Benefits of Ginseng for Cancer Patients

A research indicates, the use of ginseng in a certain period of time can significantly help reduce fatigue in cancer patients. The researchers noted that the ginseng seems to have no harmful side effects.

In the study, researchers gave a placebo or 2,000 milligrams of ginseng root capsules for the 340 patients treated for cancer or have completed cancer treatment. Fatigue is a common condition that is often experienced by cancer patients. Most of the participants involved in the study of breast cancer.

The patients taking the capsule dlam stud is pure ginseng and ginseng products not containing ethanol. Why? Because according to Debra Barton of the Mayo Clinic Cancer Center, ethanol may be harmful for breast cancer patients.

"After eight weeks, we saw a 20 point improvement in fatigue in cancer patients, from a scale of 100 points which is a standard fatigue," said Barton.

Participants who consumed ginseng in capsules bentu reportedly did not experience any improvement at four weeks, but after eight weeks they feel much better (not easily tired, not easily tired, more energetic) than participants taking placebo.

A previous study at the Mayo Clinic found that about a quarter of patients who had suffered from cancer and suffering from fatigue said that they felt fairly good or better after taking ginseng capsules 1000 milligrams or 2000 milligrams. In comparison, only 10 percent of those using a placebo who obtain these results.

Laura Murphy, a professor of physiology at Southern Illinois University Carbondale says the findings are quite helpful to provide additional knowledge. According to Murphy, ginseng cost will be cheaper than the prescription drugs used to treat fatigue.

Why does ginseng help fatigue? Not yet clear, says Murphy, who had been the focus of studying the issue of herbal medicinal plants.

"Basically, when people ingest ginseng healthy, no significant effect," he said. "However, when the pain consuming ginseng, they tend to feel more normal," he said.

The research was funded by the U.S. National Cancer Institute and Breast Cancer Research Foundation. The plan of these findings will be released on June 4, 2012 at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology in Chicago.

Data and conclusions from the research presented at medical meetings should be seen as an early conclusion to the findings published in peer-reviewed journal.