Ginseng: energy tonic for cancer patients?

Better Nutrition, Oct, 2007

ABOUT 90 PERCENT of cancer patients suffer from fatigue, and ginseng may be just what the doctor ordered to help fend off low energy. Research presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology's annual meeting reveals that American ginseng might safely increase energy levels and physical well-being.

The small study followed 282 people who took either ginseng or a placebo daily for eight weeks. People who took 1,000 mg of the herb reported an increase of more than 14 points in energy and 12 points in well-being, on an energy rating scale of 1-100. There no side effects reported among those taking ginseng.