Fibromyalgia affects 5% of people worldwide presenting as a chronic pain syndrome. During a typical physical examination pain and hypersensitive pain is often detected.
Treatment approaches include prescription drugs and therapies. Examples of drugs include tricyclic antidepressants (e.g. amytriptilline).
Panax ginseng has been used for hundreds of years and is known to be rich in phytochemicals called ginsenosides.
In total there have been a total of 38 ginsenosides identified in panax ginseng. Several studies have suggested ginsenosides interact with the central nervous system.
The first study published on panax ginseng for controlling chronic pain was recently published.
Here are the study details:
– Study design: randomized, double-blind, controlled, 12-week clinical trial to compare the treatment of fibromyalgia with amitriptyline, P. ginseng and placebo.
– 52 patients with fibromyaligia diagnosed according to the American College of Rheumatology were enrolled.
– Patients: Women age 21 to 60 years old
– Therapies tested: 1) amitriptyline hydrochloride (25 mg/day) 2) P. ginseng root extract (100 mg/d – 27% of ginsenosides) and placebo
– Doses of each were taken at 6 pm every day.
– Outcomes: Patients were evaluated by the visual analog scale, counting tender points, and Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire.
Here are the results of ginseng on fibromyalgia
- Panax ginseng reduced pain scores from week 6 until the end of the study. *
- Panax ginseng decreased fatigue *
- Panax ginseng improved sleep quality *
- Panax ginseng reduced anxiety after 9 weeks until the end of the study *
- Panax ginseng reduced the number of tender points*
*Statistically significant
The authors stated the following when comparing the prescription drug amitriptyline and ginseng:
No significant differences were found between this group (i.e. ginseng) and the groups (amitriptyline)
Take away message:
This double blind placebo controlled study evaluated panax ginseng for fatigue and weakness. The scientists who performed this clinical trial found that panax ginseng was as effective as the prescription amitriptyline for treating symptoms of fibromyaligia. Amitriptyline began working by week 3 while ginseng took until week 6 to see results. Based on the results of this study with 100 mg of panax ginseng that contained 38% ginsenosides, the authors concluded that improvements in pain, fatigue and sleep quality were observed.
When looking for a panax ginseng product make sure it is panax ginseng and not American Ginseng. Also, the product you are using should contain ginsenosides and say on the ‘Supplement Facts’ label that it contains ginsenosides. If you are looking for an alternative to amitriptyline talk to your doctor about trying panax ginseng that is standardized to ginsenosides.
Reference: Effects of Panax ginseng extract in patients with fibromyalgia: a 12-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Rev Bras Psiquiatr. 2013; Volume 35 (Issue 1): pages 21-8.
His research on plant medicine has led to more than 45 publications and abstracts.This research has been presented at international meetings in the USA, France, Turkey, Peru, Israel, Austria, and Italy.
Categories: Clinical Trials, Pain, Plant Extracts
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