| It's well known that lethargy and low energy | | | | content and quality at a laboratory. |
| levels affect most cancer patients sometime in | | | | This type of ginseng is sometimes marketed as |
| the course of their disease. | | | | Canadian, Wisconsin or North American ginseng. |
| A recent study looked at 282 patients who had | | | | Although the study seems promising there are, of |
| various forms of cancer and gave them either a | | | | course, a number of caveats to consider before |
| placebo or a dose of American Ginseng. The lead | | | | doctors will blindly recommend ginseng for all |
| author for the study was Deborah Barton of the | | | | cancer patients. |
| Mayo Clinic in Minnesota. | | | | Firstly, the results of this study will need to be |
| The American Ginseng was given in three | | | | validated in a larger study. |
| different dose sizes: 750 milligrams, 1000 | | | | Secondly, the results may not be the same with |
| milligrams, or 2000 milligrams. | | | | commercial ginseng which is sold as a nutritional |
| The results showed that more than two and half | | | | supplement and which is therefore unregulated. |
| times as many patients in the higher dose groups | | | | The doses of ginseng found in commercial ginseng |
| reported that their fatigue was moderately or | | | | may not match what is written on the label. |
| much better as compared to the lowest dose | | | | Ginseng tea also may not be as effective as the |
| group and the placebo group. | | | | ginseng capsules given to the patients in the |
| And, energy levels were higher in the 1000 | | | | study. |
| milligram dose group as compared to the placebo | | | | As always with new announcements about |
| group. | | | | cancer, the best course is to stay informed and |
| The study didn't look at how the actual cancer | | | | to discuss everything with your doctor. |
| responded to the ginseng if at all. | | | | Remember, there could be interactions between |
| It's important to note that the type of Ginseng | | | | nutritional supplements that you may be taking |
| used was American ginseng, the scientific name | | | | such as ginseng and the treatments being given |
| of which is Panax quinquefolius . The ginseng used | | | | to you by your doctor. So, it's always best to |
| in the study was extracted from the roots of | | | | advise your doctors of anything you may be |
| plants grown in Wisconsin and was tested for | | | | taking. |