ALIMENTOS SALUDABLES A BASE DE HIERBAS ORIENTALES

MEDICINA HERBARIA

 

 

 

Ginseng

(人参 Rén Shēn)

 

 

Aliases (别名 / Other Names)

• 人衔 (Rén Xián), 鬼盖 (Guǐ Gài) — Shén Nóng Běn Jīng (The Classic of Materia Medica)
• 土精 (Tǔ Jīng), 神草 (Shén Cǎo), 黄参 (Huáng Shēn), 血参 (Xuè Shēn) — Wú Pǔ Běn Cǎo
• 地精 (Dì Jīng) — Guǎng Yǎ
• 百尺杵 (Bǎi Chǐ Chǔ) — Běn Cǎo Tú Jīng
• 海腴 (Hǎi Yú), 金井玉阑 (Jīn Jǐng Yù Lán), 孩儿参 (Hái’ér Shēn) — Běn Cǎo Gāng Mù (Compendium of Materia Medica)
• 棒棰 (Bàng Chuí) — Major Medicinal Materials of Liaoning

 

Source (出处)

《本经》 / Shén Nóng Běn Jīng (The Classic of Materia Medica)

 

Botanical Origin (来源)

Ginseng refers to the root of Panax ginseng C.A.Mey., a plant of the family Araliaceae (五加科).

1) Cultivated Ginseng (园参 / Yuán Shēn)

• Harvested between September–October from plants older than 6 years.
• Carefully dug to avoid breaking roots.
• Fresh product is called “Garden Ginseng Fresh Root” (园参水子).
• Fresh transplanted wild ginseng is called “Transplanted Wild Ginseng Fresh Root” (移山参水子).

2) Wild Ginseng (野山参 / Yě Shān Shēn)

• Harvested between May–September.
• Soil loosened with a bone needle, roots gently lifted to avoid damage.
• Fresh product called “Wild Ginseng Fresh Root” (野山参水子).

 

Morphology (原形态 / Botanical Description)

• A perennial herb up to 60 cm tall.
• Taproot thick, fleshy, cylindrical; may branch.
  • Upper bifurcation → called “Spirit Body (灵体)” or “Horizontal Body (横体)”
  • Lower branching or unbranched → “Clumsy Body (笨体)” or “Stout Body (顾体)”
• Numerous long fibrous roots with warty nodules (珍珠点 “pearl points”).
• Stem erect, smooth, cylindrical, green.

Leaves:

• Verticillate at the stem apex; number increases with age:
  • Year 1: 1 trifoliate leaf
  • Year 2: 1 palmate leaf with 5 leaflets
  • Year 3: 2 × 5 leaflets
  • Year 4: 3 whorls
  • Eventually up to 6 whorls
• Leaflets ovate/obovate; edges serrated.

Flowers:

• Umbel of greenish-yellow flowers on a 7–20 cm peduncle.
• Flowers bisexual or male.
• Season: June–July

Fruits:

• Berry-like drupes, kidney-shaped, turning bright red when ripe.
• Seeds: white, flattened-ovoid.
• Fruit season: July–September

 

Habitat & Distribution (生境分布)

Grows in dense forests of:

• Heilongjiang
• Jilin
• Liaoning
• Northern Hebei

Wild = Wild Mountain Ginseng (野山参)
Cultivated = Garden Ginseng (园参)
Transplanted = “Transplanted Mountain Ginseng (移山参)”

Medicinal parts also include:

• Ginseng Rhizome (人参芦 / Ginseng Caudex)
• Adventitious Roots (人参条 / Ginseng Rootlets)
• Fibrous Roots (人参须 / Ginseng Fibers)
• Ginseng Leaves (人参叶)
• Ginseng Flower (人参花)
• Ginseng Fruit (人参子)

(All have their own entries.)

 

Macroscopic Characteristics (性状)

1) Garden Ginseng (园参)

Also called Seedling Ginseng (秧参).

• Taproot cylindrical, pale yellow, with transverse rings at upper part.
• Rhizome 2–6 cm long with bowl-shaped rhizome scars.
• 2–6 branch roots; long fibrous roots with pearl-like warts.

Main Commercial Types (因加工方法不同):

(1) Red Ginseng (红参 / Hóng Shēn)

• Length 5–20 cm, diameter 0.7–2 cm
• Surface reddish-brown, semi-translucent
• Strong longitudinal wrinkles
• Cross-section horny, reddish, with lighter core
• Aroma fragrant, taste slightly bitter

(2) “Edge-Strip” Ginseng (边条参)

Similar to red ginseng but longer rhizome, longer main body, longer branch roots.

(3) Sugar Ginseng (糖参 / Táng Shēn)

• Length 3.5–12 cm, diameter 0.6–2 cm
• Yellowish-white surface with ring patterns
• Powdery cross-section, yellowish-white
• Sweet slightly bitter taste

(4) White Ginseng (白人参 / Bái Rén Shēn)

Similar to sugar ginseng but shape better; resembles wild ginseng.

(5) Sun-Dried Ginseng (生晒参 / Shēng Shài Shēn)

• Length 3–10 cm, diameter 0.3–2 cm
• Yellowish surface with dark wrinkles
• Fibers removed
• White cross-section, brittle, fragrant, bitter
• With complete rhizome + fibers = “Whole-Fibers Sun-Dried Ginseng” (全须生晒参)

(6) Peeled Dried Ginseng (白干参)

• Surface yellowish or off-white
• Shallow wrinkles visible
• Similar to sun-dried ginseng

(7) Skin-Pinched Ginseng (掐皮参)

• Length 6–15 cm, diameter 1.2–2.5 cm
• Yellow surface with man-made dimples
• Branch roots tied like “ox-tail”
• Taste sweet, slightly bitter

(8) “Strong” Ginseng (大力参)

• Length 5–15 cm
• Semi-translucent yellow root, prominent wrinkles
• Hard and brittle, shiny horn-like cross-section
• Bitter taste

Quality Evaluation

Best = long body, thick branches, long rhizome
Inferior = thin branches, short rhizome, high sugar content

Major producing areas: Jilin > Liaoning > Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture

 

2) Wild Ginseng (野山参 / Yě Shān Shēn)

• Taproot short and thick; often with 2 major branch roots resembling a human body
• Fine deep transverse rings at upper part
• Rhizome 3–9 cm, twisted upper part known as “Goose-Neck Rhizome (雁脖芦)”
• Lower rhizome smooth = “Round Rhizome (圆芦)”
• Sparse, long, flexible fibrous roots with pearl dots
• Entire root pale yellow-white, glossy, fragrant, slightly sweet-bitter

Commercial types identical to garden ginseng:

• Sun-dried ginseng
• Sugar ginseng
• Skin-pinched ginseng

Best quality =

• Big branches
• Abundant interior substance
• Fine striations
• Long rhizome with dense rhizome bowls
• Presence of round rhizome + pearl dots

Major producing areas: Jilin, Liaoning, Heilongjiang

 

3) Transplanted Mountain Ginseng (移山参 / Yí Shān Shēn)

• Resembles wild ginseng
• Lower taproot more swollen
• Coarser and lighter root striations
• Fewer pearl dots
• Commercial forms same as wild ginseng

 

4) Korean Ginseng (朝鲜人参 / Cháoxiǎn Rén Shēn / Korean Ginseng)

Also called 高丽参 (Gāolì Shēn).

Two commercial types:

(1) Korean Red Ginseng (朝鲜红参)

• Processing same as Chinese red ginseng
• Robust root, with double “horseshoe rhizomes”
• Surface reddish-brown, ridged
• Hard and heavy
• Horny, shiny cross-section with chrysanthemum pattern
• Strong aroma, sweet slightly bitter taste

(2) Korean White Ginseng (朝鲜白参)

• Cylindrical root
• Yellow-white surface with fine brownish lines
• Most fibrous roots removed
• Light, spongy texture
• Slight aroma, sweet slightly sour taste

 

 

Processing (炮制 · Pào Zhì)

• Sugar-processed Ginseng (糖参类 / Sugar-ginseng type):
  Remove the rhizome head (芦头 lú tóu) and cut into sections for use.
• Red Ginseng (红参类 / Red-ginseng type):
  Remove the rhizome head, cut into sections, or wrap in a damp cloth to soften, then slice thinly and dry.

 

Channel Entry (归经 · Guī Jīng)

Enters the Spleen and Lung meridians.

1. Ben Cao Yan Yi Bu Yi 《本草衍义补遗》: “Enters the Hand-Taiyin (Lung).”
2. Ben Cao Hui Yan 《本草汇言》: “Enters the Lung and Spleen meridians.”
3. Yao Pin Hua Yi 《药品化义》: “Enters the Spleen, Stomach, and Lung meridians.”

 

Properties & Flavor (性味 · Xìng Wèi)

Flavor: sweet and slightly bitter, Nature: warm

1. Ben Jing 《本经》: “Sweet in flavor, slightly cold in nature.”
2. Bie Lu 《别录》: “Slightly warm, non-toxic.”
3. Ben Cao Bei Yao 《本草备要》:
   • Raw ginseng: sweet, bitter, slightly cool
   • Prepared ginseng: sweet, warm

 

Precautions (注意 · Zhù Yì)

Contraindicated in excess patterns and heat patterns.

1. Ben Cao Jing Ji Zhu 《本草经集注》: “Poria (茯苓 Fú Líng) acts as envoy; incompatible with sow-thistle root; antagonistic with Veratrum (藜芦 Lí Lú).”
2. Yao Dui 《药对》: “Fears Five-Spice Resin (五灵脂 Wǔ Líng Zhī); incompatible with Gleditsia (皂荚 Zào Jiá) and black soybean; agitates Purple Quartz (紫石英 Zǐ Shí Yīng).”
3. Yao Xing Lun 《药性论》: “Iris lactea (马蔺 Mǎ Lìn) acts as envoy; dislikes briny minerals.”
4. Yi Xue Ru Men 《医学入门》: “Use cautiously in yin-deficient fire-cough and hemoptysis.”
5. Yue Chi Ren Shen Zhuan 《月池人参传》: “Avoid iron utensils.”
6. Yao Pin Hua Yi 《药品化义》:
   “If spleen–stomach heat-excess, lung heat with phlegm, fresh hemorrhage, chest oppression, esophageal obstruction, constipation, parasites, or accumulations, do not use ginseng.”

Functions & Indications (功能主治 · Gōng Néng Zhǔ Zhì)

Greatly tonifies primordial qi (大补元气), prevents collapse, generates fluids, calms the spirit.
Indicated for:

• fatigue, deficiency damage
• poor appetite, lethargy
• rebellious stomach qi, vomiting
• chronic diarrhea
• deficiency cough, shortness of breath
• spontaneous sweating, collapse
• palpitations, forgetfulness
• dizziness, headache
• impotence, frequent urination
• wasting-thirst (diabetes-like conditions)
• women’s metrorrhagia
• pediatric chronic convulsions
• all qi–blood–body-fluid deficiency patterns

 

Classic citations

1. 《本经》:
   “Tonifies the five zang organs, calms the spirit, stops palpitations, expels evil qi, brightens the eyes, opens the heart, enhances intelligence.”
2. 《别录》:
   “Warms cold in the intestines and stomach, treats abdominal fullness and pain, vomiting of cholera, harmonizes the center, stops thirst, opens channels, breaks masses, improves memory.”
3. 《药性论》:
   “Treats organ-qi deficiency, five-taxations, seven-injuries, emaciation, vomiting, cholera, phlegm in chest, lung atrophy, epilepsy, cold rebellious qi, post-febrile poor appetite, dream-disturbance.”
4. 《日华子本草》:
   “Harmonizes the middle and regulates qi, promotes digestion and appetite.”
5. 《珍珠囊》:
   “Nourishes blood, tonifies Stomach qi, drains Heart fire.”
6. 《医学启源》:
   “Treats Spleen–Stomach yang deficiency and Lung qi insufficiency; tonifies while draining internal fire.”
7. 《滇南本草》:
   “Treats yin–yang dual deficiency and Lung qi weakness.”
8. 《本草蒙筌》:
   “Calms asthma, unblocks blood vessels, drains yin-fire, nourishes primordial yang.”
9. 《纲目》:
   “Treats all deficiency disorders for both men and women.”

 

Dosage & Administration (用法用量)

• Decoction (boiled): 0.5–3 qian
• Large dose: 0.3–1 liang
• Also used in syrups, pills, powders.

 

Formulas (复方 · Fù Fāng)

(All herbal names include English equivalents.)

Below is a complete translation of each formula exactly as in the original:

① Four Gentlemen Decoction (四君子汤)

For: Qi deficiency of Ying & Wei, poor appetite, abdominal fullness, diarrhea, vomiting.
Ingredients (equal amounts):

• 人参 Ginseng Root (Ren Shen)
• 白术 Atractylodes macrocephala (Bai Zhu)
• 茯苓 Poria (Fu Ling)
• 甘草(炙) Honey-fried Licorice Root (Zhi Gan Cao)

Powder and take 2 qian per dose.

② Warm Stomach Decoction (温胃煮散)

Indications: Stomach deficiency cold, epigastric fullness.

Ingredients:

• 人参末 Ginseng powder 2 qian
• 生附子末 Raw Aconite (Fu Zi) powder 0.5 qian
• 生姜 Fresh Ginger (Sheng Jiang) 1 fen

Boil and drink warm.

③ Chronic Lung Deficiency Cough

• 人参 Ginseng 2 liang
• 鹿角胶 Deer Antler Glue (Lu Jiao Jiao) 1 liang

Take 3 qian with Peppermint & Fermented Soy decoction.

④ Ren Shen Gecko Powder (人参蛤蚧散)

Treats chronic lung disorders, pus-blood sputum, swelling.

Ingredients include:

• 蛤蚧 Gecko
• 杏仁 Apricot Kernel (Xing Ren)
• 甘草 Licorice
• 知母 Anemarrhena
• 桑白皮 Mulberry Root Bark
• 人参 Ginseng
• 茯苓 Poria
• 贝母 Fritillaria

Powder and take like tea daily.

⑤ Ginseng + Prepared Aconite Decoction

For yang deficiency, short breath, spontaneous sweating.

• 人参 Ginseng 5 qian
• 熟附子 Processed Aconite 1 liang

⑥ For Heart-Qi Deficiency and Palpitations

Pork kidney + 人参 Ginseng, 当归 Angelica Sinensis, cooked and eaten.

⑦ Ding Zhi Wan (定志丸)

For emotional instability, fear, palpitations, memory loss.

Ingredients:

• 远志 Polygala Root (Yuan Zhi)
• 菖蒲 Acorus (Shi Chang Pu)
• 人参 Ginseng
• 白茯苓 Poria

Honey pills coated with cinnabar.

⑧ Yu Hu Wan (玉壶丸)

For excessive thirst (Xiao Ke):

• 人参 Ginseng
• 瓜蒌根 Trichosanthes Root (Tian Hua Fen)

Equal parts, honey pills.

⑨ Xiao Ke Thirst

Ginseng powder + egg white.

⑩ Du Shen Tang (独参汤)

For collapse after bleeding:

• 大人参 Large Ginseng
• 枣 Jujube

⑾ Severe Bleeding from Emotional Damage

• 人参(焙) Roasted Ginseng
• 侧柏叶 Biota Leaves
• 荆芥穗 Schizonepeta Spike

Powder and take with water.

⑿ Childhood ocular deviation after seizures

Human Ginseng + Donkey-Hide Gelatin.

⒀ Intractable diarrhea (噤口痢)

Ginseng + Lotus Seed.

⒁ Ren Shen Tang (人参汤, Golden Chamber)

For chest bi, chest fullness, qi blockage.

• 人参 Ginseng
• 甘草 Licorice
• 干姜 Dried Ginger
• 白术 Atractylodes

⒂ Cholera with vexation

桂心 Cinnamon Heart Bark + Ginseng.

⒃ Deficiency Malaria

Ginseng + Realgar pills.

⒄ Pregnancy nausea with cold stomach

Ginseng + Dried Ginger pills.

 

Clinical Applications (临床应用)

1. Emergency use

Large doses (0.3–1 liang) or ginseng injection for:

• cardiogenic shock
• severe collapse
  Combined with Aconite to rescue yang-collapse.

2. Cardiovascular diseases

Useful for:

• hypertension
• coronary sclerosis
• angina

Small dose raises BP; large dose lowers BP.

3. Stomach & liver diseases

Improves appetite in chronic gastritis, reduces symptoms, may help prevent chronic hepatitis progression.

4. Diabetes

Improves general condition; may lower glucose in mild cases; reduces insulin dosage in some patients.

5. Psychiatric disorders

May help psychasthenic or depressive-type disorders; improves subjective symptoms.

6. Neurasthenia

Improves fatigue, headache, insomnia; increases physical capacity.

7. Impotence

Enhances gonadal function; effective in neuropathic or premature-ejaculation types.

8. Other effects

Improves vision and dark adaptation; used in many combined therapies.
Avoid in heat-excess or sudden qi block leading to bleeding or throat dryness.

 

Processing Methods (制法)

1. Red-ginseng Type (红参类)

Steam fresh garden ginseng until yellow and translucent, then dry.
Products: red ginseng, strip-ginseng.

2. Sugar-ginseng Type (糖参类)

Parboil, sulfur-fumigate, needle-pierce, soak in sugar syrup twice, dry.
Products: white ginseng, sugar-ginseng.

3. Sun-dried Ginseng (生晒参类)

Wash, sun-dry, sulfur-fumigate, dry.
Products: sun-dried ginseng, full-beard ginseng, white-dried ginseng.

4. Other Types

(1) Skinned Ginseng (掐皮参)
Multiple hot-water blanching, needle-piercing, thin sugar soaking, light roasting, peel separation.

(2) Strong Ginseng (大力参)
Brief blanching then sun-drying.

 

Storage

Ginseng easily absorbs moisture and exudes sugar (“return-sugar”).
Store in a cool, dry, dark, sealed place, protected from insects.