Description
Changbai Mountain Ginseng (长白山人参 Zhǎngbáishān rénshēn) is the ultimate Qi tonic. It is revered for its supporting power the body from severe deficiency. Its primary role is to strongly tonify the Qi of the Spleen and Lungs, stabilize the exterior and calm the spirit.
Warm in nature. Sweet and slightly bitter in taste. It enters the spleen, lungs and heart meridians.
Health Benefits
Greatly tonify Qi, tonify spleen and Lungs, promotes fluid production and relieves thirst, nourishes the heart, soothes the mind & calm the spirit, alleviates fatigue enhances mental clarity, harmonises the five internal organs, supports digestion and respiratory health, improves overall health, rebuilds strength and vitality after a significant illness or surgery, fortify the body against colds and flu, boosts immunity.
Greatly Tonify Primordial Qi
· This is its most celebrated and critical function. “Original Qi” or “Primordial Qi” is the foundational energy of the body, derived from the Kidneys and essential for all life activities. Ginseng is used in critical situations (like severe illness, shock, or extreme exhaustion) to restore vitality. It is a first-line herb for “Yang Collapse” patterns rebuild strength and vitality after a significant illness or surgery, fortify the body against colds and flu, improves overall health, boosts immunity.
Tonify Spleen and Lungs Qi
· Spleen Qi : It strongly enhances the Spleen’s ability to transform food and fluids into Qi and Blood. It is a key herb for patterns of Spleen Qi Deficiency, marked by fatigue, poor appetite, bloating, and loose stools.
· Lungs Qi : It strengthens the Lungs’ function of governing Qi and respiration. It is used for shortness of breath, weak voice, asthma, and spontaneous sweating due to weak Defensive Qi (Wei Qi).
Promote Fluid Production and Relieve Thirst
· Despite its warm nature, ginseng can generate body fluids. This makes it useful for conditions where Qi deficiency has led to a loss of fluids, such as excessive thirst in chronic feverish diseases or diabetes.
Nourish the Heart and Calm the Spirit
· By tonifying the Heart Qi, it helps to calm the mind (Shen). It is used for insomnia, dream-disturbed sleep, palpitations, and poor memory, especially when these are caused by Qi and Blood deficiency failing to nourish the Heart.
Ideal for individuals experiencing :
• Qi, Blood & Yang Deficiency : Chronic fatigue, shortness of breath, dizziness, heart palpitations, low resilience, anxiety, insomnia, pale, anaemia, feel cold and cold limbs.
• Collapse Syndrome : Cold limbs, faint pulse, profuse sweating, and collapse due to severe blood loss or shock.
• Chronic Lung Disease : COPD, chronic asthma, frequent colds due to weak Lung Qi.
• Spleen Deficiency : Appetite or digestive system, chronic diarrhoea.
• Post-illness recovery, surgery or childbirth to regain strength.
• Irregular or menstrual disorder.
• Feeling physically and mentally drained.
• Older adults to preserve vitality and longevity, experiencing weakness and declining energy.
Precautions
Changbai Mountain Ginseng is a “warming” and tonifying herb.
· Excess Heat Conditions : Such as fever, flu, cold, sore throat, inflammation.
· Hypertension : Should be used with caution as it can raise blood pressure in some individuals.
· Pregnancy and young children : Not recommended to use. All herbs are not for infants.
· Medical Conditions : If you have hypertension, auto-immune diseases, diabetes, allergy or are on medication (especially blood thinners), consultation with a doctor is essential.
· It’s best to Avoid taking food and beverage that are contraindications to Qi-tonifying herbs ( Ginseng, Astragalus Root, Radix Codonopsis ) as they are considered to dissipate Qi and reduce the tonic effect of the herbs. Food such as :
· Cooling & Raw Food : raw vegetable & salad, cold drinks & ice-cream, certain fruits such as watermelon, pear & grapefruit, certain seafood such as crab and clams.
· Dampness-Producing Food : Dairy products, sweeteners & sugary food, greasy & fried food, wheat & highly processed grains & food
· Pungent & Dispersing Food & Herbs : Radish, mint & peppermint, hot spices in excess.
· Specific Food-Drug Interactions : Coffee & tea.
or strictly separate intake by several hours.
** Disclaimer: Not a substitute for medicine. Individual results may vary and it is normal if you feel a bit warm after consumption. Keep hydrated with drinking more water after consumption. Always consult a qualified TCM practitioner or healthcare professional before consume any herbal medicine, especially when you have underlying health conditions.
General Dietary Advice While Tonifying Qi
When you are prescribed a course of Qi-tonifying herbs, it is a signal that your body needs focused support. Adhering to these dietary guidelines, even for a short period, will dramatically increase the effectiveness of the herbs and speed up your recovery.
1. Embrace Warm, Cooked Foods : Soups, stews, congee (rice porridge), and well-cooked vegetables are ideal. They are easy to digest and warm the Spleen and Stomach.
2. Eat at Regular Intervals : Don’t skip meals. The Spleen thrives on routine.
3. Chew Thoroughly : This is the first and most crucial step of digestion.
4. Don’t Overeat : Overeating is one of the quickest ways to injure Spleen Qi.
5. Use Spleen-Tonic Foods in Cooking : Incorporate small amounts of sweet potato, pumpkin, carrots, rice, oats, and ginger into your meals.
Common Usage and Preparation
1. Tea / Decoction : Thinly slice or crush, steep in hot water for 5-10 minutes. Can be re-steeped several times. or Simmer on the stove for a richer flavour.
2. Culinary Use : Added to soups and broths for a tonic effect.
3. Powder or Capsules : Ground into a powder and taken with warm water or encapsulated. For convenient daily supplementation in smaller, maintained doses.
4. Tincture : An alcohol-based extract. Steeped in alcohol to extract its properties.
Type of Ginsengs ;
1.Korean Ginseng
TCM Nature : Warm (Yang-tonic and warming effect)
Primary Action : Strongly tonifies Qi, warms Yang (body)
Best For : Severe Yang & Qi Deficiency with cold limbs, coldness, low energy.
Common Use : Chronic fatigue, cold limbs, weak immunity
• Generally for those with a deficient-cold constitution.
2.American Ginseng
TCM Nature : Cool (Yin-tonic and cool effect)
Primary Action : Tonifies Qi, Nourishes Yin, Clears Deficiency Heat, Generates Fluids
Best For : Qi Deficiency with heat signs (e.g., stress, dry mouth, dryness, night sweats, irritability)
Common Use : Stress, fatigue with dryness/irritability
• Generally for those with a deficient-hot constitution.
3.White Ginseng
TCM Nature : Neutral to slightly cool
Primary Action : Tonifies Qi without being overly drying, generates fluids.
Best For : General, but significant, Qi deficiency of the Lungs and Spleen, sensitive to heat.
Common Use : General Qi deficiency, mild fatigue
• Individuals with a heaty constitution or who tend to get easily overheated.
· Choose Korean Ginseng if you are often cold, exhausted, and have a pale complexion. It’s for a “cold” type of fatigue.
· Choose American Ginseng if you are tired but also feel warm, stressed, have a dry mouth, or experience night sweats. It’s for a “hot” or “dehydrated” type of fatigue.
· White Ginseng is a milder, slightly cool form of Korean Ginseng.
Simple Analogy : If your body’s energy system is a car engine
· American Ginseng is like adding coolant and oil to an engine that is overheating from running too long without enough fluids.
· Korean Ginseng is like adding high-octane fuel to a cold engine that’s struggling to start.
· White Ginseng is like a steady, gentle recharge.
