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Ginseng, also known as Huangshen.
Poria (Fuling) and Malin (Iris ensata) serve as its guiding herbs. It is inhibited by Wulingzhi (Trogopterus Dung). It is incompatible with Zaojia (Gleditsia Sinensis Fruit), Heidou (Soybean), Lu Xian (Halide salts), and Ren Sou (Human Urine). It is chemically opposite to Lilu (Veratrum Nigrum). Iron vessels are contraindicated. It interacts with Zishiying (Fluorite).
Sweet, slightly bitter. Raw form is slightly cool; cooked form is slightly warm. Enters the Qi level of the Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian. It can circulate through the Twelve Meridians, greatly tonifying the Original Qi in the Lungs. When Lung Qi is vigorous, the Qi of the other four Zang organs becomes vigorous as well. By tonifying Yang, it generates Yin; by strengthening Earth (Spleen/Stomach), it controls Fire. In cases of sudden collapse of Yang Qi, it can restore it from nothingness. In cases of collapse and scattering of Yin Blood, it can act as a barrier after rupture has occurred. For those with Yang Qi deficiency, it is certainly necessary; for those with Yin Blood deficiency, it is also indispensable. (However, there is a type of True Yin deficiency where pathogenic Fire scorches both interior and exterior, causing restlessness of the Spirit and dryness-heat throughout, representing a true Yin deficiency syndrome. If taken excessively, it will instead assist Heat, which is what is meant by "when Yang is vigorous, Yin diminishes further." In such cases, pure sweet substances that strengthen Water [Yin] should be used.) Combined with Fuling, it drains Kidney Heat. (When the Kidney is deficient, heat arises.) Combined with Danggui (Angelica Sinensis), it invigorates Blood. Paired with Guangpi (Chenpi/Aged Tangerine Peel), it regulates Qi. Paired with Cishi (Magnetite), it treats wheezing and coughing. (Due to Qi deficiency causing floating Qi.) Paired with Sumu (Sappan Wood), it treats wheezing caused by Blood stasis. Paired with Lilu, it induces vomiting to expel phlegm in the chest and diaphragm. Assisted by Shichangpu (Acorus Tatarinowii) and Lianrou (Lotus Seed Cotyledon), it treats muteness after childbirth. Assisted by Yangrou (Mutton), it nourishes the physical form. With Longgu (Fossilized Bone), it secures Essence. When included in potent tonifying formulas, it strengthens Earth to control Ministerial Fire. When included in digestive/resolving formulas, it enhances transport and transformation. When included in major cold-natured drugs, it supports Stomach Qi so appetite does not decrease. When included in releasing-the-exterior drugs, it powerfully drives out pathogens. (Should be used in small amounts to assist.)
Remove the rhizome head (Lu), bake between layers of paper until cooked. For Spleen deficiency with hyperactive Fire, raw use is appropriate. For Spleen deficiency and Lung weakness, cooked use is appropriate. To prevent tonifying Yuan Qi from assisting Fire, add Tiandong (Asparagus Cochinchinensis) to restrain it. To prevent Qi stagnation, add Chuanbei (Fritillaria Cirrhosa Bulb) to regulate it. Adding Pipaye (Loquat Leaf) also treats regurgitation/vomiting. For chronic deficiency-related eye diseases, frequent washing with decoction leads to self-healing. Contraindicated for Lung Heat, exhaustion of Essence/Fluids, flaming Fire, and reckless bleeding due to Blood Heat. (Because it can raise the Yang of the Five Zang organs.) Strange Syndrome: The skin and flesh over the entire body produce sounds like waves, unbearable itching, and scratching causes continuous bleeding, called "Qi Ben" (Qi Rushing).
Use Ginseng, Kuzhang (Glycyrrhiza uralensis/Radix Glycyrrhizae), and Qingyan (Green Salt).
Ginseng Roots (Shen Xu)
Directs downward to drain deficient pathogens.
Ginseng Rhizome Head (Shen Lu)
Induces vomiting to expel phlegm and saliva. For those with weak constitutions, it can replace Gou Ti (Melon Peduncle). Danxi said: Ginseng tonifies Yin within Yang; Shen Lu drains Yang of the Taiyin.
Errors in using Ginseng arise from two sources: symptoms and pulse diagnosis. In cases of Yin deficiency with Fire flaring from within, moistening and filling agents are used to replenish the interior. Progress may be slow over half a year or a year. One might then suspect that Yin-nourishing drugs are too slow-acting, believing that only Qi-tonification can generate Yin, and thus insisting on Ginseng for faster results. Injecting Ginseng into water-nourishing formulas temporarily strengthens Stomach Qi and increases food intake, appearing as if spiritual vigor has returned. Consequently, it is used daily in hopes of rapid effect. Little do they know that Yin deficiency with Fire flaring is not equivalent to Lung Heat. Lung Heat refers to deficiency of Original Yin with pathogenic Fire scorching Metal (Lung). Using Ginseng here risks tonifying Qi and assisting Fire, thereby injuring the Lung further. If Essence and Fluids are exhausted, it is like a dry heaven and parched earth, where streams have dried up; only by nourishing Water to moisten the aridity can one proceed. Advancing Ginseng raises Qi and assists Fire; none who do this escape death by aridity. This error stems from misjudging persistent external symptoms. In epidemic external contraction pathogens flowing into the tunnels, meridians become obstructed by pathogens and blocked. Palpation reveals either emptiness or fine weakness, even minute as hair, floating rapidly at the skin level, vanishing upon slight pressure, nearly collapsing but not yet gone. Physicians mistake this for a collapse syndrome and urgently administer Ginseng to restore Original Qi. This instead allows pathogens to settle internally, with Fire-Toxin郁结 (stagnating) inside and Cold-Jue (cold extremities) manifesting externally. Further administration of Jiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma) and Fu Zi (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata) to boost Ginseng's power assumes that restoring Original Yang will dispel Cold naturally. They regard Ginseng as a holy medicine for saving lives, confident in their pulse diagnosis, ultimately causing exhaustion of Stomach Yin and desiccation of the Five Viscera, accelerating death beyond remedy. This error stems from misjudging the faint and minute pulse. Many have been harmed by erroneous use of Ginseng; here, these two instances are highlighted as a warning for physicians.