Episode 48: Ginseng for Cancer-Related Fatigue

Posted September 15, 2021

Wendy Vogel, MSN, FNP, AOCNP^®

Emily A. Lemke, DNP, AGPCNP-BC, AOCNP^®

Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is one of the most prevalent, debilitating symptoms for patients with cancer. It is also a multifactorial problem for which there is no one solution. Emily A. Lemke, DNP, AGPCNP-BC, AOCNP^®, of the Medical College of Wisconsin, summarizes data on one potential option: 2,000 mg of American ginseng daily. She reviews the safety and efficacy, where to source it, and tools to measure fatigue in patients.

Related Content:

Ginseng for the Management of Cancer-Related Fatigue: An Integrative Review. J Adv Pract Oncol 2021;12(4):406–414
Ginseng (American) in About Herbs
Ginseng Board of Wisconsin
Evaluation of the psychometric properties of the PROMIS Cancer Fatigue Short Form with cancer patients. J Psychosom Res. 2016 Feb;81:9-13
MFSI (Multidimensional Fatigue Symptoms Inventory)
ESAS (Edmonton Symptom Assessment System)