Xi Yang Shen - 西洋参 - Radix Panacis Quinquifolii
| Pharmaceutical Latin: | Radix Panacis Quinquifolii / Panacis Quinquefolii Radix |
| Common English: | American Ginseng Root |
Category
Herbs that Tonify the YinProperties
| Taste | Temperature | Entering Meridians | Dosage |
| Sweet Slightly Bitter | Cold (Cool) | Heart Kidney Lung (Stomach) (Spleen) | 2.4-10g cook separately in a double boiler Tincture: 1-4ml 3-6g (Secondary source) |
Actions And Indications
| Actions | Indications/Syndromes |
Generates fluids, Nourishes Yin, Nurtures the Stomach, Tonifies Qi | Qi, Yin and Body Fluid Deficiencies with Heat signs and chronic un-abating fever Aftermath of a febrile disease with weakness, irritability and thirst |
Benefits Lung Yin and clears Fire from the Lungs | Lung Qi and Yin Deficiencies with depleted Fluids and Blazing Deficiency Fire which impairs the the clearing and dispersing functions of the Lungs with long-term wheezing and coughing up of Blood-streaked sputum Cough, hemoptysis and loss of voice due to Lung Yin Deficiency |
Sedates Heat in the Intestines and stops bleeding | Heat in the Intestines with hematochezia due to Yin Deficiency |
Contraindications, Incompatibilities And Herb/Drug Interactions
| CONTRAINDICATIONS |
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| INCOMPATIBILITIES |
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| HERB/DRUG INTERACTIONS |
Major Combinations
| Hb Dendrobii | Gypsum Fibrosum | Rx. Ophiopogonis |
High fever, thirst, diarrhea and dehydration associated with Warm-Heat pathogen disease in which both the Qi and Fluids have been injured. Yang Ming Stage with concurrent Qi and Yin Deficiency. | High fever, thirst, diarrhea and dehydration associated with Warm-Heat pathogen disease in which both the Qi and Fluids have been injured. Yang Ming Stage with concurrent Qi and Yin Deficiency. | Lethargy, a faint pulse and thirst from extreme Fluid loss during a febrile disease. |
| Rx. Asparagi | Arillus Longan | Tub. Ophiopogonis |
Parched mouth and throat due to Yin Deficiency and exhaustion of Fluids. | Steamed for hemafecia and Intestinal Heat. | Wheezing, and coughing up blood streaked sputum from Blazing Fire due to Lung Yin Deficiency. |
| Rx. Rehmanniae | Fol. Mori | Tub. Ophiopogonis |
Chronic cough where Qi and Yin have been depleted with Deficiency Fire marked by a a hacking cough, or a barely productive cough with Blood-streaked sputum. | A dry throat and hemoptysis from Dryness and Heat injuring the Lung Yin. | Qi and Yin Deficiencies due to chronic disorders. |
Rx. Astragali | Rx. Rehmanniae | Rz. Dioscoreae |
Yin and Qi Deficiency. | Yin Deficiency with Heat signs. | Diabetes. |
Rx. Astragali | ||
Thirst. |
Notes
- Although weaker than Ginseng Ren Shen, it is the best choice for nourishing Yin, particularly of the Stomach and Lung.
- It breaks up congealed mucus.
- It eases inflammation of the Lungs.
- It is the main Western herb used in China.
- Both wild and cultivated forms are available; wild is best for Qi, while cultivated works well for Heat.
- Western herbalists rarely use it, and the American Indians made only limited use of it.
- When prepared with Ginger, it augments Qi and supports the normal Qi.
- By bringing Blood and Jing to the brain, it tonifies the Chong Mai and Du Mai.
- It is a primary restorative for the adrenal cortex.
- Ren Shen and Rx. Panacis Quinquifolii Xi Yang Shen both tonify Qi. Xi Yang Shen is sweet, slightly bitter and cooling, and it also tonifies and augments the Blood aspect. It can replace Ren Shen whenever Qi needs tonifying without warming.
- Xi Yang Shen, Rx. Pseudostellariae Tai Zi Shen, Rx. Ginseng Ren Shen, and Rx. Codonopsis Dang Shen all tonify the primal Qi and generate Fluids. Tai Zi Shen is much weaker, needs a larger dose, and tonifies only the Lungs and Spleen. Dang Shen tonifies Spleen Qi but, unlike Ren Shen, not the primal Qi, and it does not generate Fluids as Ren Shen and Tai Zi Shen do. Xi Yang Shen matches Ren Shen in strength but is cooler and generates Fluids more effectively, so it is less suitable when warm tonification is needed. For mild Qi and Yin Deficiencies, Tai Zi Shen may be substituted.
From Class
- Xi Yang Shen (American ginseng): Generates fluids, clears heat, tonifies qi — the herbal equivalent of Ren-12; 15 g. (Yuen)
- Fu zheng therapy (support upright qi): Fu zheng: tonify wei qi in strong patients or postnatal qi in weak ones, then clear fire toxins, then nourish fluids/stomach yin to flush toxins. (Yuen)