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Immune / Rheum / Allergy · also Other / General

Cancer-related fatigue (adjunct)

4 plants

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The NCCTG-type Wisconsin ginseng trials are why Panax quinquefolius is on this page. Effect is modest. Asian ginseng is more stimulating and can wreck sleep. Ashwagandha is a stress-sleep plant with a thyroid/DILI file. Do not add high-dose antioxidant megadose stacks during curative-intent chemo without oncology. Unexplained dyspnea on chemo is PE/anemia/chemo-heart until proven otherwise.

Primary plants

  1. American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius)
    1
    American ginsengHuman data

    Panax quinquefolius

    Human cancer-related-fatigue trials (Wisconsin ginseng-type). Modest. Milder stimulant than Panax.

    Typical. Root extract as studied (often ~1–2 g/day in CRF trials — product-specific). Oncology in the loop.

    Safety. Can drop warfarin INR. Insomnia possible. Not for undifferentiated fever.

Supportive plants3
  • Asian ginseng (Panax ginseng)
    Asian ginsengHuman data
    Panax ginseng

    Traditional convalescent tonic. Mixed fatigue data. More activating.

    Typical. Root extract 200–400 mg if used at all.

    Safety. Insomnia, HTN, INR.

  • Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)
    AshwagandhaHuman data
    Withania somnifera

    If the leftover is stress-sleep more than CRF. Thyroid/DILI.

    Typical. Extract 300–600 mg.

    Safety. Pregnancy (not the usual CRF patient), thyroid, DILI.

  • Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus)
    Siberian ginsengStrong traditional
    Eleutherococcus senticosus

    Eleuthero: traditional adaptogen. Human file heterogeneous; not Panax. Stimulating.

    Typical. Root extract as labeled, courses not forever.

    Safety. Insomnia, HTN. Identity vs toxic Periploca adulterant historically.

Clinical notes

  • New dyspnea, chest pain, or fever on chemo is a protocol, not more ginseng.

When this is not enough

  • Fever/neutropenia, PE/ACS picture, uncontrolled N/V, someone stopping indicated chemo for an antioxidant protocol

Rooted is a private clinical reference for licensed practitioners. It is educational, not a treatment protocol, and not a substitute for the chart, the exam, or pharmacy review. Plant medicines interact with drugs and can harm liver, kidney, heart, pregnancy, and children.

All immune / rheum / allergy diagnoses