The ginseng pimple: An inflammatory papule following ginseng consumption

Abstract

Ginseng is a popular herbal remedy derived from the plant roots of the Panax genus and has been used in traditional Asian medicine for thousands of years. In the United States, it has become increasingly popular and is taken for many conditions, including as an immune enhancer. Cutaneous adverse effects have been reported to occur following ginseng consumption, although detailed clinical descriptions are limited. A 60-year-old woman who repeatedly developed inflammatory papules following ginseng consumption is described and the characteristics of ginseng use in healthcare are reviewed.