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Panax, Ren Shen, Ginseng 人参

Ren Shen (TCM)
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Panax ginseng (as Aralia ginseng)
Baillon, H.E., Histoire des plantes, vol. 7 (1877-1880)

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Red (left) and White (right) Ginseng (Adam, Chengdu Herb Market)

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Ginseng often forms man-like roots,
hence its name RenShen  'Man root'.
This is similar to the way Mandrake
got its name in the West. This example
is doing his best Elvis impersonation!

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Botanical name:
Panax ginseng (syn. Aralia ginseng)
Panax quinquefolium is the closely related American Ginseng

Parts used:
Root; Dried ('White') or Prepared ('Red')

Temperature & Taste:
Warm, moist. Sweet, slightly Bitter

Classification:
N. Tonics

Uses:
1. Strongly Tonifies Qi:
-can be used in a variety of chronic diseases and disorders associated with deficiency
-supportive tonic to increase and preserve health and promote longevity.

2. Strengthens the Spleen and Stomach Qi:
-lethargy, poor appetite, abdominal distention, chronic diarrhea

3. Strengthens the Lung, Increases Qi:
-chronic cough, wheezing, shortness of Breath, labored Breathing

4. Benefits Heart Qi, Calms the Mind and Spirit:
-palpitation with anxiety, insomnia, forgetfulness, restlessness

5. Generates Fluid, Stops Thirst:
-'Wasting and Thirsting disorder'; thirst with wasting as seen in Diabetes


DOSE:
500mg–2 grams in powder;
3–9 grams in decoction (usually cooked separately in a double-boiler then added to other herbs once cooked)
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Main Combinations:
1. Marked Qi and Yang deficiency with sweating, ice-cold extremities, short of breath, very low pulse:
i. Ginseng with ... available in PRO version
ii. Ginseng with ... available in PRO version
2. Qi and Yin deficiency with sweating, shortness of Breath and a low pulse, Ginseng with ... available in PRO version
3. Spleen Qi deficiency with fatigue, poor appetite, loose stool, Ginseng with ... available in PRO version
4. Marked weakness and sinking of the Yang Qi, including Prolapses, Ginseng with ... available in PRO version
5. Yin deficient Heat, Hectic Fever, Cough, Ginseng with ... available in PRO version
6. Asthma, Wheezing, shortness of Breath from Kidney and Lung deficiency:
i. Ginseng with ... available in PRO version
ii. Ginseng with ... available in PRO version
iii. severe cases, Ginseng, ... available in PRO version
7. Chronic Cough from Lung weakness:
i. Ginseng with ... available in PRO version
ii. Ginseng with ... available in PRO version
8. Insomnia, palpitation, shortness of breath, poor appetite from Heart and Spleen deficiency,
i. Ginseng with ... available in PRO version
ii. Ginseng with ... available in PRO version
ii. Ginseng with ... available in PRO version
9. Insomnia, palpitations, anxiety, irritability from Heart deficiency :
i. Ginseng, ... available in PRO version
ii. Ginseng with ... available in PRO version
10. Palpitations with spontaneous sweating:
i. Ginseng with ... available in PRO version
ii. Ginseng with ... available in PRO version
iii. decoct Ginseng, ... available in PRO version
11. Impotence from Kidney deficiency:
i. Ginseng with ... available in PRO version
ii. Ginseng with ... available in PRO version
iii. severe deficiency, Ginseng with ... available in PRO version
12. Exhaustion after sex:
i. decoct Ginseng with ... available in PRO version
ii. Ginseng, ... available in PRO version
13. Kidney weakness from excess Sex:
i. Ginseng with ... available in PRO version
ii. Ginseng, ... available in PRO version

Major Formulas:
Ba Zhen Tang
Ban Xie Xie Xin Tang
Bu Fei Tang
Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang
Chai Hu Gui Zhi Tang
Chai Hu Jia Long Gu Mu Li Tang
Dang Gui Nian Tong Tang
Di Tan Tang
Ding Zhi Wan
Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang
Fu Zi Li Zhong Wan
Fu Zi Tang
Gan Cao Xie Xin Tang
Gui Pi Tang
Gui Zhi Ren Shen Tang
Huang Lian Tang
Jian Pi Wan
Jiu Xian San
Li Zhong Wan
Liu Jun Zi Tang
Mu Xiang Liu Qi Yin

Ren Shen Bai Du San
Ren Shen Bu Fei Tang
Ren Shen Ge Jie San
Ren Shen Hu Tao Tang
Ren Shen Yang Rong Tang
Sang Piao Xiao San
Shen Fu Tang
Shen Ling Bai Zhu San
Shen Qi Si Wu Tang
Sheng Mai San
Shi Quan Da Bu Tang
Si Jun Zi Tang
Tian Wan Bu Xian Dan
Xiang Sha Liu Jun Zi Tang
Xiao Chai Hu Tang
Zai Zao San
Zhen Ren Yang Zang Tang
Zhi Gan Cao Tang
Zhi Shi Xiao Pi Wan
Zhu Ye Shi Gao Tang

Cautions:
1. Not generally used in heat conditions (unless corrected in formula). Especially not used in Heat-type bleeding or external pathogenic heat.
2. Not used in rising Liver Yang.
3. Best to avoid use with coffee.

Main Preparations used:
Red Ginseng (steamed with wine)

A Complete History of Drugs:
The following excerpt is taken from A Complete History of Drugs (Pomet, London, 1748). It clearly demonstrates the link between 'Vital Spirit' of the West with 'Qi' in TCM:

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  • Home
  • About
  • Resources
    • Brief Overview of Traditional Medicine
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    • Materia Medica of Herbal Medicine PRO
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    • Herbal Combinations
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    • Types of Treatment in Traditional Medicine
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    • Diseases and Formulas
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