Ginseng is the “king of herbs” for nourishing Qi. Since ancient times, there has been a saying in China that a bowl of ginseng soup can bring one back from the brink of death. Ginseng can greatly replenish Yuan Qi (元气, Original Qi), rescuing those in critical condition, and is the primary herb for treating deficiency and fatigue. It is suitable for conditions of extreme Yuan Qi deficiency caused by excessive sweating, diarrhea, blood loss, or prolonged illness, leading to symptoms such as shortness of breath, fatigue, and a weak pulse.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) believes that Yuan Qi is the most fundamental and important Qi in the body, and insufficient Yuan Qi results in weakness, lack of strength in the limbs, and even collapse or shock. In such cases, this herb can be urgently used in decoction, such as in the formula of Du Shen Tang (独参汤, Ginseng Decoction) from the book Jingyue Quanshu (《景岳全书》). Ancient practitioners often used large doses of ginseng (30-50 grams) to treat patients with Qi deficiency shock, achieving remarkable results, hence its reputation for having the power to “bring the dead back to life.” The medicinal value of ginseng cannot be underestimated and has always been highly regarded as a precious medicinal material.
Ginseng is the fastest Qi tonic; no other herb can surpass it.
Ginseng can save lives, which is why TCM considers it the foremost herb for reviving the dead.
When a person is on the verge of death, gasping for breath with a weak pulse, it is because their Yuan Qi has been severely depleted.
Experienced TCM doctors will use a large dose of ginseng to brew a bowl of Du Shen Tang, which can be taken immediately to revive the patient.
Why can ginseng bring the dead back to life?
Physical blood cannot be quickly replenished, but intangible Qi can be rapidly supplemented. When a person’s Yuan Qi is extremely weak, or when they are in shock and unconscious due to severe blood loss, ginseng replenishes Qi the fastest, stabilizing the condition in the shortest time, allowing the patient to be revived.
Ginseng comprehensively replenishes Qi; no other herb can surpass it.
Qi exists everywhere in the body.
Functionally, Qi can be divided into “Yuan Qi, Zong Qi (宗气, Ancestral Qi), Ying Qi (营气, Nutritive Qi), and Wei Qi (卫气, Defensive Qi)”;
According to the organs, it can be divided into: Lung Qi, Spleen Qi, Kidney Qi, Heart Qi, and Liver Qi.
Which type of Qi does ginseng replenish?
Ginseng replenishes Qi throughout the body, particularly excelling at replenishing Yuan Qi.
Symptoms such as spontaneous sweating, shortness of breath when climbing stairs, low lung capacity, and fatigue indicate Lung Qi deficiency, which can be treated with ginseng to tonify Lung Qi.
For those with Lung Qi deficiency, the most suitable Qi tonic is Huang Qi (黄芪, Astragalus), but ginseng can also be effective.
Some friends with typical Lung Qi deficiency may find Huang Qi ineffective; combining it with ginseng can yield quick results because ginseng replenishes Qi rapidly.
Ginseng tonifies Wei Qi, thus it can treat spontaneous sweating;
Ginseng tonifies Lung Qi, thereby increasing lung capacity and enhancing physical strength.
Loss of appetite, reduced food intake, overall fatigue, and post-meal bloating without a thick greasy tongue coating indicate Spleen Qi deficiency, which can be treated with ginseng to tonify Spleen Qi.
Three typical symptoms of Spleen Qi deficiency: reduced appetite, abdominal bloating, and loose stools.
There are many people today with Spleen Qi deficiency, especially women.
If one is still in the stage of deficiency without forming a solid condition, and the tongue coating is not thick and greasy, ginseng can be used to tonify Spleen Qi.
If there is a thick greasy coating, it is not recommended to use ginseng; if it must be used, it should be combined with other herbs.
For those with poor sexual function, impotence, or insufficient Kidney Qi, ginseng can be used to tonify Kidney Qi.
Ginseng can also treat impotence and premature ejaculation, which many may not expect.
Impotence can cause many men to lose their dignity; it is a difficult condition to treat.
However, impotence is generally a deficiency syndrome, often due to Liver Qi deficiency and Kidney Qi deficiency.
Ginseng can greatly replenish Yuan Qi, and naturally, it can tonify Liver and Kidney Qi.
If male friends are troubled by this issue, they might consider consuming more ginseng; it could be effective.
For those with heart failure and symptoms of palpitations, or those who easily have nightmares at night, ginseng can be used to tonify Heart Qi.
When a person’s heart Yang Qi is insufficient, they are prone to palpitations; modern medicine refers to this as heart failure.
People with insufficient heart Yang Qi may easily have nightmares at night and feel restless during the day.
The best herb for tonifying Heart Qi is Hong Shen (红参, Red Ginseng).
Hong Shen is a type of ginseng that has been processed to a red color, enhancing its heart-tonifying power, as red corresponds to the heart.
People with depression can take ginseng for regulation.
Depression is often due to Liver Qi deficiency, where the liver cannot effectively release negative emotions, causing them to become trapped.
Ginseng tonifies Liver Qi, helping the liver to release negative emotions, so those who are often unhappy or prone to depression should consume more ginseng.
Thus, the “Shennong Bencao Jing” states that ginseng can promote happiness and enhance intelligence.
Ginseng has many other uses, such as improving brain function and memory. Those who are prone to forgetfulness can benefit from consuming more ginseng, and it is suitable for those with Alzheimer’s disease.
Additionally, those with chronic enteritis and long-term diarrhea can take ginseng to tonify Middle Qi and improve gastrointestinal function.
Moreover, women who experience excessive menstrual bleeding can benefit from consuming more ginseng to improve their menstrual flow.
Modern medical research has also shown that ginseng has excellent anti-cancer properties.
The benefits of ginseng are numerous and cannot all be remembered; I assure you, you won’t be able to recall them all.
We just need to remember one thing: Ginseng is a tonic for deficiency and Qi; for any deficiency syndrome, regardless of which organ is deficient, ginseng can replenish it.
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