Panax, American Ginseng, Xi Yang Shen 西洋参
Xi Yang Shen (TCM)
Panax quinquefolium
Medicinal Plants, Millspaugh, 1892
American Ginseng root
Notes on Pharmacognosy, Otto Augustus Wall, 1902
Botanical name:
Panax quinquefolium
Parts used:
Root
Temperature & Taste:
Cool, moist. Sweet, slightly Bitter
Classification:
Uses:
1. Benefits Qi, Nourishes Yin:
-Yin-deficient Heat;
-Chronic or low-grade Fever
-aftermath of a Heat disease or Epidemic disease with weakness, thirst, irritability
-‘Wasting and Thirsting disorder’; thirst with wasting as seen in Diabetes
2. Nourishes Lung Yin, Clears Lung Heat:
-Cough, Wheezing, and Hemoptysis from chronic Heat damaging the Lungs
-Loss of Voice
3. Strengthens the Spleen and Stomach Qi:
-lethargy, poor appetite, abdominal distention, chronic diarrhea
-American Ginseng shares this function with Panax Ren Shen, but is not as strong
Dose:
Powder: 500mg–2 grams;
Comment:
Correctives:
Substitutes:
Preparations:
Main Combinations:
1. High Fever that has damaged Qi and Yin, American Ginseng with … available in PRO version
2. Lethargy, Wheezing with Heat and Yin deficiency, American Ginseng with … available in PRO version
3. Yin deficient Heat:
i. American Ginseng with … available in PRO version
ii. with dryness of the Mouth and Throat, debility, American Ginseng with … available in PRO version
4. Yin and Qi deficiency, American Ginseng with … available in PRO version
5. Chronic Cough:
i. from Heat, American Ginseng with … available in PRO version
ii. from Lung weakness, American Ginseng with … available in PRO version
6. Diabetes, American Ginseng with … available in PRO version
Major Formulas
Mai Men Dong Tang
Qing Shu Yi Qi Tang
Cautions:
1. Not generally used in heat conditions (unless corrected in formula). Especially not used in Heat-type bleeding or external pathogenic heat.
2. Not used in rising Liver Yang.
3. Best to avoid use with coffee.
Drug Interactions:
Not used with Veratrum Li Lu.
Main Preparations used:
GENERAL / REVIEW
–Panacis Quinquefolii Radix: A Review of the Botany, Phytochemistry, Quality Control, Pharmacology, Toxicology and Industrial Applications Research Progress.
–[Research progress on saponins, biological activities of saponins, and quality control of Panax quinquefolium].
PROCESSING
–[Influence of different processed methods on 10 kinds of ginsensides in Panacis Quinquefolii Radix].
TONIC EFFECT
–[Research on the mechanism of Yin-enriching and Qi-reinforcing, strengthening body and tonification deficiency syndrome action of radix Panacis quinquefolii].
