korean ginseng stores like Nhân sâm Việt Hàn – Siêu thị Sâm Soobin for detailed advice.

Some questions related to stomach pain drinking ginseng

1. What is “Phúc thống phục nhân sâm tắc tử”?

“Phúc thống phục nhân sâm tắc tử” is a folk saying in traditional medicine. In which “phúc thống phục” means using ginseng to strengthen health, restore energy from fatigue due to illness or overexertion. While “nhân sâm tắc tử” refers to using ginseng inappropriately or incorrectly, which can lead to death.
Thus, “phúc thống phục nhân sâm tắc tử” implies drinking ginseng to restore health but incorrectly can be life-threatening.

2. Why does stomach pain drinking ginseng lead to death?

Ginseng is a medicinal product with qi-tonifying, blood-activating properties and can cause strong stimulation. When having stomach pain due to acute conditions such as appendicitis, gastrointestinal bleeding, intestinal obstruction, using ginseng can increase blood circulation causing vessel dilation, or increase contractions, making inflammation, bleeding, or damage rapidly more severe. Therefore, absolutely avoid using ginseng when having acute stomach pain with unknown cause.
Thus, the article above has helped you know whether stomach pain drinking ginseng is dangerous. In reality, whether using ginseng, red ginseng, or any medicinal products, you need to consult a doctor or carefully read the manufacturer’s instructions to ensure health safety and achieve the best effectiveness.