Is Ginseng Safe

[almeria]

Is it safe to take korean red ginseng while taking injections to lower testosterone? Will it increase testosterone? My husband is so weak from these injections.

[pjoshea13]

IMO, any potential effect on testosterone [T] will be trumped by the powerful inhibitory effect of the ADT shot.

Presumably, T will be monitored, & ginseng can be halted at any time, so there is little risk IMO.

-Patrick

[billyboy3]

I am again astounded at this post. There is no cure once PC has spread it does not matter what you go and most certainly, to this point in time, most herbs etc. are a waste of time and money and effort. Focus on learning what medical treatments are available depending upon where you are in the curve, then make up a bucket list and live life large.

There is, I repeat, no magic pill, no medication, nothing on this planet that will alter the sad fact, that most of us with advanced PC will die of it or from our treatments. Sorry to be so blunt, but I am so tired of reading people try to create something that does not exist, i.e. a cure for PC.

[Emmett50 in reply to billyboy3]

Billy, to be fair, nothing about this person’s post says that they want to use ginseng as a PCa cure. To me, it sounds like they are trying to ameliorate the side effects of treatment. Almeria, I’m sorry that I don’t know the answer to your question. Please consult your husband’s medical oncologist.

My husband saw his Radiation Oncologist yesterday as a follow up to the end of EBRT. Paul is also suffering from great fatigue and loss of strength. The doctor, as well as many men on this board, say that moderate exercise is the best method to lessening the side effects. My Couch Potato isn’t enthusiastic but is slowly coming to accept that he needs to get moving.

[Hidden]

Well I just ordered ginseng for fatigue. The lupron shots did not fatigue me but the Xtandi sure has. I have walked 3 miles a day for the last 5 years, which helps but Xtandi is kicking my behind. I hope the ginseng helps my fatique and will give you a update after I start taking it.

[Hidden]

Ginseng , green tea, macha tea, all can help energy .

[jazj]

Thinking of taking Panax Ginseng for reasons unrelated to Prostate Cancer. It appears to me it would land in the category "may help, not likely to harm" as far as Prostate Cancer? This paper sort of confused me though. This doesn't sound good:

"Panax ginseng plays an important role in maintaining healthy levels of androgen receptor. Ginseng polysaccharides were found to UP REGULATE androgen receptor mRNA expression levels and PROMOTE TESTOSTERONE levels and this consequently confirms proper function of androgens"

Than the very next paragraph:

"Ginsenoside Rg3 can down-regulate the expression of all gene markers in human prostate carcinoma LNcaP cells.... Rg3 ginsenoside employs multiple anti-proliferative actions towards the androgen dependent LNcaPcells through preventing the conversion of testosterone into more potent dihydrotestosterone,inhibiting cell progression, and enhancing a caspase-3mediated apoptosis."

Sounds like it has a weak action similar to Dustaeride (Avodart) or Finisteride?

researchgate.net/publicatio...

I know Patrick posted a couple years ago about VEGF inhibition too.

healthunlocked.com/advanced....

So seems like very solid evidence it is safe.