Foods for Fatigue: Nutrition Versus Traditional Records
Ginseng, jujube and longan are recorded as supplementing vitality. Yet modern health bodies say no food fixes fatigue and urge looking for the cause first.
Quick answer
The NHS lists common causes of tiredness: not enough sleep, an unhealthy lifestyle, stress and depression, hormonal changes, illness and some medicines, and advises a healthy diet, regular exercise and sleep. The NHS page does not say any particular food or supplement fixes fatigue.
The Donguibogam records ginseng for "insufficient qi of the five viscera", and jujube and longan as foods that settle the middle and the will. A formula description also names a state of weariness from overwork and irregular eating. This article presents these as traditional context.
Traditional context in the Donguibogam
Weariness from overwork and irregular eating
治勞役太甚, 或飮食失節, 身熱而煩, 自汗倦怠
It treats excessive labor or irregular eating, with body heat, vexation, spontaneous sweating and fatigue.
Source: Japbyeong-pyeon · quoting Dongwon
This is the indication line of the formula Bojung-ikgi-tang, which combines several herbs including ginseng. It is not a record that a food fixes fatigue; it shows that the classics linked weariness to overwork and irregular eating.
Ginseng (人蔘)
性微溫, 味甘, 無毒. 主五藏氣不足, 安精神, 定魂魄, 明目, 開心益智.
Its nature is slightly warm, its taste sweet, and it is non-toxic. It chiefly treats insufficiency of the five viscera's qi, calms the spirit, settles the ethereal and corporeal souls, brightens the eyes, and opens the heart to benefit wisdom.
Source: Tangaek-pyeon (herb entry)
Jujube (大棗)
性平, 味甘, 無毒. 安中養脾, 補五藏, 助十二經脉, 補津液.
Its nature is neutral, its taste sweet, and it is non-toxic. It calms the center and nourishes the spleen, supplements the five viscera, assists the twelve channels, and replenishes fluids.
Source: Tangaek-pyeon (herb entry)
Longan (龍眼)
性平, 味甘, 無毒. 主五藏邪氣. 安志, 除蠱毒, 去三蟲.
Its nature is neutral, its taste sweet, and it is non-toxic. It mainly treats pathogenic qi in the five viscera, settles the will, removes gu-type toxin, and expels the three kinds of parasites.
Source: Tangaek-pyeon (herb entry)
What modern health sources say
- NHS: causes of tiredness include "not getting enough sleep", an unhealthy lifestyle, stress and depression, hormonal changes, illnesses and some medicines.
- NHS self-help is to "have a healthy diet and exercise regularly" and aim for 6 to 9 hours of sleep, cutting back on caffeine and alcohol and avoiding screens before bed.
- The NHS page does not mention supplements and does not say any food or diet will fix tiredness; its only dietary advice is to eat a healthy diet in general.
Safety and limits
- See a doctor if you have been tired for weeks and are not sure why, if it affects daily life, or if there are other symptoms such as weight loss or mood changes. The NHS says "do not self-diagnose" and to see a GP if you are worried.
- Ginseng is traditionally seen as unsuitable for heat constitutions, uncontrolled high blood pressure or acute fever. Jujube and longan are sugary and need consideration where blood sugar is managed. Check the warnings on the ginseng page first.
Related pages
Frequently asked questions
Will ginseng relieve fatigue?
The Donguibogam records ginseng for insufficient qi of the five viscera, but that is a traditional description. Modern health bodies do not say any food fixes fatigue; if it persists, they advise finding the cause.
What should I do first about tiredness?
The NHS advises looking at habits — sleep, regular exercise, a healthy diet — and seeing a doctor if you have been tired for weeks without knowing why.
Do jujube or longan help?
The Donguibogam records jujube as settling the middle and longan as settling the will. The sources checked for this article hold no modern evidence that they help fatigue.
References and verification
- NHS — Tiredness and fatigue — Source page last reviewed: 2023-06-02, accessed: 2026-10-09
The classical quotations above were checked against the original text by script. Modern statements are paraphrases of the sources listed here, checked on the access date shown. Editorial review date: 2026-10-09.
Educational information only; it does not replace diagnosis or treatment.