Ginseng and Ginseng Herbal Formulas for Symptomatic Management of Fatigue: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

source extracted confidence: high 2026-04-09
#humans #panax #quality-of-life #complementary-therapies #randomized-controlled-trials-as-topic

Ginseng and Ginseng Herbal Formulas for Symptomatic Management of Fatigue: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Li et al., 2023 | J Integr Complement Med | Meta Analysis

Citation

Li Xiaotong, Yang Mingxiao, ... Mao Jun J. Ginseng and Ginseng Herbal Formulas for Symptomatic Management of Fatigue: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. J Integr Complement Med. 2023-Aug;29(8):468-482. doi:10.1089/jicm.2022.0532

Abstract

Objectives: Ginseng has been widely used in fatigue management. However, its efficacy on fatigue remains unclear. This study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of ginseng and ginseng herbal formulas for fatigue in randomized clinical trials (RCTs). Methods: The authors searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, Web of Science, and Allied and Complementary Medicine Database (AMED) databases from inception to July 6, 2022. Outcomes included fatigue severity, quality of life (QoL), and adverse events (AEs). Quality of evidence was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool. They pooled all included data and performed subgroup analysis by fatigue type, assessment instrument, and ginseng type. Results: The authors included 19 RCTs. Pooled analyses found no significant reduction in fatigue severity with ginseng versus controls (standardized mean difference [SMD]: -0.36, 95% confidence interval [CI]: -0.82 to 0.11, p = 0.13). In subgroup analysis, there was significant fatigue reduction with the ginseng herbal formula (SMD: -0.39, 95% CI: -0.66 to -0.13, p = 0.004) and chronic fatigue (CF) (SMD: -0.30, 95% CI: -0.56 to -0.03, p = 0.03) compared to controls. Ginseng produced significant reductions in general (i.e., non-disease-specific) fatigue compared to controls (SMD: -0.48, 95% CI: -0.71 to -0.25, p < 0.0001). Ginseng was associated with a trend toward QoL improvement (p = 0.05) and did not increase AEs compared with controls. Effect sizes were small. Conclusion: Ginseng herbal formulas improved fatigue severity compared to controls, especially among patients with CF, but with a small effect size. Rigorous RCTs as well as guidelines for standard ginseng usage are needed to further evaluate the effects of ginseng for fatigue and ensure proper use.

Key Findings

The authors included 19 RCTs. Pooled analyses found no significant reduction in fatigue severity with ginseng versus controls (standardized mean difference [SMD]: -0.36, 95% confidence interval [CI]: -0.82 to 0.11, p = 0.13). In subgroup analysis, there was significant fatigue reduction with the ginseng herbal formula (SMD: -0.39, 95% CI: -0.66 to -0.13, p = 0.004) and chronic fatigue (CF) (SMD: -0.30, 95% CI: -0.56 to -0.03, p = 0.03) compared to controls. Ginseng produced significant reduction

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population cf
Sample Size 19
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Humans
  • Panax
  • Quality of Life
  • Complementary Therapies
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Meta-Analysis, Systematic Review, Journal Article
  • Vertical: ginseng-energy

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09