Evidence supporting the use of: Ginseng, American
For the health condition: Nervous Exhaustion
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
American Ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) has a long history of use in traditional herbal medicine, particularly among Native American tribes and later in Western herbalism, for conditions associated with "nervous exhaustion"—a term historically used to describe symptoms like fatigue, weakness, and mental burnout. Traditionally, American Ginseng has been valued as a general tonic and adaptogen, believed to help the body cope with stress and restore vitality. Documentation from 19th and early 20th-century herbal texts often lists American Ginseng as a remedy for nervous conditions, debility, and overwork, though these uses were based on empirical observation rather than controlled studies.
Modern scientific research on American Ginseng has focused primarily on its potential to improve cognition, reduce fatigue, and enhance general well-being, but studies are limited and results are mixed. There is some evidence that it may reduce fatigue in cancer patients and improve certain cognitive parameters, but direct clinical research specifically targeting "nervous exhaustion" as a defined syndrome is lacking. As such, while there is a strong tradition of use for this purpose, scientific validation remains limited, and the evidence quality is low to moderate (rated 2/5). Most contemporary discussions of American Ginseng's benefits for nervous exhaustion still reference its traditional use rather than robust clinical data.
Other ingredients used for Nervous Exhaustion
amino acidsashwagandha
astragalus
waterhyssop
caterpillar mushroom
Chinese salvia root
cordyceps
eleuthero
GABA (gamma aminobutyric acid)
gotu kola
l-tryptophan
l-tyrosine
licorice root
lion's mane
liquid liver fractions
maca
magnesium
motherwort
spruce
pollen
reishi mushroom
rhodiola
thiamin (vitamin B1)
vitamin B12
vitamin B6
vitamin D
zinc
jiaogulan
catnip
bee pollen
blessed thistle
sunflower
amber
royal jelly
wheat germ
Aralia
Ambergris
Albizia
Anemone
Astragaloside
Animal protein
Betony
Blue Flag
Beef liver
Bone Marrow
Brahmi
Ba Ji Tian
Black Hellebore
Codonopsis
Cynomorium
Convolvulus prostratus
Convolvulus Pluricaulis
Deer Root
Deer Velvet
Egg
Elk antler
Spikenard
Wheat
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)