Herb shows potential to reduce cancer-related fatigue

[Celebration]

http://www.physorg.com/news100089123.html

North Central Cancer Treatment Group researchers, based at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., have generated preliminary data suggesting that a form of American ginseng provides greater improvements in fatigue and vitality in patients who receive the highest doses tested, compared to lower doses or no treatment.

The results of their scientifically rigorous pilot study, the first to evaluate the Wisconsin species of American ginseng as a possible therapy for cancer-related fatigue, are being presented June 3 at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology.


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Traditional Chinese medicine and current understanding of ginseng’s function both point to its characteristics as an adaptogen -- a substance that helps the body overcome the effects of environmental stress. Since cancer patients have stressors ranging from the psychological stress of diagnosis to the physiological stresses of chemotherapy and radiation, if ginseng helps, the researchers think it would be a valuable addition to currently available therapies.

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Of the four treatment arms, patients receiving the placebo and the lowest dose of ginseng reported very little improvement in fatigue or other areas of physical or psychological well-being. The patients receiving the larger doses showed improvements in overall energy levels, reporting higher vitality levels and less interference with activity from fatigue. They also reported an improvement in overall mental, physical, spiritual and emotional well-being.

[Orrex]

1. Herb is so cool

[Tuesday Afternoon]

2. Spices rock, too

[Orrex]

4. LOL! Excellent reply!

:rofl:
:applause:

[flvegan]

3. Ginseng is a Godsend. Love to see the same study with ma huang.

Probably have patients doing cartwheels.

[shireen]

5. what's a good source for ginseng?

I've heard that American ginseng, which is collected in the wild, is the best stuff. Any advice?

[flvegan]

7. Any reputable supplement company

selling a standardized ginseng supplement would be a good thing to check out. "Standardized" being the key word.

[TZ]

6. Good

Having some experience with chemo related fatigue, its nice to know that there are some ways to fight it, as long as people understand that ginsengs role is as a SUPPLEMENT not as a cancer treatment per se.

[BuddhaGirl]

8. interesting!

it's great to see that there is a natural alternative for the cancer patients.

I know when I take Siberian eleuthero, it really helps to balance my energy. I sleep better at night, too.