Chinese Medicine

What does ginseng do? This question is being asked very often. A lot of people have no idea what ginseng exactly does to their body even though they have taken ginseng for years.

The most mentioned function about ginseng is that ginseng works to supplement Qi. But the concept of Qi-supplement from Chinese medicine is quite elusive and general for those unprofessional.

So what does ginseng do exactly to us?

What does ginseng do according to Shennong Bencao Jing (Shennong’s Classic of Materia Medica):

Ginseng mainly supplements five zang viscera;
Ginseng tranquilizes the mind;
Ginseng soothes the soul;
Ginseng stops palpitation;
Ginseng expels the pathogenic Qi;
Ginseng improves eyesight;
Ginseng benefits the brain and pleases the heart;
Ginseng reduces body weight and prolongs life if taking ginseng for a long time.

What does ginseng do in medical applications?

1. Ginseng can be used for serious illness of Qi deficiency, Qi depletion and pulseless. No matter it is caused by severe blood loss, severe vomiting and diarrhea, or chronic illness and serious illness, large dosage of ginseng solely can invigorate Qi dramatically, bring back the pulse, and relieve Qi depletion, such as Du Shen Tang (Sole Ginseng Decoction).

In recent years, the reports said that Sole Ginseng Decoction can be used for heart failure and cardiogenic shock.

If combined with symptoms of cold limbs and Yang Qi deficiency, ginseng benefits Qi and restore Yang together along with Fu Zi, namely Shen Fu Tang;

If combined with symptoms of plenty of sweat, thirst and deficiency both of Qi and Yin, ginseng benefits Qi and astringe Yin together along with Mai Dong (Ophiopogonis Radix) and Wu Wei Zi (Schisandrae Fructus), namely Sheng Mai San.

2. Ginseng can be used for syndrome of deficiency of lung Qi such as shortness of breath, asthma, no desire to talk, weak voice, feeble pulse, and spontaneous perspiration.

Ginseng benefits lung Qi along with Huang Qi (Astragali Radix) and Wu Wei Zi (Schisandrae Fructus);

Ginseng works often with walnut and gecko for those with chronic asthma due to deficiency both of lung and kidney, such as Ginseng Walnut Decoction and Ginseng Gecko Decoction.

3. Ginseng can be used for syndrome of deficiency of lung Qi such as lethargy, tiredness, appetite loss and loose stools.

Ginseng can also invigorate spleen and replenish Qi along with Bai zhu (Atractylodis macrocephalae Rhizoma), Fu Ling (Poria), and Gan Cao (Glycyrrhizae Radix), such as Si Jun Zi Tang.

4. Ginseng can be used for syndrome of deficiency both of Qi and fluid due to febrile disease, such as body fever, thirst, and wasting-thirst. It is because ginseng benefits Qi and promotes the production of fluid.

Ginseng treats the syndrome of body fever, plenty of sweat, thirst and feeble pulse along with Shi Gao (Gypsum fibrosum), Zhi Mu (Anemarrhenae Rhizoma) etc., such as Bai Hu Jia Ren Shen Tang;

In treating wasting-thirst syndrome, ginseng works very often together with Tian Hua Fen (Tricosanthis Radix), Sheng Di Huang (Rehmanniae Radix), and Huang Qi (Astragali Radix) etc.

5. Ginseng can be used for syndrome of deficiency both Qi and blood, such as palpitation, insomnia, and forgetfulness etc. It is because ginseng benefits Qi, tranquilizes the mind and benefits the brain.

Ginseng can be used alone, or along with Sheng Di Huang (Rehmanniae Radix), Dan Shen (Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae), Suan Zao Ren (Ziziphi spinosae Semen), such as Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan.

6. In addition, ginseng can be used for syndrome of blood deficiency, Qi depletion and impotence.

Usage and dosage for ginseng

Ginseng decoction: 5 to 10g normally, and the dosage can be added to 15 to 30g in critical cases. Slow fire is appropriate.

Ginseng powder: 1.5 to 2g each time.

Cautions for ginseng

Ginseng is imcompatible with Li Lu (Veratrum) and Wu Ling Zhi (Trogopterus dung faeces trogopterori).

It is inappropriate to eat radishes or tea along with ginseng just in case of reducing efficacy.

What does ginseng do? Now I can say that ginseng benefits us so much besides Qi-supplement.