Source: The root of Panax quinquefolius, a member of the Araliaceae family.
Main production areas include the United States, Canada, and France; also cultivated in China.
Alternative names: American ginseng, foreign ginseng, western ginseng, ginseng from the flower flag.
Main chemical components: Ginsenosides.
Efficacy: Tonifies qi and nourishes yin, clears heat and generates body fluids.
Application: Suitable for individuals with qi-yin deficiency accompanied by internal heat, dry cough due to lung heat, weak breath, lethargy, irritability; post-illness yin deficiency, chronic illness, postpartum weakness, overwork-induced debility, nutritional deficiency, various anemias, bleeding, dizziness, headache, neurasthenia, mental fatigue, lower back pain, spontaneous sweating, and night sweats. Modern applications include diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, neurasthenia, insomnia, yin deficiency, frail constitution, bronchiectasis, and lung cancer.
Dosage and Administration: 3–6 grams, can be decocted, stewed, steamed, dissolved in mouth, mixed with water, separately decocted and taken.
Usage Caution: This herb is cold in nature and may impair yang and promote dampness; therefore, avoid use in cases of deficient central yang or cold-damp stomach conditions. Avoid iron utensils and stir-frying; contraindicated with Liru (Ligusticum wallichii).
Five Recipes Using American Ginseng:
1. Slice 3 grams of American ginseng and steep in hot water as tea; helps strengthen qi and blood, enhances immune function.
2. 5 grams American ginseng, 30 grams longan flesh, 20 grams rock sugar, steam thoroughly; treats qi-blood deficiency or insufficient body fluids, palpitations—excellent for replenishing qi and blood.
3. 5 grams American ginseng, 10 grams lingzhi, decoct and drink twice daily; strengthens body and brain, long-term use improves intelligence and memory.
4. 5 grams American ginseng, 30 grams lily bulbs, add 80 grams honey, steam and eat warm; treats lung yin deficiency with cough, especially effective for chronic, difficult-to-cure coughs.
5. 10 grams American ginseng, 4 taels rock sugar, 2 taels southern apricot kernels, place in a steaming cup, steam over boiling water for 2 hours; moistens lungs and stops cough.
<American Ginseng>