Ginseng Improves Breast Cancer Outcomes
August 22, 2006 by Gloria Gamat
Filed under Diseases & Conditions
According to a Chinese study, one of the most popular traditional herbals, ginseng, can potentially improve the survival rates and quality of life of breast cancer patients.
A well known traditional herb, ginseng, is usually taken to enhance and reduce feelings of fatigue and physical stress. Ginseng is also believed to have anti-cancer properties and has been reported to normalize blood glucose levels, improve insulin sensitivity and reduce the risk of obesity.
The population-based observational study of 1,455 breast cancer patients in Shanghai (China) found that women who used ginseng before breast cancer diagnosis (or started taking the herb after diagnosis) experienced its benefits.
“When patients used ginseng prior to diagnosis, they tended to have higher survival,” said lead researcher Xiao-Ou Shu, M.D., Ph.D. from Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center. “Ginseng use after cancer diagnosis was related to improved quality of life.”
This new research is published recently in the American Journal of Epidemiology (Vol. 163, pp. 645-653).
These days, ginseng is gaining popularity in the West and even finding its way into energy drinks.
My brother brought home Korean ginseng tea powder; I’m an iced tea lover so I find it really good especially with a pinch of calamansi (Filipino lemon).
Better find a ginseng tea and drink up!
Source: NutraIngredients
