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Ren Shen (Ginseng)
is the dried root of the plant Panax ginseng, belonging to the Araliaceae family.
This refers to the Northeast Ginseng that we commonly use.
What are the functions of Ren Shen (Ginseng)?
We all know that Ren Shen (Ginseng) is a tonic.
But what exactly does it tonify?
Below are notes from Muzi Health Talks on the clinical applications of Ren Shen (Ginseng).
1. Greatly tonifies Yuan Qi (Original Qi),
used for Yuan Qi deficiency, severe Qi deficiency syndrome.
1. Prolonged illness leads to physical weakness,
resulting in extreme deficiency.
2. Acute severe conditions,
due to excessive sweating, vomiting, diarrhea, or bleeding,
where Qi is lost with blood and fluids,
can also lead to Yuan Qi deficiency,
manifesting as shortness of breath, fatigue, and a weak pulse.
— Du Shen Tang (Single Ginseng Decoction) (using high-quality ginseng), taken frequently.
For those with Qi deficiency experiencing fatigue,
it is common to drink water infused with Ren Shen (Ginseng) to tonify Qi.
2. Tonifies the Qi of the organs,
tonifying the Qi of the Spleen and Lungs, and the Heart and Kidneys,
generally addressing Qi deficiency syndromes of these four organs.
1. Tonifying Spleen Qi — Spleen Qi deficiency
— characterized by a bland taste in the mouth and lack of appetite, which is key for treatment.
Although Ren Shen (Ginseng) tonifies various Qi, it is particularly effective for tonifying Middle Qi.
It is commonly used in Si Jun Zi Tang (Four Gentlemen Decoction) to tonify Spleen Qi.
2. Tonifying Lung Qi — Lung Qi deficiency
— chronic cough, shortness of breath, spontaneous sweating, weak voice, and thin, weak pulse.
3. Tonifying Heart Qi — Heart Qi deficiency
— characterized by a knotted pulse and palpitations.
4. Tonifying Kidney Qi — Kidney Qi deficiency
— with symptoms like weak Kidney Qi, chronic cough, shortness of breath, and enuresis.
— Ren Shen (Ginseng) is also used to treat impotence.
It is particularly effective for age-related functional impotence.
Thus, elderly individuals often consume Ren Shen (Ginseng).
3. Generates fluids.
Ren Shen (Ginseng) is seven parts Yang and three parts Yin,
it benefits Qi and generates fluids (indirectly); it generates fluids and quenches thirst (directly).
Three parts belong to Yin — directly having the effect of generating fluids and quenching thirst.
Seven parts belong to Yang — mainly achieving fluid generation indirectly through Qi tonification, thus it is known as a medicine that benefits Qi and generates fluids,
used for both Qi and fluid deficiency — characterized by excessive thirst and drinking.
Ren Shen (Ginseng) tonifies Qi and can also generate fluids, treating symptoms of Qi and Yin deficiency such as shortness of breath, fatigue, excessive sweating, thirst, red tongue with little fluid, and weak or rapid pulse, often combined with Mai Dong (Ophiopogon) and Wu Wei Zi (Schisandra) in formulas like Sheng Mai San (Generate the Pulse Powder).
4. Calms the spirit.
Calming the spirit — for Heart Qi deficiency or Heart blood deficiency — insomnia and palpitations.
Ren Shen (Ginseng) — calms the heart and spirit — for those with unsettled minds.
Tonifying Qi — for those with Heart Qi deficiency and unsettled minds — palpitations and insomnia,
as Qi and blood nourish each other — Ren Shen (Ginseng) tonifies Spleen and Lung Qi, making it easier to generate blood.
Note: For those with Yin deficiency and excess heat, or internal heat disturbing the mind, using Ren Shen (Ginseng) in severe conditions (anxiety, difficulty falling asleep) should be approached with caution.
This herb enters the Heart channel, benefiting Heart Qi, calming the spirit, and enhancing intelligence, significantly improving memory and enhancing the patient’s mental state.
5. Enhances intelligence — improves cognitive function.
The Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing states that Ren Shen (Ginseng) can tonify the five organs, calm the spirit, stabilize the soul, stop palpitations, eliminate evil Qi, brighten the eyes, and enhance intelligence.
The cognitive enhancement from Ren Shen (Ginseng) does not increase IQ but addresses the following aspects.
1. It can eliminate fatigue
— physical fatigue, visual fatigue, mental fatigue.
After these fatigues, one feels exhausted and unable to work or study,
at this time, drinking some Ren Shen (Ginseng) can relieve fatigue and help the body return to a state of learning.
2. Children and youth with congenital deficiencies, Qi and essence depletion, and insufficient nourishment in later life, leading to inadequate Qi and blood to nourish the spirit — cognitive development may be delayed.
3. Middle-aged and elderly individuals experiencing rapid memory decline and forgetfulness — Ren Shen (Ginseng) can help delay memory loss.
There are many benefits to Ren Shen (Ginseng),
but it is essential to use it based on syndrome differentiation.
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