Panossian, Alexander, Wikman, Georg · Current clinical pharmacology · 2009 · DOI
This review examined whether herbal supplements called adaptogens can help with fatigue and ME/CFS. Researchers found that some adaptogens—particularly Rhodiola rosea—showed promise in clinical studies for improving attention, thinking, and mental energy in people with fatigue and chronic fatigue syndrome. The review suggests these herbs may work by helping the body manage stress through changes in specific stress-response proteins and hormones.
For ME/CFS patients seeking non-pharmacological interventions, this review provides systematic evaluation of herbal options with documented clinical efficacy. Understanding potential molecular mechanisms helps distinguish plausible candidates from unfounded claims and may inform future targeted research in ME/CFS populations specifically.
This review does not establish that adaptogens are effective specifically in ME/CFS beyond the initial mention of one study; most included trials examined mild fatigue or general populations. The proposed molecular mechanisms are theoretical frameworks that require direct experimental validation in ME/CFS patients. This is a review of existing literature, not new clinical evidence, and efficacy in one adaptogen does not guarantee efficacy in others.
About the PEM badge: “PEM required” means post-exertional malaise was an explicit required diagnostic criterion for participant inclusion in this study — not that PEM was studied, observed, or discussed. Studies using criteria that do not require PEM (e.g. Fukuda, Oxford) are tagged “PEM not required”. How the atlas works →
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Primary citation
Panossian, Alexander & Wikman, Georg (2009). Evidence-based efficacy of adaptogens in fatigue, and molecular mechanisms related to their stress-protective activity.. Current clinical pharmacology. https://doi.org/10.2174/157488409789375311
BibTeX
@article{mecfsatlas-panossian-2009-evidence-based,
author = {Panossian, Alexander and Wikman, Georg},
title = {Evidence-based efficacy of adaptogens in fatigue, and molecular mechanisms related to their stress-protective activity.},
journal = {Current clinical pharmacology},
year = {2009},
doi = {10.2174/157488409789375311},
note = {PubMed: 19500070},
url = {https://www.mecfsatlas.com/evidence/panossian-2009-evidence-based},
}Atlas snapshot reference
ME/CFS Atlas. Generator v1 / Scanner v1.4 / policy v0.1. Accessed 2026-05-26. https://www.mecfsatlas.com/evidence/panossian-2009-evidence-based
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