Ginseng was recently shown to target tumour stem cells, which are the cells responsible for most cancer malignancies. These cells may only account for a small fraction of cells in a tumour, but they are a force to be reckoned with, as they are essentially immortal and have the ability to resist conventional treatments. To add to this chemotherapy and radiation can sometimes raise cancer stem cell numbers and invasiveness. Radiation has been shown to convert regular breast cells into breast cancer stem cells that are highly malignant, such examples are the reason why behind many secondary cancers as well as patient deaths.
Ginseng has been used in traditional medicines in China for over 2,000 years, only recently has ginsenosides, a constituent of the herb, be found to inhibit tumour growth, regulate tumour cell cycle, and induce tumour cell differentiation. Additionally ginsenosides can stop tumours from developing new blood vessels needed for nourishment, causing them to starve. It is believed that ginseng will likely be used as an antitumour drug for several types of cancer in the future due to its many anti-cancer effects and few side effects.
This is not the first study to find ginseng can fight cancer, ginsenosides have been shown to cause cell death in a range of cancers including lung, cervical, ovarian, breast, and prostate cancers along with hepatocarcinoma, melanoma, and osteoscarcoma. Rg3 metabolites found within the herb have been shown to reduce the average volume of tumours by 40% according to a study published in the journal Chemico-Biology Interactions.
Supplementing with ginseng has been shown to help cancer patients and survivors who felt sluggish and fatigued from treatment to feel better after 2 months in another study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. Most cancer patients will suffer with fatigue at some point, it is a type of fatigue that doesn’t really respond by getting more rest, the good news is that ginseng appears to help tackle this.
Those without cancer can also benefit from this herb, it is considered to be beneficial for overall well being and can help with indigestion, headaches, focus, concentration, and cognitive performance.
Look for high quality organic ginseng supplements or teas from a trustworthy and reputable source, and be sure not to over do it as the herb does have a few side effects such as blood pressure fluctuations.
Unfortunately radiation and chemotherapy leave much to be desired, ginseng’s healing compounds may be a game changer when it comes to treating cancer.
