Energy & Fatigue
What reviews and health agencies say about ginseng, rhodiola and other adaptogens for tiredness and energy, why lasting fatigue needs a clinician first, and what "adrenal" claims miss.
Content last updated . This page has not been medically reviewed.
Safety first. Natural products can cause side effects and interact with medicines. Read who should be careful, by situation before you use anything on this page.
Tiredness that lasts is a reason to see a clinician before trying a supplement. The NHS says common causes include poor sleep, an unhealthy lifestyle, stress, depression, hormonal changes, some illnesses and some medicines, and that if you cannot explain why you are tired and it is not getting better, it may be a sign of a medical condition. [1] It lists sleep apnoea, iron-deficiency anaemia, diabetes, an overactive thyroid and ME/CFS among conditions that can cause it, and advises seeing a GP if you have been tired for a few weeks and are not sure why. [1] If low mood or hopelessness is part of how you feel, you can call or text 988 in the US. [2]
What the claim is
Energy and fatigue are everyday words, so products say they "support energy" or "adrenal health". "Adaptogen" is a contested term, and this page asks a narrower question: when researchers measured fatigue or energy in people, what did they find, for which plant and which group?What research shows
| Ingredient and group studied | What the source found | Evidence label |
|---|---|---|
| Ginseng (mostly Panax ginseng root), adults with fatigue of different types | A 2023 meta-analysis of 19 trials found no significant fatigue reduction overall; in subgroups, ginseng herbal formulas and chronic fatigue improved, with a small effect size. [3] | Mixed |
| Asian ginseng, NCCIH summary | The same 2023 review of 19 studies (2,413 people) suggested a small benefit for general fatigue and, for chronic fatigue, benefit from certain ginseng formulas with other ingredients but not ginseng alone; NCCIH says not all research agrees. [4] | Mixed |
| Ginseng, 2016 meta-analysis | Four trials showed a fatigue-reduction effect, but the authors judged clinical evidence insufficient because few trials with small samples exist. [5] | Insufficient evidence |
| Ginseng, people with disease-related fatigue | A 2022 meta-analysis of 12 trials (1,298 patients) reported reduced fatigue; the finding is for patients with illness, not healthy people. [6] | Promising but limited |
| Rhodiola (Rhodiola rosea) | NCCIH: not enough reliable evidence for any health-related purpose; most research is low-to-moderate quality. [7] | Insufficient evidence |
| Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) | NCCIH names stress, insomnia and some other uses; fatigue is not among its conclusions. [8] Proper evidence not found for fatigue in the NCCIH page we read. | Not assessed |
Results from one plant do not transfer to another. Ginseng here means Panax species; eleuthero ("Siberian ginseng") and "Indian ginseng" (ashwagandha) are different plants, so these findings do not apply to them.
Traditional use
NCCIH says rhodiola was traditionally used for work performance, endurance and fatigue. [7] The European Medicines Agency's herbal committee (HMPC) concluded, from long-standing use and not from strong trials, that arctic root (Rhodiola rosea) can be used for temporary relief of symptoms of stress such as fatigue, in adults over 18, for no longer than two weeks without medical advice. [9] NCCIH says Asian ginseng has been used in traditional Chinese medicine as a calming agent. [4] Traditional use is not proof of effect.What about "adrenal fatigue"?
The Endocrine Society says no scientific proof exists to support adrenal fatigue as a true medical condition and that no test can detect it. [10] It lists adrenal insufficiency, depression and obstructive sleep apnea among possible real causes of the same symptoms. [10] See adrenal fatigue claims.What a reader can do
Tell a clinician how long you have been tired and every supplement and medicine you take. The NHS lists tests such as blood tests for anaemia, diabetes and hyperthyroidism. [1] For everyday approaches see Energy & Vitality and fatigue: when to get help. Ingredient detail: ginseng for energy, fatigue and cognition, rhodiola for fatigue and, for cordyceps, mushrooms for energy and exercise.Frequently asked questions
Does ginseng help with fatigue?
Results are mixed. A 2023 meta-analysis found no significant effect overall but some benefit in subgroups. [3] NCCIH says not all research agrees. [4]
Does rhodiola give energy?
NCCIH says there is not enough reliable evidence to say it is useful for any health-related purpose. [7] Its European herbal monograph is based on traditional use for stress-related fatigue. [9]
Are adaptogens a safe replacement for coffee?
Proper evidence not found. We searched the NCCIH pages above and PubMed on 2026-10-23 for head-to-head comparisons and found none we could cite. See adaptogens versus caffeine.
Is "adrenal fatigue" the reason I am tired?
The Endocrine Society says it is not an established diagnosis and lists other possible causes to check. [10]
When should I see a doctor about tiredness?
The NHS advises seeing a GP if you have felt tired for a few weeks without knowing why, or if tiredness affects daily life or comes with weight loss or mood changes. [1]
More details: evidence, limits and cautions
The details behind this page: cautions, limits of the evidence and where sources disagree. Open any note to read it.
Safety
- Ginseng: NCCIH says insomnia is the most common side effect and uncommon reports include severe rash, liver damage and severe allergic reactions; it may interfere with blood clotting, worsen autoimmune disorders and lower blood sugar. [4] Ask a clinician or pharmacist if you take blood thinners or diabetes medicines.
- Rhodiola: dizziness, headache and insomnia may occur; an interaction with losartan has been reported. [7]
- Ashwagandha: drowsiness and stomach upset are possible and liver injury is rare; it is not recommended before surgery. [8]
- Pregnancy, breastfeeding, children and older adults: see Adaptogens in pregnancy and breastfeeding and how interactions work.
- Caffeine and other stimulants add to this picture: see adaptogens versus caffeine and stimulants.
References
- NHS (UK). Tiredness and fatigue. Read 2026-10-23.
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. 988lifeline.org. Read 2026-10-23.
- Ginseng and ginseng herbal formulas for symptomatic management of fatigue: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Integr Complement Med. 2023;29(8):468-482. PubMed 36730693. Read 2026-10-23.
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NIH). Asian Ginseng. Read 2026-10-23.
- Efficacy of ginseng supplements on fatigue and physical performance: a meta-analysis. J Korean Med Sci. 2016;31(12):1879-1886. PubMed 27822924. Read 2026-10-23.
- Efficacy of ginseng supplements on disease-related fatigue: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Medicine (Baltimore). 2022;101(26):e29767. PubMed 35776997. Read 2026-10-23.
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NIH). Rhodiola. Read 2026-10-23.
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NIH). Ashwagandha: Usefulness and Safety. Read 2026-10-23.
- European Medicines Agency, Committee on Herbal Medicinal Products (HMPC). Rhodiolae roseae rhizoma et radix - herbal medicinal product (public summary). Read 2026-10-23; the page does not show a current-year review date in the text we read.
- Endocrine Society. Adrenal Fatigue. Patient resource, January 25, 2022. Read 2026-10-23.