Evidence supporting the use of: Ginseng, Oriental
For the health condition: Debility
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 3
Ginseng, Oriental (Panax ginseng) has a long history of use in traditional Chinese and Korean medicine as a tonic for general debility, fatigue, and to promote vitality. The concept of "debility" in traditional medicine often refers to states of low energy, weakness, or convalescence after illness, and ginseng has been prized for its reputed adaptogenic and restorative qualities. Historical texts and materia medica from East Asia describe ginseng as a remedy to "restore vital energy" (Qi), improve stamina, and enhance resistance to stress.
Modern scientific studies have explored ginseng's effects on fatigue, physical performance, and cognitive function. Some randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses suggest that ginseng supplementation may modestly improve subjective feelings of fatigue and enhance quality of life in people experiencing chronic fatigue or debility, including cancer-related fatigue. However, results across studies are mixed, and methodological limitations (such as small sample sizes and heterogeneity in study design) often preclude definitive conclusions.
Overall, while there is considerable traditional use and some supporting clinical evidence, the strength of scientific validation for ginseng's use in treating general debility is moderate. More rigorous, large-scale trials are needed to establish its efficacy for this indication.
Other ingredients used for Debility
adrenal cortexAlfalfa
amino acids
apricot
bilberry
black currant
bovine
bovine spleen
carrot
chlorella
turmeric
elderberry
garlic bulb
ginger
grape
green tea
L-glutamine
Milk
ornithine alpha-ketoglutarate
pomegranate
protein
spirulina
vitamin C
vitamin D
Zinc
xanthium (cockleburs)
siler root
hyacinth bean
Algae
Aralia
antler
ambergris
Angelica
Acacia
Achyranthes
anamu
Aletris
Algal protein
Abalone
animal protein
bishop\'s weed
Beef Protein
beef
Beef liver
bovine protein
bael
Borassus aethiopum
Codonopsis
Cynomorium
Chlorophytum
chicken
deer root
deer velvet
elk antler
flat-stem milk-vetch
glucose
heal-all
long pepper
jungli-bean
Microcos
Phyllanthus
Pyrrosia
Pseudostellaria
Rubia yunnanensis
Sicklepod
Sesbania
Southern Tsangshu
Other health conditions supported by Ginseng, Oriental
Addictions (general remedies for)Adrenal Fatigue
Aging (prevention)
Alcoholism
Alzheimer's Disease
Anemia
Anxiety
Anxiety Disorders
Appetite (deficient)
Arthritis
Athletic and Exercise Aids
Backache
Body Building
Bronchitis
Bruises (healing)
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer (prevention)
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Cardiovascular Disease
Chemotherapy (reducing side effects)
Cholesterol (high)
Circulation (poor)
Circulation (to the brain)
Colds (general)
Concentration (poor)
Constipation (adults)
Convalescence
Debility
Depression
Diabetes
Digestion (poor)
Dizziness
Energy (lack of)
Fatigue
Fibromyalgia Syndrome
Free Radical Damage
Gastritis
Hair (loss or thinning)
Headache (general)
Heart (weakness)
Hypertension
Inflammation
Insomnia
Liver Detoxification
Memory and Brain Function
Menopause
Metabolic Syndrome
Mood Swings
Sex Drive (low)
Stress
Strokes
Wrinkles