Ginseng induced fetal skeletal malformations

The use of alternative therapies including Herbal medicines is rapidly escalating in both the developed and the developing countries. It is generally believed that "natural" herbal medicines are better and safer than conventional medicine; herbal medicines are in fact associated with serious toxic effects. The current study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Panax Ginseng; it was found that maternal treatment with Panax Ginseng negatively affected the development of skeletal system. Findings in our study suggest that further investigations and monitoring of embryotoxic effects of ginsenosides on human pregnancy are warranted