Patient description: The patient is a 47-year-old Asian woman complaining of persistent feelings of sadness. She lost interest in activities she used to enjoy. She states that her mood is mostly depressed for the past 3 weeks. She also lost her appetite , which led to about 5kg weight loss. She complains of loss of energy and feelings of worthlessness nearly every day. She is not using any drugs and she does not smoke. She doesn't drink alcohol. She used to exercise every day for at least 30 min. But she doesn't have enough energy to do so for the past 3 weeks. She also has some digestive issues recently. She is married and has 4 children. She is menopausal. Her husband was recently diagnosed with colon cancer and he is starting his chemotherapy. There is nothing remarkable in her past medical history and her drug history is only positive for Vit D3 1000 units daily. Her family history is negative for any psychologic problems. Her HAM-D score is 20.

Clinical trial eligibility criteria: eligible ages (years): 18.0-999.0,  Cancer Survivor Stage I Breast Cancer AJCC v7 Stage I Colon Cancer AJCC v6 and v7 Stage IA Breast Cancer AJCC v7 Stage IB Breast Cancer AJCC v7 Stage II Breast Cancer AJCC v6 and v7 Stage II Colon Cancer AJCC v7 Stage IIA Breast Cancer AJCC v6 and v7 Stage IIA Colon Cancer AJCC v7 Stage IIB Breast Cancer AJCC v6 and v7 Stage IIB Colon Cancer AJCC v7 Stage IIC Colon Cancer AJCC v7 Stage III Breast Cancer AJCC v7 Stage III Colon Cancer AJCC v7 Stage IIIA Breast Cancer AJCC v7 Stage IIIA Colon Cancer AJCC v7 Stage IIIB Breast Cancer AJCC v7 Stage IIIB Colon Cancer AJCC v7 Stage IIIC Breast Cancer AJCC v7 Stage IIIC Colon Cancer AJCC v7 Histologic or cytologic proven breast cancer or colon cancer (stage I, II or III) Treated with chemotherapy and surgery Treatment has been completed (except hormone therapy) for >= 90 days prior to registration No known evidence of disease Men or women with a history of CRF as defined by a score >= 4 on the numeric analogue scale (0 ? 10) (Eligibility Question Fatigue Scale) Presence of CRF >= 30 days prior to registration Hemoglobin >= 11.0 g/dL obtained =< 180 days prior to registration Serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT) =< 1.5 x upper limit of normal (ULN) obtained =< 180 days prior to registration Creatinine =< 1.2 X ULN obtained =< 180 days prior to registration Ability to complete questionnaire(s) in English by themselves or with assistance  Hypersensitivity to ginseng Use of ginseng capsules for fatigue, within the last 12 months Uncontrolled hypertension >= 2 times as noted in medical history (diastolic blood pressure > 100, systolic > 160) =< 90 days prior to registration Currently using any other pharmacologic agent to specifically treat fatigue including psychostimulants, antidepressants, etc., although antidepressants used to treat items other than fatigue (such as hot flashes) are allowed if the patient has been on a stable dose for >= 30 days prior to registration and plans to continue for >= 30 days after registration; erythropoietin agents to treat anemia are allowed Known brain metastasis or primary central nervous system (CNS) malignancy Chronic oral or intravenous systemic steroid use (defined as being used on a regular basis or who have a problem that has required ongoing use of steroids in the last 180 days for greater than 7 days) Diabetes (defined by being on oral hypoglycemics or insulin) Psychiatric disorder such as severe depression, manic depressive disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder or schizophrenia; (defined per medical history) Major surgery =< 28 days prior to registration Any of the following