American Ginseng for Cancer Fatigue: Does It Help?
Quick Summary: A new guideline from cancer experts suggests American ginseng might help reduce fatigue in people undergoing cancer treatment. The study looked at many research papers and found that it could be a helpful addition to other treatments like exercise and therapy.
American Ginseng and Cancer Fatigue: What the Research Says
This research review, put together by leading cancer organizations, looked at many studies to find the best ways to help cancer survivors with fatigue. They found that American ginseng showed promise in reducing fatigue during cancer treatment. This is great news because fatigue is a very common and difficult side effect of cancer and its treatments.
Study Details
- Who was studied: Adults with cancer.
- How long: The research looked at studies done between 2013 and 2023. The length of the individual studies varied.
- What they took: The research didn't specify the exact dosage of American ginseng used in the studies.
What This Means For You
If you're going through cancer treatment and struggling with fatigue, talk to your doctor about American ginseng. It might be a helpful part of your treatment plan, along with other things like:
- Exercise
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) - a type of talk therapy
- Mindfulness practices (like meditation)
- Tai chi or Qigong
Important: Always talk to your doctor before starting any new supplement, including American ginseng. They can help you figure out the right dose and make sure it's safe for you.
Study Limitations
The researchers looked at a lot of studies, but they also pointed out some things to keep in mind:
- The research on American ginseng is still ongoing. More studies are needed to confirm the findings.
- The exact dose of American ginseng used in the studies wasn't always clear.
- The overall quality of the evidence for American ginseng was rated as low to moderate.
Technical Analysis Details
Key Findings
The study identified American ginseng as a potential intervention for reducing cancer-related fatigue (CRF) in adults undergoing active cancer treatment. It emphasized that exercise, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness-based programs, tai chi, and qigong were effective during treatment, while yoga, acupressure, and moxibustion showed benefits post-treatment. Other dietary supplements, including L-carnitine and psychostimulants, were not recommended due to insufficient efficacy. The guideline update highlights low-to-moderate certainty in evidence for integrative interventions, urging clinicians to prioritize therapies with stronger safety profiles.
Study Design
This was a systematic review and guideline update by the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and the Society for Integrative Oncology, analyzing RCTs published between 2013 and 2023. The panel included experts across oncology, psychology, integrative medicine, and nursing. While the full methodology details (e.g., sample size, duration) for individual trials were not provided in the summary, the evidence base comprised 113 RCTs evaluating diverse interventions for CRF in adult cancer survivors.
Dosage & Administration
The provided summary did not specify the dosage, formulation, or administration protocols for American ginseng used in the reviewed trials. Further details would require access to the original RCTs cited in the guideline.
Results & Efficacy
The analysis found that American ginseng demonstrated benefits for managing CRF during active cancer treatment, though the summary lacked quantitative effect sizes, p-values, or confidence intervals for this specific intervention. The overall certainty of evidence for integrative approaches was rated as low to moderate, indicating cautious interpretation of efficacy.
Limitations
The guideline update noted heterogeneity in study populations, interventions, and outcome measures across the 113 RCTs, potentially affecting the strength of conclusions. Specific limitations for American ginseng include the absence of detailed dosing data and long-term safety assessments. The quality of evidence was generally low to moderate, underscoring the need for higher-powered trials to confirm findings. Additionally, the study focused on adult survivors, limiting applicability to pediatric or end-of-life populations.
Clinical Relevance
For cancer patients experiencing fatigue during treatment, clinicians may consider recommending American ginseng as part of a broader strategy that includes exercise, CBT, or mindfulness-based programs. However, the low-to-moderate certainty of evidence suggests these recommendations should be tailored to individual patient preferences and monitored closely. Supplement users should consult healthcare providers before use, as optimal dosing and long-term safety remain unclear. Clinicians are advised against routinely recommending other supplements like L-carnitine or psychostimulants due to lack of efficacy.
Note: The analysis is limited to the data provided in the study summary; full details on dosage, statistical significance, and trial durations require access to the original RCTs via the provided URL.
Original Study Reference
Management of Fatigue in Adult Survivors of Cancer: ASCO-Society for Integrative Oncology Guideline Update.
Source: PubMed
Published: 2024
📄 Read Full Study (PMID: 38754041)
