Chronic Fatigue: CAM Therapies for Specific Conditions

• Ginseng, Panax Ginseng, or Crenshen ("man root" in Chinese) is an "adaptogen" which can both stimulate and sedate and can serve a normalizing influence on energy levels. Studies indicate that ginseng increases energy, counteracts fatigue, and has a mild aphrodisiac effect.

Caution: Potential negative effects of ginseng excessive use or overdose include postmenopausal bleeding (stop using it), anxiety, high blood pressure, nervousness, insomnia, skin lesions, diarrhea, euphoria, and breast tenderness. It should not be used with any acute inflammatory disease, such as arthritis, and should not be used if you have hypertension. Vitamin C and other acids reduce absorption. Vitamin E and flaxseed oil increase effectiveness. Typical preparation and dose is 5 percent ginsenosides or between 200 and 500 mg per day. Ginseng should be used in cycles of daily for two months, then abstain for two weeks.

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From THE BEST ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE: WHAT WORKS? WHAT DOES NOT? by Dr. Kenneth R. Pelletier.
Copyright © 2000 by Dr. Kenneth R. Pelletier, Inc.
Reprinted by permission of Simon & Schuster, Inc., New York, New York.

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Unless otherwise indicated, Dr. Kenneth R. Pelletier. All Rights Reserved.
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