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)
Baillon, H.E., Histoire des plantes, vol. 7 (1877-1880)
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Red (left) and White (right) Ginseng (Adam, Chengdu Herb Market)
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! |
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
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)
500mg–2 grams in powder;
3–9 grams in decoction (usually cooked separately in a double-boiler then added to other herbs once cooked)
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:
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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)
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:
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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