Ginseng Used as a Complementary Treatment Reduces Cancer-Related Fatigue

According to the results of a study published in the journal of the National Cancer Institute, complementary treatment with ginseng administered to cancer patients reduced fatigue, making a notable difference over a period of two months.

Fatigue is one of the most common side effects of cancer and its treatment. Many factors, such as anemia, inadequate nutrition, insufficient rest, infection, and stress, can contribute to fatigue, which involves general tiredness or an intense lack of energy. However, cancer-related fatigue means more than tiredness. This intense fatigue cannot be relieved by sleeping or resting and also weakens the patient. This condition may continue for months or even years after cancer treatment. Research conducted to reduce the effects of excessive fatigue on cancer patients may help enable some solutions to be found.

According to the results of a study published in the journal of the National Cancer Institute of England, complementary treatment with ginseng administered to cancer patients reduced fatigue, making a notable difference over a period of two months.

Ginseng, whose homeland is South Korea, is also cultivated in America, China, Russia, Siberia, and India. Providing countless benefits to the human body, ginseng is effective against stress and increases physical activity and bodily resistance. In addition, its properties that support the immune system, stimulate programmed cell death, inhibit cell proliferation, and provide antioxidant effects have also demonstrated that it is effective against cancer.

The intense effects of cancer-related fatigue can reduce quality of life and cause difficulties for the patient in daily life. Researchers continuing to seek solutions for coping with such side effects in cancer treatment conducted a study involving 364 cancer patients experiencing cancer-related fatigue to evaluate the benefits of the plant known as ginseng. Some of the participating patients who were undergoing active cancer treatment or had completed cancer treatment were given 8 of ginseng for 2,000mg, while the other patients were not given ginseng. Throughout the study, their fatigue was monitored, and their condition was followed at four-week and eight-week intervals. At the end of eight weeks, a reduction in fatigue was observed in the patients who received ginseng. In particular, ginseng was found to benefit patients receiving active cancer treatment and to be quite beneficial in patients who had completed cancer treatment.

According to the data obtained from the study, American ginseng given at 2,000mg per day reduces cancer-related fatigue. However, research examining the details of the role played by ginseng in cancer-related fatigue is still ongoing.

It should be considered that plants used in complementary treatments, such as ginseng, may have aspects requiring caution in addition to their benefits, and any treatment administered to cancer patients must be under a doctor’s supervision. Whether complementary treatments are suitable for the cancer treatment and appropriate for the patient are matters that must be evaluated and decided by a doctor.

Dear readers, any medication taken on the basis of hearsay or friends’ advice to get rid of the side effects of cancer treatment, and/or any herbal product said to contain natural ingredients and have therapeutic properties, may cause a cancer patient to experience serious health problems. Therefore, in order to relieve the difficulties you experience as a result of worsening side effects, you should consult the doctor treating you and seek their opinion first. Your doctor will assess your condition and recommend the complementary treatment that is suitable for you.

Trust your doctor for effective treatment..