American ginseng/Shen enhancement with herbs

September 16, 2003

Dear Jackie et al,

American Ginseng is among the 250 or so most commonly used Chinese herbs,

but it is of secondary importance in professional CHM. It is very useful

because it both tonifies the qi and nourishes the yin - particularly the LU

Yin, and is cooling, whereas oriental ginseng, particularly the red variety

(which is red from processing) is quite warm, and can create heat problems

when used inappropriately, or in susceptible individuals. American Ginseng

has quite a spiritual vibe to it. It tonifies the qi less strongly than

oriental ginseng, but this is not necessarily a problem - in fact, this is

to be preferred in some people who have a tendency to get excessively hot or

hyper. I believe that it may be useful for altitude sickness. It is a herb

that, unlike many Chinese herbs, can be taken on its own. Otherwise, Phil

Rogers has given quite a detailed list of its properties.

I'd like to take the opportunity to inform the group about Ron Teegarden's

work. Teegarden has an excellent website, and has writeen an excellent

book - The Ancient Wisdom of the Chinese Tonic Herbs. He gives American

Ginseng as a 5 star rating.

Teegarden has a real understanding of the health/longevity promoting

qualities of Chinese herbs, and also the Shen-enhancing qualities, such that

Chinese herbs can be used as an aspect of spiritual development. He's right

about this.

Best wishes,

Wainwright

-

" " <

Tuesday, September 16, 2003 2:37 PM

Re: American ginseng

Hi All, & Hi Jackie

> Is [American ginseng] much used?

I cannot answer that, but I presume so.

> Any comment on it's action or efficacy compared to yin formulas??

> Jackie

Here are some data from my notes:

Pinyin Name: Xiyangshen; Huaqishen

Common Name: American Ginseng Rx

Latin Name: Panacis Quinquefolii Rx

Herb Class: Tonic~Build Qi; Build Yin

Actions: Adaptogen/Antistress; Tonic~physical; boost physical

performance, muscle strength; hypoxic tolerance; Build Qi; Build

Yin*; Build Fluids; Clear Fire; Clear Xu Fire; Clear Yin Xu Fire;

Calm Shen; Calm Brain; Rectify CNS; Nourish/Stabilise CNS; Aid

Mental stabililty; Build HT Xue Flow; Antiischaemic; Antihypoxia

(Boost Hypoxic Tolerance); HT~Antiarrythmic; Build SP; Build SP

Qi; Build SP in T & T food essence; SP-Protector; Build Muscle; LV-

Protector; Hypolipaemic; Build LU; Build LU Qi; Build LU Yin;

Antioxidant/Antiageing; Adaptogen/Antistress; Boost Metabolism;

Strengthen body; Build up body; Boost vitality; Boost physical

endurance; encourage body Fx;

Antifatigue/Antiexhaustion~profound in exhaustion w Xu;

Antishock; Antiviral; Protect Tissues against strong stimuli;

Sialagogue; Ease Thirst; Diuretic; Boost Libido; Immunostimulant;

Aid Nerve healing; Vulnerary; Haemostat~Astringe; Regenerate

Tissue; hasten RNA; protein synthesis; Antimutagenic

Nature: Sweet; bitter-bitter~slightly; cool. relatively cool compared

to Korean; Chinese ginseng

Channels entered: LU; KI; ST; HT

Dose: 1.5-30g/d

Uses: LU DysFx; SP DysFx; Qi Xu; Yin Xu; Xu; fatigue; debility;

Immunosuppression; LU Xu; Cough~chronic; Xue Xu; anaemia;

bleeding; Mouth dry; Thirst; Tiredness; Unrest; Xu Fever;

xerostomia (mouth~dry) in radiation therapy; AMI (acute

myocardial infarct) w HT Xu/HT Xue Stasis; Protect Tissues against

strong stimuli; e.g. extreme Heat; Anxiety; Shen Disturbed; Cancer

Radiotherapy- Protector~nose; -Protector~Pharynx: Boil 3g/d in

water; Take for 20 d before treatment; continue in therapy to reduce

xerostomia w appetite~poor; libido low

Cautions: Toxicity is very low but may cause allergic reaction

Best regards,

September 16, 2003

>>American Ginseng is among the 250 or so most commonly used Chinese herbs,