Description
Korean Ginseng / Radix Ginseng / Panax Ginseng / 高丽參 (Gāolì Shēn) / 红参 (Hongshēn)
In TCM, Korean Ginseng is known as one of the most, important and potent herbs in the entire materia medica. It is revered as a premier “superior herb” for its powerful life-enhancing and Qi-tonifying properties.
It is the remedy for Qi deficiency, which manifests as severe fatigue, weakness, shortness of breath, pale complexion, and a weak immune system.
Warm in nature. Sweet and slightly bitter in taste. It enters the spleen, lungs, heart and kidney meridians.
Health Benefits
Invigorates and Boosts Qi, Nourishing Yin, strengthens the spleen & lungs, restore vitality, nourishes the blood, improves blood circulation, boosts energy levels, combat fatigue, delays aging, support mental clarity and reduce stress, recovery from prolonged illness, surgery or childbirth, promotes overall well-being and boosts immunity.
· Adaptogen : Helps the body cope with stress and restore balance.
· Qi Tonic : Invigorates and strengthens the body’s vital energy.
1. Revives Core Energy & Combats Fatigue
· Greatly Tonifies Primordial Qi : Revives deep, foundational energy, making it essential for recovery from extreme weakness, prolonged illness, surgery, or childbirth.
· Provides Energy : Offers a strong, immediate sense of vitality without the jittery effects of caffeine.
· Restores Yang Energy : Warms the body and combats feelings of cold due to energy deficiency.
2. Enhances Mental Function & Calms the Spirit
· Improves Mental Clarity & Focus : Enhances cognitive function and alertness.
· Calms the Mind : Helps reduce stress, alleviates insomnia, and calms palpitations related to deficiency.
3. Strengthens Key Organ Systems
· Benefits the Spleen & Lungs :
· Spleen : Improves digestion, appetite, and addresses fatigue from poor nutrient absorption.
· Lungs : Strengthens respiratory function, helps with shortness of breath, and boosts immunity against colds.
· Nourishes the Heart & Blood : Supports healthy blood circulation and cardiovascular function.
4. Promotes Long-Term Vitality & Balance
· Promotes Fluid Generation : Nourishes body fluids to counteract dryness, thirst, and deficiency-related sweating.
· Delays Aging : Valued for its role in promoting longevity and overall vitality.
· Boosts Immunity : Strengthens the body’s resistance to disease.
Ideal for individuals experiencing :
• Qi, Lung Qi, Blood & Yang Deficiency : Chronic fatigue, shortness of breath, dizziness, heart palpitations, low resilience, anxiety, insomnia, pale, anaemia, feel cold and cold limbs.
• Spleen Deficiency : Appetite or digestive system.
• 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
Korean Ginseng is a strong “warming” and tonifying herb. It is not suitable for everyone.
· 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 : It is generally contraindicated during pregnancy, especially in the first trimester. Should consult a TCM practitioner before use. All herbs are not for infants.
· Hormone-sensitive conditions : Ginseng can have estrogen-like effects.
· 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
· Tea / Decoction : Thinly slice or crush, steep in hot water for 5-10 minutes. Can be re-steeped several times.
· Powder or Capsules : For convenient daily supplementation.
· Wine Tincture : An alcohol-based extract. Steeped in alcohol to extract its properties.
· Culinary Use : Added to soups and stews (especially chicken soup) for a tonic effect.
· Chewing Slices : A small slice can be chewed slowly.
The primary difference between Korean Ginseng Root (whole root) and Korean Ginseng Sliced
is simply the physical form and preparation. They are the same plant with the same core properties, same high-quality, but the form you choose has significant implications for use, potency, and convenience. For daily practical use, sliced is fantastic. For tradition, potency, the whole root is superior.
Korean Ginseng Root (Whole Root)
This is the ginseng root in its complete, untrimmed, and uncut form. It often includes the main root body and sometimes smaller attached rootlets.
• Feature Description
Form The entire, intact root. Often forked and shaped like a small human body.
Potency & Freshness Considered the most potent and authentic form. If purchased fresh, it retains all its natural moisture and compounds.
• Primary Uses
– Decoction / Soup (Long Simmering) : The traditional method to make soup.
– Making Extracts/Tinctures : Used as a base for homemade concentrated liquids.
– Immersion in Alcohol : To make ginseng wine.
• Pros
– Maximum Potency : Preserves the root’s integrity.
– Authentic Tradition : Used in traditional Korean and Chinese medicine.
– Versatile for Preparation : You can control the strength of your decoction.
• Cons
– Less Convenient : Requires significant time and effort to prepare (cleaning, slicing, long simmering).
– Storage : Fresh roots have a short shelf life and must be refrigerated.
Korean Ginseng Sliced
These are pre-cut pieces or slivers from the whole ginseng root. They are always sold in a dried form.
• Feature Description
Form Thinly sliced of the root.
Potency & Freshness Potency is high, but the increased surface area means it can lose potency slightly faster than a whole dried root if not stored properly. It’s ready-to-use.
• Primary Uses
– Easy Brewing for Tea : Perfect for steeping in hot water.
– Cooking : Easily added to soups, stews, and other dishes.
– Convenient Decoction : Makes a decoction much faster than a whole root.
– Eating Directly : Some people chew on a soft, steeped slice.
• Pros
– High Convenience : No preparation needed; ready to use immediately.
– Faster Extraction : Water can penetrate the slices easily, releasing active compounds quickly.
– Easy to Dose : Easier to measure out a consistent amount.
• Cons
– Potency Degradation : Due to more surface area exposed to air, it must be stored in an airtight container.
Which One Should You Choose?
Whole Root if :
· You follow traditional preparation methods and don’t mind the time investment.
· You want to make a large batch of concentrated extract or ginseng wine.
· You are seeking the most potent form and have proper storage.
Sliced if :
· Convenience is key. You want to make a quick cup of ginseng tea.
· You plan to use it regularly in cooking (e.g., adding to chicken soup).
· You are new to ginseng and want an easy way to try it.
· You want easy control over your dosage for daily consumption.
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.
