Evidence supporting the use of: Ginseng, American
For the health condition: Adrenal Fatigue
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 1
American Ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) has been traditionally used in North American herbal medicine by Indigenous peoples and later by herbalists for its reputed ability to increase energy, reduce fatigue, and support general vitality. The concept of “adrenal fatigue” is a modern, non-medically recognized diagnosis that describes a cluster of nonspecific symptoms (such as tiredness and stress) believed to result from chronic stress overworking the adrenal glands. While American ginseng has a longstanding history of use as an adaptogen—a term used in herbalism to denote herbs thought to help the body resist various stressors—there is currently no direct scientific evidence specifically validating its use for “adrenal fatigue.”
Some laboratory and small clinical studies have investigated American ginseng’s effects on fatigue and stress, primarily in the context of cancer-related fatigue or general vitality, rather than adrenal function. While these studies occasionally suggest modest benefits in reducing feelings of tiredness, they do not address or support the concept of “adrenal fatigue” as a clinical condition. Thus, American ginseng’s use for “adrenal fatigue” is justified mainly by tradition and anecdotal reports, rather than robust scientific evidence. The overall quality and quantity of evidence specifically for this indication are low, and major medical organizations do not endorse this use.
Other health conditions supported by Ginseng, American
Adrenal FatigueAging (prevention)
Athletic and Exercise Aids
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer (prevention)
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Colds (general)
Colds (prevention)
Concentration (poor)
Convalescence
Debility
Diabetes
Digestion (poor)
Energy (lack of)
Fatigue
Free Radical Damage
Inflammation
Memory and Brain Function
Menopause
Nervous Exhaustion
Nervousness
Stress
Thinking (cloudy)