Evidence supporting the use of: Ginseng, Panax
For the health condition: Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2
Panax ginseng has been investigated as an adjunct in cancer treatment, primarily for its potential to reduce cancer-related fatigue, improve quality of life, and mitigate some side effects of chemotherapy. Several randomized controlled trials and systematic reviews suggest that ginseng, particularly Panax ginseng and American ginseng, may modestly alleviate cancer-related fatigue—a common and debilitating side effect of cancer and its treatments. For example, a 2013 randomized clinical trial published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute found that high-dose American ginseng improved fatigue in cancer patients over eight weeks compared to placebo.
Ginsenosides, the primary active compounds in Panax ginseng, are thought to exert anti-inflammatory and adaptogenic effects, which may contribute to their benefits in this context. However, evidence for other cancer treatment side effects, such as nausea, neuropathy, or immune suppression, is limited and inconclusive. Most clinical studies have focused on fatigue, and while some results are promising, the magnitude of benefit is generally modest, and methodological quality varies.
Professional organizations such as the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) recognize that ginseng may be helpful for fatigue but do not broadly endorse it for other cancer treatment side effects. Importantly, ginseng may interact with some cancer therapies and medications, so patients should consult their healthcare providers before use. Overall, the evidence is preliminary and supports only a cautious, adjunctive role for Panax ginseng in reducing certain cancer treatment side effects, particularly fatigue.
More about Ginseng, Panax
More about Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Other ingredients used for Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
acetyl l-carnitineakkermansia muciniphila
algal oil
aloe vera
alpha-ketoglutarate (AKG)
amino acids
ashwagandha
astaxanthin
astragalus
bacillus coagulans
bacillus subtilis
basil
beet
berberine
berry flavor
beta caryophyllene
Beta-Glucan
bifidobacterium bifidum
bifidobacterium breve
bifidobacterium lactis
bifidobacterium longum
black cumin
sesame
blackberry
blueberry
Indian frankincense
branched-chain amino acids
broccoli
bromelain
bupleurum falcatum
burdock
butyrate triglyceride
cannabis sativa oil
capsaicinoids
cat's claw
catalase
caterpillar mushroom
chaga mushroom
chamomile
Chinese salvia root
chlorella
chlorophyll
chokeberry
citrus oil
citrus pectin
coating
coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
colostrum
cordyceps
turmeric
curcumin
cuspidatum root
cyclodextrin
d-alpha tocopherol
d-glucarate
DHA (docosahexaeonic acid)
diallyl disulfide (DADS)
diallyl trisulfide (DATS)
DIM (diindolylmethane)
dong quai root
DPA (docosapentaenoic acid)
eleuthero
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
fiber blend (proprietary)
fisetin
fish oil
flavonols
flaxseed
folate
garlic bulb
genistein
ginger
ginseng
green tea
hemp oil
hesperetin
hesperidin
HMR lignan
Indian tinospora
indole-3-carbinol
iron
knotweed
jujube
kale
l-carnitine
l-cysteine
l-glutamine
l-glutathione
lactobacillus acidophilus
lactobacillus brevis
lactobacillus casei
lactobacillus fermentum
lactobacillus gasseri
lactiplantibacillus plantarum
lactobacillus reuteri
lactobacillus salivarius
lactoferrin
lentinula edodes mycelia
lion's mane
lycopene
magnesium
maitake mushroom
mangosteen
marine lipid
medium chain triglycerides (MCT)
melatonin
milk
milk thistle
mixed carotenoids
moringa
n-acetyl-cysteine (NAC)
nettle
niacinamide (vitamin B3)
oleanolic acid
omega-3 fatty acids
ornithine alpha-ketoglutarate
oyster mushroom
pectin
perilla
phenolic acids
phospholipids
phytocannabinoids
phytosterols
plum fruit
pollen
pomegranate
prebiotic blend (proprietary)
protease
protein
pumpkin
raspberry
reishi mushroom
resveratrol
rhizome
rosemary
rutin
scrophularia root
selenium
shiitake mushroom
specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs)
sphaeranthus indicus
spirulina
sulforaphane glucosinolate
tocotrienols
tributyrin
triphala
turkey tail mushroom
ubiquinol
Urolithin A
vegetable and fruit blend (proprietary)
vitamin A
vitamin B
vitamin B12
vitamin C
vitamin D
vitamin D3
vitamin E
seaweed
water
wheat grass
whey protein
zinc
sarsaparilla
yellow root
suma
jiaogulan
typhonium
atractylodes
papaya
neem tree
smilax
tinospora cordifolia
rubia cordifolia
peony
lingzhi
lingusticum wallichii
boxthorne
buckthorn
pau d'arco
lemongrass
myrrh
ferulic acid
chrysanthemum
siler root
cistanche
dioscorea
dodder
ganoderma
morinda
trichosanthes
royal jelly
polyphenols
purslane
coix
polyporus
aster root
noni
biota seed
nopal
goji berry
paw paw
herbal blend (proprietary)
algae
cocoa
AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)
enzymes blend (proprietary)
soy isoflavones
ashitaba
soursop
3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)prop-2-enoic acid
4-Hydroxyandrostenedione
5-methyltetrahydrofolate glucosamine
Agarikon Mushroom
Alpha Glucans
Angelica
Apigenin
Antrodia camphorata
Auricularia
Anamu
Artesunate
AHCC
Andrographolide
Alpha-Lipoic Acid
Astragaloside
anthocyanidins
Andrographis
Ampelopsin
Acemannan
Algal protein
Arabinoxylan
Arisaema
Alantolactone
Anti-aromatase
Artepillin C
Atractylone
Bee Propolis
Black Seed
Bifidobacterium
Baikal Skullcap
Bifidobacterium adolescentis
Baphicacanthus cusia
Bidens pilosa
Betulinic acid
Brassica
Boswellic Acid
Beef liver
Baccosides
Baicalein
Beta-lapachone
Bee hive
Bael
Basidiomycota
berry
Boswellia
Butein
Bifidobacterium animalis
Bee products
Black Nightshade
Bacteria
Bifidobacteria
BCAA
Baicalin
Boerhavia diffusa
Borneol
Caffeic Acid
Camellia sinensis
Caryophyllene
Calendula
Chinese Mountain Ant
Condurango
Chlorophyllin
Coriolus mushroom
Capillary Artemisia
Chinese Fleeceflower
Curcuminoid
Citrus
Chinese Pond Turtle
Cancerina
Curcumen
Centella asiatica
Curcuma
Carnosol
C-Phycocyanin
Chirata
Crinum latifolium
Cannabidiol
Clostridium butyricum
Corilagin
Crocetin
Cytokines
Costus
Celosia
Carnosic acid
Cannabigerol
Docosahexaenoic Acid
Diallyl sulfide
DNA
Decursin
Daidzein
Diosgenin
Didymin
Date
Dithiolthiones
Diosmetin
Eupolyphaga sinensis
Eclipta
Eicosapentaenoic Acid
Essential Oil Blend
Enokitake
Folic Acid
Fiber
Flavonoids
Flavonones
Flammulina velutipes
fibroblast growth factor
Garlic
Isoflavones
Mallow
Milk Protein
Mistletoe
Periwinkle
Soy Protein
Zucchini
Other health conditions supported by Ginseng, Panax
Addictions (general remedies for)Adrenal Fatigue
Aging (prevention)
Alcoholism
Alzheimer's Disease
Anemia
Anxiety
Anxiety Disorders
Appetite (deficient)
Arthritis
Athletic and Exercise Aids
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer (prevention)
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Cardiovascular Disease
Cholesterol (high)
Circulation (poor)
Colds (general)
Colds (prevention)
Concentration (poor)
Convalescence
Debility
Dementia
Depression
Diabetes
Digestion (poor)
Dizziness
Energy (lack of)
Fatigue
Free Radical Damage
Hair (loss or thinning)
Heart (weakness)
Hypertension
Inflammation
Insomnia
Memory and Brain Function
Menopause
Metabolic Syndrome
Mood Swings
Muscle Tone (lack of)
Nervous Exhaustion
Nervousness
Osteoporosis
Pain (general remedies for)
Parkinson's Disease
Sex Drive (low)
Stress
Weight Loss