Use of ginseng (Ren Shen) in TCM
Please note that you should never self-prescribe TCM ingredients. A TCM ingredient is almost never eaten on its own but as part of a formula containing several ingredients that act together. Please consult a professional TCM practitioner, they will be best able to guide you.
Preparation: For optimum potency, ginseng needs to be harvested when it is at least 4 years old but the best is a minimum of 7 years. After harvest remove the stems, leaves and small fibrous roots. There are several ways to prepare it. "Raw ginseng" is simply washed and dried. "Sugar ginseng" is picked with needle-sized holes and soaked in sugar water before it is dried. "Red ginseng" is steamed at high temperature for 2 hours before being dried.
Dosage: 3 - 9 grams
Main actions according to TCM*: Very strongly tonifies the Qi. Tonifies the Lungs and Spleen. Assists the body in the secretion of Fluids and stops thirst. Strengthens the Heart and calms the Shen (mind/spirit).
Primary conditions or symptoms for which ginseng may be prescribed by TCM doctors*:
Dyspnea
Loss of appetite
Palpitations
Insomnia
Impotence
Dehydration
Restlessness
Fatigue
Weak pulse
Wheezing
Contraindications*: This herb should not be used by those with Yin Deficiency with Heat signs or by those with Heat because of Excess. It should also not be used when there are acute pathogenic conditions. It should be avoided by those with very high blood pressure.
Common TCM formulas in which ginseng (Ren Shen) are used*
Ren Shen is a king ingredient in Si Jun Zi Tang. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
In Si Jun Zi Tang, Ren Shen is a a powerful tonic for the Spleen Qi. Today however it is often substituted for Codonopsis root (Dang Shen), which plays a similar role and is significantly less expensive.
Read more about Si Jun Zi Tang
Ren Shen is a king ingredient in Liu Jun Zi Tang. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
In Liu Jun Zi Tang, Ren Shen is a a powerful tonic for the Spleen Qi. Today however it is often substituted for Codonopsis root (Dang Shen), which plays a similar role and is significantly less expensive.
Read more about Liu Jun Zi Tang
Ren Shen is a king ingredient in Gui Pi Tang. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
In Gui Pi Tang, Ren Shen is a very powerful substances for tonifying the Spleen Qi and so is Milkvetch root (Huang Qi), another key herb in this formula.
Read more about Gui Pi Tang
Ren Shen is a king ingredient in Tong Ru Dan. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
In Tong Ru Dan, Ren Shen tonifies Qi. This is necessary in this breastmilk-boosting formula because Qi is the ultimate source of milk.
Read more about Tong Ru Dan
Ren Shen is a king ingredient in Ba Zhen Yi Mu Tang. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
In Ba Zhen Yi Mu Tang, Ren Shen is warm in nature and it tonifies Qi
Read more about Ba Zhen Yi Mu Tang
Ren Shen is a king ingredient in Ren Shen Yang Rong Tang. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
In Ren Shen Yang Rong Tang, Ren Shen strongly augments Qi, generates Body Fluids and tonifies the Spleen, Lungs, and Heart. Together with Bai Shao, these two herbs address the pathodynamic treated by this formula and harmonize all of the organs that are directly affected by it.
Read more about Ren Shen Yang Rong Tang
Ren Shen is a king ingredient in Ren Shen Zi Xie Tang. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
In Ren Shen Zi Xie Tang, Ren Shen tonifies Qi in order to nourish Blood
Read more about Ren Shen Zi Xie Tang
Ren Shen is a king ingredient in Ba Zhen Tang. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
In Ba Zhen Tang, Ren Shen is warming in nature and augments the Qi.
Read more about Ba Zhen Tang
Ren Shen is a king ingredient in Gu Ben Zhi Beng Tang. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
In Gu Ben Zhi Beng Tang, Ren Shen tonifies and raise Qi.
Read more about Gu Ben Zhi Beng Tang
Ren Shen is a king ingredient in Ren Shen Dang Gui Tang. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
In Ren Shen Dang Gui Tang, Ren Shen tonifies the original Qi.
Read more about Ren Shen Dang Gui Tang
Ren Shen is a king ingredient in Shen Fu Tang. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
In Shen Fu Tang, Ren Shen Ginseng Radix is sweet and warm and it strongly tonifies the Heart and Lungs Qi, It also enriching the Body Fluids.
Read more about Shen Fu Tang
Ren Shen is a king ingredient in Shen Ling Bai Zhu San. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
In Shen Ling Bai Zhu San, Ren Shen is a powerful tonic for the Spleen Qi.
Read more about Shen Ling Bai Zhu San
Ren Shen is a king ingredient in Sheng Mai San. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
In Sheng Mai San, Ren Shen strongly tonifies the source Qi and strengthens the Qi so as to generates Body Fluids. The depute herb Dwarf lilyturf root is more on creating the Fluids directly. The combination of the two herbs give a strong effect on Body Fluids generating.
The Lung Qi is replete when the source Qi is strong. Therefore, the Lungs can easily regulates the interstices and pores so as to contain Body Fluids between the skin and muscles.
The herb also calms the spirit.
This is a well balanced formula. The key herb tonifies, the deputy clears, and the assistant restrains leakage.
Read more about Sheng Mai San
Ren Shen is a deputy ingredient in Ju Yuan Jian. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
In Ju Yuan Jian, Ren Shen tonifies the Qi of the Middle Burner, like the other two deputy herbs (Atractylodes rhizome and Liquorice). It is worth mentioning that Ginseng being often prohibitively expensive, it is commonly substituted for Codonopsis root (Dang Shen) which has similar attributes and is much cheaper.
Read more about Ju Yuan Jian
Ren Shen is a deputy ingredient in Wan Dai Tang. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
In Wan Dai Tang, Ren Shen strongly tonifies Qi and strengthens the Spleen.
Read more about Wan Dai Tang
Ren Shen is a deputy ingredient in Ju Pi Zhu Ru Tang. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
In Ju Pi Zhu Ru Tang, Ren Shen tonifies Qi to complement the key herbs' regulation effects
Read more about Ju Pi Zhu Ru Tang
Ren Shen is a deputy ingredient in Li Zhong Wan. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
In Li Zhong Wan, Ren Shen strongly tonifies the source Qi. This reinforces the Yang and rectifies the ascending and descending functions of the Middle Burner.
Read more about Li Zhong Wan
Ren Shen is an assistant ingredient in Fu Zi Tang. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
In Fu Zi Tang, Ren Shen strongly tonifies the original Qi but also generates Fluids, providing the organism with a basis for re-establishing normal physiological functioning.
Read more about Fu Zi Tang
Ren Shen is an assistant ingredient in Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
In Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang, Ren Shen works together with Poria-cocos mushrooms (Fu Ling), another assistant here, to strengthen the Spleen (always crucial when treating conditions with Dampness, especially chronic ones).
Read more about Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang
Ren Shen is an assistant ingredient in Sang Piao Xiao San. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
In Sang Piao Xiao San, Ren Shen strongly tonifies the source Qi. Strong source Qi is a prerequisite for a healthy mind. It also tonifies the Heart.
Read more about Sang Piao Xiao San
Ren Shen is an assistant ingredient in Ban Xia Xie Xin Tang. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
In Ban Xia Xie Xin Tang, Ren Shen works together with Jujube dates (Da Zao), another assistant herb of this formula, to prevent the dispersing actions of the chief and deputy herbs from injuring the Normal Qi. In this manner, they work with the key herb (Goldthread rhizome) to stop the vomiting.
Read more about Ban Xia Xie Xin Tang
Ren Shen is an assistant ingredient in Xuan Fu Dai Zhe Tang. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
In Xuan Fu Dai Zhe Tang, Ren Shen works together with Liquorice (Gan Cao) and Jujube dates (Da Zao) to tonify the Deficient Qi and strengthen
the Spleen and Stomach.
By supporting the middle Qi, they assist in its recovery and help protect it against further harm from the dispersing properties of the other ingredients in the formula.
Read more about Xuan Fu Dai Zhe Tang
Ren Shen is an assistant ingredient in Di Tan Tang. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
In Di Tan Tang, Ren Shen tonifies the Qi so as to strengthen the Spleen to prevent any Phlegm accumulation or recurring. It is because the Spleen is often the origin of any Phlegm related pathologies.
Read more about Di Tan Tang
Ren Shen is an assistant ingredient in Shen Qi Si Wu Tang. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
In Shen Qi Si Wu Tang, Ren Shen tonifies Qi.
Read more about Shen Qi Si Wu Tang
Ren Shen is an assistant ingredient in Si Mo Tang. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
In Si Mo Tang, Ren Shen augments original Qi but also enriches the Fluids
Read more about Si Mo Tang
Ren Shen is an assistant ingredient in Ding Xiang Shi Di Tang. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
In Ding Xiang Shi Di Tang, Ren Shen strongly augments the Qi
Read more about Ding Xiang Shi Di Tang
Ren Shen is an assistant ingredient in Ren Shen Bai Du San. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
In Ren Shen Bai Du San, Ren Shen strengthens the normal Qi so as to expel the pathogenic influences, helps creating Body Fluids to generate sweating, and strengthens the body's resistance to recurrent invasion, which prevents a relapse.
Read more about Ren Shen Bai Du San
Ren Shen is an assistant ingredient in Qing Zao Jiu Fei Tang. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
In Qing Zao Jiu Fei Tang, Ren Shen tonifies Qi and harmonizes the Middle Burner. It supports the 'mother' (Spleen) in order to benefit the 'child' (Lungs).
Glehnia roots or Crown prince ginseng are often used to replace Ginseng as they are less expensive, but also they nourish the Lung Yin directly and tonifies Qi in the Middle Burner.
Read more about Qing Zao Jiu Fei Tang
Ren Shen is an assistant ingredient in Wu Mei Wan. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
In Wu Mei Wan, Ren Shen tonifies the Qi and nourishes the Blood to prevent further injury to the Normal Qi.
Read more about Wu Mei Wan
Ren Shen is an assistant ingredient in Da Fang Feng Tang. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
In Da Fang Feng Tang, Ren Shen tonifies the Spleen so as to support the generating of the Blood and Qi. It is also one of the four ingredients of the formula Si Jun Zi Tang that is commonly used for Qi and Blood tonifying.
Read more about Da Fang Feng Tang
Ren Shen is an assistant ingredient in Da Jian Zhong Tang. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
In Da Jian Zhong Tang, Ren Shen tonifies and strengthen the Middle Burner Qi so as to relieve the abdominal pain.
Read more about Da Jian Zhong Tang
Key TCM concepts behind ginseng (Ren Shen)'s properties
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), ginseng are plants that belong to the 'Tonic herbs for Qi Deficiency' category. Tonic herbs are used for patterns of Deficiency, when one lacks one of the 'Four Treasures' (Qi, Blood, Yin and Yang). Qi tonics are typically sweet and they tend to enter the Spleen and Lungs because these Organs are most involved with the production of Qi.
Furthermore ginseng are plants that are Warm in nature. This means that ginseng tend to help people who have too much 'Cold' in their body, although with less effect than a plant that would be Hot in nature. Balance between Yin and Yang is a key health concept in TCM. Those who have too much Cold in their body are said to either have a Yin Excess(because Yin is Cold in nature) or a Yang Deficiency (Yang is Hot in Nature). Depending on your condition ginseng can help restore a harmonious balance between Yin and Yang.
Ginseng also taste Bitter and Sweet. The so-called 'Five Phases' theory in Chinese Medicine states that the taste of TCM ingredients is a key determinant of their action in the body. Bitter ingredients like ginseng tend to have a cleansing action on the body by clearing Heat, drying Dampness and promoting elimination via urination or bowel movements. On the other hand Sweet ingredients tend to slow down acute reactions and detoxify the body. They also have a tonic effect because they replenish Qi and Blood.
The tastes of ingredients in TCM also determine what Organs and Meridians they target. As such ginseng are thought to target the Spleen, the Heart and the Lung. In TCM the Spleen assists with digestion, Blood coagulation and Fluids metabolism in the body. In addition to regulating Blood flow, the Heart is believed to be the store of the 'Mind' which basically refers to someone's vitality. In addition to performing respiration, the Lungs are thought in TCM to be a key part of the production chain for Qi and the Body Fluids that nourish the body.
Research on ginseng (Ren Shen)
Panax ginseng is safe and improves cancer-related fatigue as well as overall quality of life, appetite, and sleep at night.1
Panax ginseng shows antifatigue effects in patients with idiopathic chronic fatigue.2
Ginseng supplementation is beneficial in improving glucose control and insulin sensitivity in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus or impaired glucose intolerance.3
Systematic review provided positive research findings of ginseng for sexual function in menopausal women.4
Sources:
1. Yennurajalingam S, Reddy A, Tannir NM, Chisholm GB, Lee RT, Lopez G, Escalante CP, Manzullo EF, Frisbee Hume S, Williams JL, Cohen L, Bruera E. ( 2015). High-Dose Asian Ginseng (Panax Ginseng) for Cancer-Related Fatigue: A Preliminary Report. Integr Cancer Ther. , 14(5):419-27. doi: 10.1177/1534735415580676. Epub 2015 Apr 14.
2. Kim HG, Cho JH, Yoo SR, Lee JS, Han JM, Lee NH, Ahn YC, Son CG. ( 2013). Antifatigue effects of Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. PLoS One. , 8(4):e61271. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0061271. Print 2013.
3. Gui QF, Xu ZR, Xu KY, Yang YM. (2016). The Efficacy of Ginseng-Related Therapies in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Medicine (Baltimore). , 95(6):e2584. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000002584.
4. Lee HW, Choi J, Lee Y, Kil KJ, Lee MS. (2016). Ginseng for managing menopausal woman's health: A systematic review of double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trials. Medicine (Baltimore). , 95(38):e4914. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000004914.
Use of ginseng (Ren Shen) as food
Ginseng are also eaten as food. It is used as an ingredient in dishes such as Chicken Ginseng Soup.
