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Panax, American Ginseng, Xi Yang Shen 西洋参

Xi Yang Shen (TCM)
Panax quinquefolium
Medicinal Plants, Millspaugh, 1892

American Ginseng root
Notes on Pharmacognosy, Otto Augustus Wall, 1902
Botanical name:
Panax quinquefolium

Parts used:
Root

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

Classification:
N. Yin Tonics

Uses:
1. Benefits Qi, Nourishes Yin:
-Yin-deficient Heat;
-Chronic or low-grade Fever
-aftermath of a Heat disease or Epidemic disease with weakness, thirst, irritability
-'Wasting and Thirsting disorder'; thirst with wasting as seen in Diabetes

2. Nourishes Lung Yin, Clears Lung Heat:
-Cough, Wheezing, and Hemoptysis from chronic Heat damaging the Lungs
-Loss of Voice

3. Strengthens the Spleen and Stomach Qi:
-lethargy, poor appetite, abdominal distention, chronic diarrhea
-American Ginseng shares this function with Panax Ren Shen, but is not as strong


Dose:
Powder: 500mg–2 grams;
Decoction: 3–9 grams (usually cooked separately in a double-boiler then added to other herbs once cooked)

Comment:
American Ginseng and its Asian relative are both viewed as powerful tonic medicines. The Asian Ginseng is generally viewed as stronger, and better to increase Qi. The American Ginseng is better to nourish Yin and is preferred in conditions with both Qi and Yin deficiency. However, both share similar functions, both being viewed as substitutes for one another in Unani medicine.

Correctives:
1. Oxymel (Unani)
2. Lettuce seed (Unani)

Substitutes:
1. Codonopsis Dang Shen is an accepted substitute in TCM for Ginseng (Ren Shen), and may also be used for American Ginseng.
2. In Yin deficiency, it may be replaced with Marshmallow root or Asparagus root.
3. Date (Unani)

Preparations:
It can be steamed with wine to make it more warming to the Yang.

Main Combinations:
1. High Fever that has damaged Qi and Yin, American Ginseng with Ophiopogon Mai Men Dong, Anemarrhena Zhi Mu
2. Lethargy, Wheezing with Heat and Yin deficiency, American Ginseng with Schisandra Wu Wei Zi, Ophiopogon Mai Men Dong
3. Yin deficient Heat:
i. American Ginseng with Rehmannia Sheng Di Huang, Dendrobium Shi Hu, Schisandra Wu Wei Zi
ii. with dryness of the Mouth and Throat, debility, American Ginseng with Asparagus (Tian Men Dong) and Solomans Seal (Yu Zhu)
4. Yin and Qi deficiency, American Ginseng with Astragalus Huang Qi, Dioscorea Shan Yao
5. Chronic Cough:
i. from Heat, American Ginseng with Figwort and Licorice
ii. from Lung weakness, American Ginseng with Coltsfoot flower (Kuan Dong Hua), Almond kernel and Licorice.
6. Diabetes, American Ginseng with Rehmannia Sheng Di Huang, Dioscorea Shan Yao, Anemarrhena Zhi Mu

Major Formulas
Mai Men Dong Tang
Qing Shu Yi Qi 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.

Drug Interactions:
Not used with Veratrum Li Lu.

Main Preparations used:

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