WH Acupuncture & Herbs Centre

This mediicnal is the dried root orrhizoma of Panax Ginseng C.A. Mey. (Fam.Araliaceae). The ones produced in Fusong county of Jinlin Province being of the largest quantity are called Jinlin Gingseng. The wild Ginseng, also called mountain Ginseng, is of the best quality. The wild Genshen grown in the mountain forest is called linxiashen, while the cultivated one is known as Garden Ginseng, which is normally harvested after the plant has been growing for 6-7years. Raw roots of Ginseng, after being washed clean and dried by sunlight, are known as suncured Ginseng; while those dried after having been steamed are known as red Ginseng. The fine roots produced in the process of preparation are known as Ginseng tassel. Mountain ginseng dried by sunlight is known as suncured mountain Ginseng. This medicinal is sliced or ground for use.

[ Medicinal Properties]: Sweet, slightly bitter, neutral; relate to lung, spleen and heart meridians.

[ Medicinal Efficacies ]: Replenish the primordial qi; tonify the spleen and lung; promote fluid production and induce tranquilization.

[ Clinical Applications ]: 1. Prostration syndrome of primordial qi      It is a vital life-saving medicinal and used to treat the crucial state due to prostration syndrome of primordial qi manifested as shortness of breath, listlessness, as well as a weak and faint pulse . It can be used alone such as in the Dushen Decocotion. For declination of yang qi manifested as cold extremities, it is used in combination with Fuzi, as in the Shenfu Decoction. For thirst due to deficiency of both qi and yin, it is used in combination with Maidong and Wuweizi, as in the Shengmai Powder.

2. Lung qi deficiency syndrome     For shortness of breath, dyspnea, reluctance to speak and a low voice due to deficient lung qi, it is usually used in combination with Huangqi and Wuweizi. For dyspnea due to deficiency of both the lung and kidney, it is used in combinaiton with Gejie and Wuweizi, as in the Renshen Gejie Powder.

3. Spleen qi deficiency syndrome      For lassitude, lack of strength, anorexia and loose stools due to spleen qi deficiency, it is usually used in combination with Baizhu and Fuling as in the Sijunzi Decocotion. For various type of bleeding due to the failure of spleen to control blood, it is usually used in combinationn with Huangqi and Baizhu, as in the Guipi Decoction.

3.Thirst due to  qi deficiency and consumption of fluid in febrile diseases; xiaoke (similar to diabetes)       For febrile diseases with consumption of qi and body fluid manifested as thirst, large and feeble pulse, it is prescribed with Zhimu, Shigao as in BaiHu Jia Renshen Decoction. For xiaoke(similar to diabetes), it is used in combination with Tianhuafen and Shengdihuang.

5. Palpations fearful throbbing, insomnia and dream-disturbed sleep    Due to its action of replenishing heart qi, it is used in combination with Suanzaoren and Baizhiren to treat heart qi deficiency syndrome manifested as palpations, fearful throbbing, insomnia and dream-disturbed sleep.

In addition, it functions to replenish qi and strengthen yang and is used to treat impotence. When combined with pathogen-expelling medicinals such as exterior-releasing mediicnals, offensive purgatives, it has the efficacy to reinforce the healthy and dispel the pathogenic. It is used to treat excessive pathogens with healthy qi being deficient, such as in the case of qi deficiency with external contraction or with heat accumulation of interior-excess.

[Usage and Dosage ]: 3-9g. In case of prostration syndrome, the recommended dosage can be as much as 15-30g. It should be simmered separately and later mixed with decoction of other medicinal herbs for oral administration. As to Wild ginseng. it is ground into powder for swallows, 2g each time, two times per day.

[ Precautions ]: It should not be used in combination with Lilu.

[ Side Effects ]: Chronic administration of Renshen or Renshen Preparations can cause diarrhea, rashes, insomnia, nervousness, increased blood pressure, melancholy, hypersexuality (or hyposexuality), headache or palpitations. Bleeding is indicatiive of acute poisoning of Renshen.

人参为五加科植物人参Panax ginseng C.A.Mey.的根。主产于吉林、辽宁、黑龙江。以吉林抚松县产量最大，质量最好，称吉林参。野生者名“山参”；栽培者称“园参”。园参一般应栽培6～7年后收获。鲜参洗净后干燥者称“生晒参”；蒸制后干燥者称“红参”；加工断下的细根称“参须”。山参经晒干称“生晒山参”。切片或粉碎用。