（李时珍曰。草者。天地之所生也。刚柔相交。阴阳相荡。而成根 枝干。叶萼属阳。
花实属阴。由是得气之粹者为良。得气之戾者为毒。故同一物也。而各具五色五性五臭五味
五气之偏。即有相反相畏相恶相使相须之用。炎农尝而辨之。轩岐述而着之。苟不察其精微。
审
\r人参\pq1.bmp\r
性禀甘平。功资脾肺。气纯味浓。补真元而益血生津。助卫充营。安五脏而宁神益智
。须则横行支络。补而下行。芦堪呕吐虚痰。苦能上达。党参则出于西潞。甘平赖以培中
。别直乃产自高丽。温热宜分种野。如补虚而清肺。西洋参甘苦性寒。
欲益气以培脾。东洋参甘温力浓。（人参产辽东吉林高丽等处。其草生山之北。背阳向
阴。故收藏亦不喜见风日。地为
真元之气。起于阴中。上及于肺。人参能从阴中补阳。使脾肺元气皆旺。则脏腑气血均受其
荫庇。自然阳生阴长。为补药中纯浓之品。同干姜附子则补而兼温。同石膏知母则补而兼清
。古人发表攻里诸方。每每加用。均有深意。至于得陈皮则益气。得当归则益血。何脏之虚
。则用何脏之药以引之。即可取效。由是观之。可见人参之性。亦如土之性。土无定位。德
备四隅之象矣。
○参须性味相同。善行脉络。但补力不及耳。下行者亦如人参之从阴中补阳。自下而上
也。又根须皆有向下之意。
○参芦即参之生苗处。性升味苦性寒。主涌吐风痰在胸膈间而又兼虚者。
○党参出山西潞安者为上。其余所出者皆次之。甘平之性。用以培补脾肺元气颇佳。若
虚盛而危急者。亦非所宜。非人参之大力不能也。
○别直为高丽国所产。所出之参。其功用性味与人参相同。但补力稍不及。皆以野生者
为佳
。有一种种出者。土人以子播种。用硫黄等物沃土。则土肥易茂。服之每每腹胀。其性热。
○西洋参出西洋。味苦而甘。性寒色白。其清养之力有余。补助之功不足。大抵肺部虚
热者宜之。
○东洋参出东洋。色淡黄。味甘性温。补脾胃中气。其补力固不及人参别直。而较党参
为优。与西洋参有寒温之各异耳。）
(Li Shizhen said: Herbs are generated by Heaven and Earth. The interaction of rigidity and flexibility, and the oscillation of Yin and Yang, result in the formation of roots, branches, stems, leaves, and calyces. Leaves and calyces belong to Yang, while flowers and fruits belong to Yin. Therefore, those that receive the pure essence of Qi are of good quality, while those that receive perverse Qi become toxic. Thus, even for the same species, each possesses biases in five colors, five natures, five odors, five flavors, and five energies, leading to uses such as mutual antagonism, mutual fear, mutual aversion, mutual enhancement, and mutual synergy. Shennong tasted them to distinguish their properties, and Huangdi and Qibo elaborated on them and wrote about them. If one does not carefully examine their subtleties and scrutinize...
Ginseng Radix (Renshen)
Its nature is sweet and neutral, its function benefits the Spleen and Lung. Its Qi is pure and its flavor rich; it tonifies True Yuan Qi, nourishes Blood, generates fluids, assists Wei Qi, enriches Ying Qi, calms the Five Zang organs, soothes the Spirit, and enhances intelligence. The rootlets move horizontally through the collateral vessels, providing tonification and directing downward. The rhizome can treat vomiting due to deficiency-phlegm, as its bitter flavor directs upward. Codonopsis Radix (Dangshen) originates from Xilu; its sweet and neutral nature relies on it to cultivate the Middle Jiao. Biezhi Ginseng originates from Korea; its nature is warm and hot, and wild versus cultivated varieties must be distinguished. For tonifying deficiency and clearing Lung heat, American Ginseng (Xiyangshen) is sweet, bitter, and cold. To benefit Qi and cultivate the Spleen, Japanese Ginseng (Dongyangshen) is sweet, warm, and potent. (Ginseng grows in Liaodong, Jilin, Korea, etc. The herb grows on the north side of mountains, facing away from the sun towards the shade, so during storage, it also dislikes wind and sunlight. Earthly Qi is the source of True Yuan Qi, originating from within Yin and reaching up to the Lung. Ginseng can tonify Yang from within Yin, causing the Yuan Qi of the Spleen and Lung to flourish, thereby benefiting all Zang-Fu organs and Qi-Blood. Naturally, Yang generates and Yin grows; it is a pure and concentrated tonic. Combined with Dried Ginger (Ganjiang) and Prepared Aconite Root (Fuzi), it tonifies while warming; combined with Gypsum Fibrosum (Shigao) and Anemarrhena Rhizome (Zhimu), it tonifies while clearing. Ancient formulas for releasing the exterior or purging the interior often included it, implying deep significance. When combined with Tangerine Peel (Chenpi), it benefits Qi; when combined with Angelica Sinensis Radix (Danggui), it benefits Blood. For deficiency in any Zang organ, use herbs targeting that organ as guides to achieve efficacy. From this, we see that Ginseng's nature is like that of Earth: Earth has no fixed position but embodies the virtues of the four directions.
○ The rootlets have the same nature and flavor, excelling at circulating through the collaterals, though their tonifying power is less than that of the main root. Their downward action is similar to Ginseng tonifying Yang from Yin, moving from below upwards. Furthermore, roots and rootlets have a downward inclination.
○ The rhizome is where the stem emerges. It has an ascending nature, bitter flavor, and cold property. It primarily induces vomiting to expel wind-phlegm in the chest and diaphragm, especially in cases accompanied by deficiency.
○ Codonopsis Radix from Lu'an, Shanxi, is of the highest grade; others are inferior. Its sweet and neutral nature makes it excellent for cultivating the Yuan Qi of the Spleen and Lung. However, it is not suitable for severe or critical deficiency, which requires the strong power of Ginseng.
○ Biezhi Ginseng is produced in Korea. Its functions, nature, and flavor are the same as Ginseng, but its tonifying power is slightly weaker. Wild specimens are preferred. Some are cultivated by sowing seeds and using sulfur to fertilize the soil, making it fertile and lush. Consumption often causes abdominal distension, and its nature is hot.
○ American Ginseng comes from overseas. It is bitter and sweet, cold in nature, and white in color. It has sufficient power for clearing and nourishing but insufficient power for tonifying support. It is generally suitable for those with deficient-heat in the Lung.
○ Japanese Ginseng comes from the East. It is pale yellow, sweet in flavor, and warm in nature. It tonifies the Middle Qi of the Spleen and Stomach. Its tonifying power is indeed less than that of Ginseng and Biezhi Ginseng, but superior to Codonopsis Radix. It differs from American Ginseng in having warm rather than cold properties.)