（《本经》上品）
【释名】人 （音参。或省作 ）、黄参（《吴普》）、血参（《别录》）、人衔（《本经》）、
鬼盖（《本经》）、神草（《别录》）、土精（《别录》）、地精（《广雅》）、海腴、皱面还丹
（《广雅》）。
时珍曰∶人KT 年深，浸渐长成者，根如人形，有神，故谓之人 、神草。 字，从
，亦浸渐之义。 ，即浸字，后世因字文繁，遂以参星之字代之，从简便尔。然承误日久，
亦不能变矣，惟张仲景《伤寒论》尚作KT 字。《别录》一名人衔衔乃 字之讹也。其成有
阶级，故曰人衔。其草背阳向阴，故曰鬼盖。其在五参，色黄属土，而补脾胃，生阴血，故
有黄参、血参之名。得地之精灵，故有土精、地精之名。《广五行记》云∶隋文帝时，上党
有人宅后每夜闻人呼声，求之不得。去宅一里许，见人参枝叶异常，掘之入地五尺，得人参，
一如人体，四肢毕备，呼声遂绝。观此，则土精之名，尤可证也。《礼斗威仪》云∶下有人
参，上有紫气。《春秋运斗枢》云∶摇光星散而为人参。人君废山渎之利，则摇光不明，人
参不生。观此，则神草之名，又可证矣。
【集解】《别录》曰∶人参生上党山谷及辽东，二月、四月、八月上旬采根，竹刀刮，
曝干，无令见风。根如人形者，有神。
普曰∶或生邯郸，三月生叶小锐，枝黑茎有毛。三月、九月采根。根有手足、面目如人
者神。
弘景曰∶上党在冀州西南，今来者形长而黄，状如防风，多润实而甘。俗乃重百济者，
形细而坚白，气味薄于上党者。次用高丽者，高丽地近辽东，形大而虚软，不及百济，并不
及上党者。其草一茎直上，四、五叶相对生，花紫色。高丽人作《人参赞》云∶三桠五叶，
背阳向阴。欲来求我， 树相寻。 ，音贾，树似桐，甚大，附广则多生，采作甚有法。今
近山亦有，但作之不好。
恭曰∶人参见用多是高丽、百济者，潞州太行紫团山所出者，谓之紫团参。
保升曰∶今沁州、辽州、泽州、箕州、平州、易州、檀州、幽州、妫州、并州并出人参，
盖其山皆与太行连亘相接故也。
曰∶新罗国所产者，有手足，状如人形，长尺余，以杉木夹定，红丝缠饰之。又沙州
参，短小，不堪用。
颂曰∶今河东诸州及泰山皆有之，又有河北榷场及闽中来者，名新罗人参，俱不及上党
者佳。春生苗，多于深山背阴，近 漆下湿润处。初生小者三、四寸许，一桠五叶；四、五
年后生两桠五叶，未有花茎；至十年后生三桠；年深者生四桠，各五叶。中心生一茎，俗名
百尺杵。三月、四月有花，细小如粟，蕊如丝，紫白色。秋后结子，或七、八枚，如大豆，
生青熟红，自落。根如人形者，神。泰山出者，叶干青，根白，殊别。江淮间出一种土人参，
苗长一、二尺，叶如匙而小，与桔梗相似，相对生，生五、七节。根亦如桔梗而柔，味极甘
美。秋生紫花，又带青色。春秋采根，土人或用之。相传欲试上党参，但使二人同走，一含
人参，一空口，度走三、五里许，其不含人参者，必大喘；含者气息自如，其人参乃真也。
宗 曰∶上党者，根颇纤长，根下垂，有及一尺余者，或十歧者，其价与银等，稍为难
得。土人得一窠，则置板上，以新彩绒饰之。
嘉谟曰∶紫团参，紫大稍扁；百济参，白坚且圆，名白条参，俗名羊角参；辽东参，黄
润纤长有须，俗名黄参，独胜；高丽参，近紫体虚；新罗参，亚黄味薄。肖人形者神；其类
鸡腿者，力洪。
时珍曰∶上党，今潞州也。民以人参为地方害，不复采取。今所用者皆是辽参。其高丽、
百济、新罗三国，今皆属于朝鲜矣。其参犹来中国互市。亦可收子，于十月下种，如种菜法。
秋冬采者，坚实；春夏采者，虚软，非地产有虚实也。辽参，连皮者，黄润色如防风；去皮
者，坚白如粉；伪者，皆以沙参、荠 、桔梗采根造作乱之。沙参，体虚无心而味淡；荠 ，
体虚无心；桔梗，体坚有心而味苦；人参，体实有心而味甘，微带苦，自有余味，俗名金井
玉阑也。其似人形者，谓之孩儿参，尤多赝伪。宋苏颂《图经本草》所绘潞州者，三桠五叶
，真人参也；其滁州者，乃沙参之苗叶；沁州、兖州者，皆荠 之苗叶。其所云江淮土人参
者，亦荠 也。并失之详审。今潞州者尚不可得，则他处者尤不足信矣。近又有薄夫以人参
先浸取汁自啜，乃晒干复售，谓之汤参，全不任用，不可不察。考月池翁讳言闻，字子郁，
衔太医吏目。尝着《人参传》上、下卷甚详，不能备录，亦略节要语于下条云耳。
【修治】弘景曰∶人参易蛀 ，唯纳新器中密封，可经年不坏。
炳曰∶人参频见风日则易蛀，惟用盛过麻油瓦罐，泡净焙干。入华阴细辛与参相间收之，
密封，可留经年。一法∶用淋过灶灰，晒干罐收亦可。李言闻曰∶人参生时背阳，故不喜见
风日。凡生用宜 咀；熟用，宜隔纸焙之，或醇酒润透 咀、焙熟用，并忌铁器。
根
【气味】甘，微寒，无毒。《别录》曰∶微温。普曰∶神农∶小寒；桐君、雷公∶苦；
黄帝、岐伯∶甘，无毒。
元素曰∶性温，味甘、微苦，气味俱薄，浮而升，阳中之阳也。又曰∶阳中微阴。
之才曰∶茯苓、马蔺为之使，恶溲疏、卤碱，反藜芦。一云∶畏五灵脂，恶皂荚、黑豆，
动紫石英。
元素曰∶人参得升麻引用，补上焦之元气，泻肺中之火；得茯苓引用，补下焦之元气，
泻肾中之火。得麦门冬则生脉；得干姜，则补气。
杲曰∶得黄 、甘草，乃甘温除大热，泻阴火，补元气，又为疮家圣药。
震亨曰∶人参入手太阴。与藜芦相反，服参一两，入黎芦一钱，其功尽废也。
言闻曰∶东垣李氏理脾胃，泻阴火，交泰丸内用人参、皂荚，是恶而不恶也。古方疗月
闭四物汤加人参、五灵脂，是畏而不畏也。又疗痰在胸膈，以人参、黎芦同用而取涌越，是
激其怒性也。此皆精微妙奥，非达权衡者不能知。
【主治】补五脏，安精神，定魂魄，止惊悸，除邪气，明目开心益智。久服轻身延年（《本
经》）。疗肠胃中冷，心腹鼓痛，胸胁逆满，霍乱吐逆，调中，止消渴，通血脉，破坚积，
令人不忘（《别录》）。主五劳七伤，虚损痰弱，止呕哕，补五脏六腑，保中守神。消胸中痰，
治肺痿及痫疾，冷气逆上，伤寒不下食，凡虚而多梦纷纭者加之（甄权）。止烦躁，变酸水
（李
）。消食开胃，调中治气，杀金石药毒（大明）。治肺胃阳气不足，肺气虚促，短气少气，
补中缓中，泻心、肺、脾、胃中火邪，止渴生津液（元素）。治男妇一切虚证，发热自汗，
眩晕头痛，反胃吐食， 疟，滑泻久痢，小便频数淋沥，劳倦内伤，中风中暑，痿痹，吐血
、嗽血、下血，血淋、血崩，胎前、产后诸病（时珍）。
【发明】弘景曰∶人参为药切要，与甘草同功。
杲曰∶人参甘温，能补肺中元气，肺气旺则四脏之气皆旺，精自生而形自盛，肺主诸气
故也。张仲景云∶病患汗后身热、亡血、脉沉迟者，下痢身凉、脉微、血虚者，并加人参。
古人血脱者益气，盖血不自生，须得生阳气之药乃生，阳生则阴长，血乃旺也。若单用补血
药，血无由而生矣。《素问》言∶无阳则阴无以生，无阴则阳无以化。故补气须用人参，血
虚者亦须用之。本草十剂云∶补可去弱，人参、羊肉之属是也。盖人参补气，羊肉补形，形
气者，有无之象也。
好古曰∶洁古老人言∶以沙参代人参，取其味甘也。然人参补五脏之阳，沙参补五脏之
阴，安得无异？虽云补五脏，亦须各用本脏药相佐使引之。
言闻曰∶人参生用气凉，熟用气温；味甘补阳，微苦补阴。气主生物，本呼天；味主成
物，本呼地。气味生成，阴阳之造化也。凉者，高秋清肃之气，天之阴也，其性降；温者，
阳春生发之气，天之阳也，其性升。甘者，湿土化成之味，地之阳也，其性浮；微苦者，火
土相生之味，地之阴也，其性沉。人参气味俱薄。气之薄者，生降熟升；味之薄者，生升熟
降。如土虚火旺之病，则宜生参，凉薄之气，以泻火而补土，是纯用其气也；脾虚肺怯之病，
则宜熟参，甘温之味，以补土而生金，是纯用其味也。东垣以相火乘脾，身热而烦，气高而
喘，头痛而渴，脉洪而大者，用黄柏佐人参。孙真人治夏月热伤元气，人汗大泄，欲成痿厥，
用生脉散，以泻热火而救金水。君以人参之甘寒，泻火而补元气；臣以麦门冬之苦甘寒，清
金而滋水源，佐以五味子之酸温，生肾精而收耗气。此皆补天元之真气，非补热火也。白飞
霞云∶人参炼膏服，回元气于无何有之乡。凡病后气虚及肺虚嗽者，并宜之。若气虚有火者，
合天门冬膏对服之。
【正误】 曰∶夏月少使人参，发心 之患。
好古曰∶人参甘温，补肺之阳，泄肺之阴。肺受寒邪，宜此补之；肺受火邪，则反伤肺，
宜以沙参代之。
王纶曰∶凡酒色过度，损伤肺肾真阴，阴虚火动，劳嗽吐血、咳血等证，勿用之。盖人
参入手太阴能补火，故肺受火邪者忌之。若误服参、 甘温之剂，则病日增；服之过多，则
死不可治。盖甘温助气，气属阳，阳旺则阴愈消；惟宜苦甘寒之药，生血降火。世人不识，
往往服参、 为补，而死者多矣。
言闻曰∶孙真人云∶夏月服生脉散、肾沥汤三剂，则百病不生。李东垣亦言生脉散、清
暑益气汤，乃三伏泻火益金之圣药，而雷 反谓发心 之患非矣。 乃脐旁积气，非心病也。
人参能养正破坚积，岂有发 之理？观张仲景治腹中寒气上冲，有头足，上下痛不可触近，
呕不能食者，用大建中汤，可知矣。又海藏王好古言人参补阳泄阴，肺寒宜用，肺热不宜用。
节斋王纶因而和之，谓参、 能补肺火，阴虚火动失血诸病，多服必死。二家之说皆偏矣。
夫人参能补元阳，生阴血，而泻阴火，东垣李氏之说也明矣。仲景张氏言∶亡血血虚者，并
加人参；又言∶肺寒者，去人参，加干姜，无令气壅。丹溪朱氏亦言虚火可补，参、 之属；
实火可泻，芩、连之属。二家不察三氏之精微，而谓人参补火，谬哉。夫火与元气不两立，
元气胜则邪火退。人参既补元气而又补邪火，是反复之小人矣，何以与甘草、苓、术谓之四
君子耶？虽然，三家之言不可尽废也。惟其语有滞，故守之者，泥而执一，遂视人参加蛇蝎，
则不可也。凡人面白、面黄、面青黧悴者，皆脾、肺、肾气不足，可用也；面赤、面黑者，
气壮神强，不可用也。脉之浮而芤、濡、虚、大、迟缓无力，沉而迟、涩、弱、细、结、代
无力者，皆虚而不足，可用也；若弦长紧实、滑数有力者，皆火郁内实，不可用也。洁古谓
喘嗽勿用者，痰实气壅之喘也；若肾虚气短喘促者，必用也。仲景谓肺寒而咳勿用者，寒束
热邪壅郁在肺之咳也；若自汗恶寒而咳者，必用也。东垣谓久病郁热在肺勿用者，乃火郁于
内宜发不宜补也；若肺虚火旺，气短自汗者，必用也。丹溪言诸痛不可骤用者，乃邪气方锐，
宜散不宜补也；若里虚吐利及久病胃弱虚痛喜按者，必用也。节斋谓阴虚火旺勿用者，乃血
虚火亢能食，脉弦而数，凉之则伤胃，温之则伤肺，不受补者也。若自汗气短，肢寒脉虚者，
必用也。如此详审，则人参之可用不可用，思过半矣。机曰∶节斋、王纶之说，本于海藏王
好古，但纶又过于矫激。丹溪言虚火可补，须用参、 。又云阴虚潮热，喘嗽吐血，盗汗等
证，四物加人参、黄柏、知母。又云好色之人，肺肾受伤，咳嗽不愈，琼玉膏主之。又云肺
肾虚极者，独参膏主之。是知阴虚劳瘵之证，未尝不用人参也。节斋，私淑丹溪者也，而乃
相反如此。斯言一出，印定后人眼目。凡遇前证，不问病之宜用不宜，辄举以借口。致使良
工掣肘，惟求免夫病家之怨。病家亦以此说横之胸中，甘受苦寒，虽至上呕下泄，去死不远，
亦不悟也。古今治劳莫过于葛可久，其独参汤、保真汤，何尝废人参而不用耶？节斋之说，
诚未之深思也。杨起曰∶人参功载本草，人所共知。近因病者吝财薄医，医复算本惜费，不
肯用参疗病，以致轻者至重，重者至危。然有肺寒、肺热、中满、血虚四证，只宜散寒、消
热、消胀、补营，不用人参，其说近是；殊不知各加人参在内，护持元气，力助群药，其功
更捷。若曰气无补法，则谬矣。古方治肺寒以温肺汤，肺热以清肺汤，中满以分消汤，血虚
以养营汤，皆有人参在焉。所谓邪之所辏，其气必虚。又曰养正邪自除，阳旺则生阴血，贵
在配合得宜尔。庸医每谓人参不可轻用，诚哉庸也。好生君子，不可轻命薄医，医亦不可计
利不用。书此奉勉，幸勿曰迂。
【附方】旧七，新六十。
人参膏∶用人参十两细切，以活水二十盏浸透，入银石器内，桑柴火缓缓煎取十盏，滤
[Background Information]
Book: Compendium of Materia Medica (Bencao Gangmu)
Author: Li Shizhen
Dynasty: Ming Dynasty, 6th Year of Wanli
Chapter: Ginseng (1/2)
Category: Herbal Medicine
(Classified as Superior Grade in the *Shennong Bencao Jing*)
【Names】Renshen (Ginseng Root) (pronounced "shen". Sometimes abbreviated as " "; Huangshen [Yellow Ginseng] (from *Wu Pu Bencao*); Xueshen [Blood Ginseng] (from *Mingyi Bielu*); Renxian [Human Bite] (from *Shennong Bencao Jing*); Guigai [Ghost Cover] (from *Shennong Bencao Jing*); Shencao [Divine Herb] (from *Mingyi Bielu*); Tujing [Earth Essence] (from *Mingyi Bielu*); Dijing [Ground Essence] (from *Guangya*); Haiyu; Zhoumian Handan [Rejuvenating Pill for Wrinkled Face] (from *Guangya*).
Li Shizhen states: Renshen (Ginseng Root), after growing for a long time, gradually matures. Its root resembles a human form and possesses spiritual properties, hence it is called "Renshen" (Human Ginseng) or "Shencao" (Divine Herb). The character " ", from "厶", also implies gradual accumulation. "厶" is the character for "jin" (soak/accumulate). Later generations replaced it with the character "Can" (representing the Shen star) due to its complexity, for the sake of simplicity. However, this error has persisted for a long time and cannot be changed. Only Zhang Zhongjing's *Shanghan Lun* (Treatise on Cold Damage Diseases) still uses the character "厶". *Mingyi Bielu* also calls it "Renxian"; "Xian" is an erroneous form of "厶". It grows in stages, hence the name "Renxian". This herb faces away from the sun towards the shade, hence the name "Guigai". Among the five types of Shen herbs, its color is yellow, corresponding to Earth, and it tonifies the Spleen and Stomach and generates Yin blood, hence the names "Huangshen" and "Xueshen". It obtains the spiritual essence of the earth, hence the names "Tujing" and "Dijing". *Guang Wuxing Ji* records: During the reign of Emperor Wen of Sui, someone in Shangdang heard human voices calling out every night behind their house but could not find the source. About one li away from the house, they saw abnormal ginseng foliage and roots. Digging five chi deep, they unearthed a ginseng root that completely resembled a human body, with all four limbs intact, and the calling sound ceased. Observing this, the name "Tujing" (Earth Essence) is particularly corroborated. *Lidou Wei Yi* states: Where there is Renshen underground, there is purple qi above. *Chunqiu Yundou Shu* states: The Yao Guang star scatters to become Renshen. If the ruler neglects the benefits of mountains and rivers, the Yao Guang star becomes dim, and Renshen does not grow. Observing these records, the name "Shencao" (Divine Herb) is further corroborated.
【Collection and Description】 *Mingyi Bielu* states: Renshen grows in the valleys of Shangdang and Liaodong. The roots should be harvested in early February, April, and August. Scrape them with a bamboo knife and dry them in the sun, avoiding exposure to wind. Roots resembling human forms are considered most potent.
Pu states: Some grow in Handan. In March, small, sharp leaves emerge; branches are black, and stems are hairy. Roots are harvested in March and September. Roots with hands, feet, face, and eyes resembling humans are considered divine.
Tao Hongjing states: Shangdang is southwest of Jizhou. The Renshen currently available is long and yellow, resembling Fangfeng (Saposhnikoviae Radix), moist, solid, and sweet. The common people value Baekje Renshen more, which is thin, hard, white, and has a weaker flavor than Shangdang Renshen. Next is Goryeo Renshen. Goryeo is near Liaodong; its roots are large but hollow and soft, inferior to Baekje and far inferior to Shangdang. The herb has a single straight stem, with four or five pairs of opposite leaves, and purple flowers. Goryeo people wrote a "Praise of Renshen": "Three forks, five leaves, facing away from the sun towards the shade. If you wish to find me, seek me by the Jia tree." "Jia" (pronounced "jia") refers to a tree like Paulownia, very large, often growing attached to broad trees, where it thrives. Harvesting methods are precise. Similar herbs grow near mountains now, but their preparation is poor.
Su Gong states: Most Renshen used today comes from Goryeo and Baekje. The variety from Zituan Mountain in Taihang, Luzhou, is called Zituan Shen.
Bao Sheng states: Renshen is produced in Qinzhou, Liaozhou, Zezhou, Jizhou, Pingzhou, Yizhou, Tanzhou, Youzhou, Guizhou, and Bingzhou, likely because these mountains are contiguous with Taihang.
Zang states: Renshen produced in Silla has hands and feet, resembling a human shape, over one chi long, fixed with cedar wood and decorated with red silk. There is also Shazhou Shen, which is short and small and unsuitable for use.
Song states: It is found in various prefectures of Hedong and Mount Tai. Also imported via Hebei trading posts and Fujian, named Silla Renshen, none are as good as Shangdang Renshen. Sprouts emerge in spring, mostly in deep mountains in shady, moist areas near Lacquer trees. Young plants are about three to four cun tall, with one fork and five leaves; after four or five years, two forks with five leaves appear, without flower stalks; after ten years, three forks appear; older plants have four forks, each with five leaves. A single stem emerges from the center, commonly called "Baichi Chu" (Hundred-Chi Pestle). Flowers appear in March and April, small like millet seeds, with filaments, purple-white in color. Seeds form after autumn, seven or eight per cluster, like soybeans, green when fresh, red when ripe, falling naturally. Roots resembling humans are considered divine. Those from Mount Tai have dry green leaves and white roots, distinct from others. In the Jianghuai region, a local "Earth Renshen" grows. The sprout is one to two chi long, leaves spoon-shaped but smaller, similar to Jiegeng (Platycodonis Radix), opposite, with five to seven nodes. The root is also like Jiegeng but softer, extremely sweet. Purple flowers appear in autumn, tinged with green. Roots are harvested in spring and autumn, sometimes used by locals. To test true Shangdang Renshen, let two people walk together; one holds Renshen in their mouth, the other does nothing. After walking three to five li, the one without Renshen will pant heavily, while the one with it breathes normally. This confirms authenticity.
Zong states: Shangdang Renshen has slender, long roots hanging down, sometimes over one chi, or with ten forks. Its price equals silver, making it rare. Locals place a found clump on a board and decorate it with new colored velvet.
Jiamo states: Zituan Shen is purplish and slightly flat; Baekje Shen is white, hard, and round, named Baitiao Shen, commonly Yangjiao Shen; Liaodong Shen is yellow, moist, slender, long, with hairs, commonly Huangshen, unique in superiority; Goryeo Shen is purplish and hollow; Silla Shen is yellowish and weak in flavor. Those resembling humans are divine; those resembling chicken legs have strong potency.
Li Shizhen states: Shangdang is modern Luzhou. People consider Renshen a local burden and no longer harvest it. What is used today is all Liaoshen. Goryeo, Baekje, and Silla now belong to Joseon. These herbs still come to China for trade. Seeds can be collected and sown in late October, like vegetables. Autumn/winter harvests are solid; spring/summer harvests are hollow and soft, not due to land quality but harvesting time. Liaoshen with skin is yellow and moist like Fangfeng; peeled, it is hard and white like powder. Fakes are made from Shashen (Adenophorae Radix), Qini (Trichosanthis Kirilowii Radix), and Jiegeng. Shashen is hollow, heartless, and tasteless; Qini is hollow and heartless; Jiegeng is solid, has a pith, and tastes bitter; Renshen is solid, has a pith, tastes sweet with slight bitterness, leaving a lingering aftertaste, commonly called "Jinjing Yulan" (Golden Well Jade Railing). Those resembling humans are called "Haier Shen" (Child Ginseng), often counterfeit. Su Song's *Tujing Bencao* depicts Shangdang Renshen with three forks and five leaves as genuine; the Chuzhou variety is Saposhnikovia seedling leaves; Qinzhou and Yanzhou varieties are Trichosanthes seedling leaves. The "Jianghuai Earth Renshen" mentioned is also Trichosanthes. All were imprecise. Today, even Luzhou Renshen is unavailable, so others are unreliable. Recently, dishonest merchants soak Renshen, drink the juice, dry the residue, and sell it as "Tang Shen" (Soup Ginseng), which is useless. Care must be taken. Mr. Yan Wen, courtesy name Ziyu, served as Imperial Physician Clerk. He wrote *Zhuan of Renshen* in two volumes, very detailed. I cannot record it all but excerpt key points below.
【Processing】 Hongjing states: Renshen is prone to insect damage. Seal it tightly in a new container to preserve it for a year.
Bing states: Frequent exposure to wind and sun causes Renshen to rot. Use a tile jar previously holding sesame oil, wash, dry, and store with Huayin Xixin (Asari Radix et Rhizoma) alternating layers, sealed, to last a year. Another method: Store in a jar with dried ash from cooking stoves. Yanwen states: Renshen grows facing away from the sun, thus disliking wind and sun. For raw use, chew directly; for cooked use, bake through paper, or moisten with pure wine, chew, and bake. Avoid iron vessels.
Root
【Flavor and Properties】 Sweet, slightly cold, non-toxic. *Mingyi Bielu* states: Slightly warm. Pu states: Shenneng says: Slightly cold; Tongjun and Leigong say: Bitter; Huangdi and Qibo say: Sweet, non-toxic.
Yuansu states: Warm nature, sweet and slightly bitter flavor. Qi and flavor are both thin, floating and ascending, Yang within Yang. Also: Slight Yin within Yang.
Zhicai states: Fu Ling (Poria) and Malin (Iris ensata) act as guides. Dislikes Soushu (Clematis chinensis) and Lu Jian (Halite). Incompatible with Lulu (Veratrum nigrum). Some say: Feared by Wulingzhi (Trogopteri Dung), dislikes Zhao Jia (Gleditsiae Sinensis Fructus) and Hei Dou (Sojae Semen Nigrum), agitates Zhi Shiyin (Fluorite).
Yuansu states: With Shengma (Cimicifugae Rhizoma), it tonifies Upper Jiao Yuan Qi and drains Lung fire. With Fu Ling, it tonifies Lower Jiao Yuan Qi and drains Kidney fire. With Maidong (Ophiopogonis Radix), it generates Mai (Pulse). With Ganjiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma), it tonifies Qi.
Guo states: With Huangqi (Astragali Radix) and Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma), it uses sweet-warm to remove great heat, drain Yin fire, and tonify Yuan Qi. It is the holy medicine for wound patients.
Zhenheng states: Renshen enters the Hand Taiyin (Lung) meridian. Incompatible with Lulu. Taking one liang of Renshen and one qian of Lulu cancels all efficacy.
Yanwen states: Dongyuan Li's method of regulating Spleen/Stomach and draining Yin fire uses Renshen and Zhao Jia in Jiaotai Wan; this shows aversion without conflict. Ancient formulas for amenorrhea add Renshen and Wulingzhi to Siwu Tang; this shows fear without conflict. For phlegm in chest/diaphragm, Renshen and Lulu are used together to induce vomiting; this provokes its angry nature. These are subtle and profound, known only to those who understand balance.
【Indications】 Tonifies Five Zang organs, calms Spirit, stabilizes Hun and Po, stops palpitations, expels evil Qi, brightens eyes, opens mind, enhances wisdom. Long-term use lightens the body and prolongs life (*Shennong Bencao Jing*). Treats cold in intestines/stomach, drum-like pain in heart/abdomen, fullness/reversal in chest/hypochondrium, cholera with vomiting/regurgitation, regulates middle, stops thirst, unblocks blood vessels, breaks stagnation, prevents forgetfulness (*Mingyi Bielu*). Mainly treats five labors and seven injuries, deficiency weakness, stops retching, tonifies Five Zang and Six Fu organs, protects middle and guards Spirit. Dissolves chest phlegm, treats Fei Wei (Lung Atrophy) and epilepsy, reverses cold Qi rising, treats cold damage with inability to eat, adds to cases of deficiency with chaotic dreams (Zhen Quan). Stops irritability, transforms sour water (Li). Promotes digestion, opens appetite, regulates middle and Qi, detoxifies metal/mineral medicines (Daming). Treats insufficiency of Lung/Stomach Yang, deficient Lung Qi causing shortness of breath, tonifies middle and moderates, drains Heart/Lung/Spleen/Stomach fire, stops thirst and generates fluids (Yuansu). Treats all deficiency syndromes in men and women, fever with spontaneous sweating, vertigo/headache, regurgitation/vomiting, malaria, slippery diarrhea/chronic dysentery, frequent urination/dysuria, fatigue/internal injury, stroke/sunstroke, flaccidity/numbness, hematemesis, hemoptysis, hematochezia, bloody strangury, metrorrhagia/metrostaxis, prenatal/postnatal diseases (Li Shizhen).
【Elucidation】 Hongjing states: Renshen is crucial among medicines, functioning similarly to Gancao (Licorice).
Guo states: Renshen is sweet and warm, tonifying Lung Yuan Qi. When Lung Qi is robust, Qi of the Four Zang organs prospers, essence generates, and form strengthens, as Lung governs all Qi. Zhang Zhongjing said: For patients with fever after sweating, blood loss, and deep-slow pulse, or dysentery with cool body, faint pulse, and blood deficiency, add Renshen. Ancients said when blood is lost, tonify Qi. Blood does not generate itself; it requires Qi-generating herbs. When Yang grows, Yin grows, and blood flourishes. Using only blood-tonifying herbs fails to generate blood. *Suwen* states: Without Yang, Yin cannot generate; without Yin, Yang cannot transform. Thus, for tonifying Qi, use Renshen; for blood deficiency, also use it. *Bencao Ten Formulas* states: Tonification removes weakness; Renshen and mutton are examples. Renshen tonifies Qi; mutton tonifies form. Form and Qi represent existence and non-existence.
Haogu states: Jiegu said: Substitute Renshen with Shashen for its sweet taste. But Renshen tonifies Yang of Five Zang; Shashen tonifies Yin of Five Zang. How can they be the same? Though both claim to tonify Five Zang, each must use organ-specific guiding herbs.
Yanwen states: Raw Renshen has cool Qi; cooked has warm Qi. Sweet flavor tonifies Yang; slight bitterness tonifies Yin. Qi governs generation, calling to Heaven; Flavor governs formation, calling to Earth. Qi and Flavor are the creation of Yin and Yang. Coolness is the clear air of high autumn, Heaven's Yin, descending nature. Warmth is the generating air of spring, Heaven's Yang, ascending nature. Sweetness is the taste of wet earth transformation, Earth's Yang, floating nature. Slight bitterness is the taste of Fire-Earth generation, Earth's Yin, sinking nature. Renshen's Qi and Flavor are both thin. Thin Qi: raw descends, cooked ascends. Thin Flavor: raw ascends, cooked descends. For Spleen deficiency with Fire hyperactivity, use raw Renshen; its cool, thin Qi drains fire and tonifies Earth (using Qi purely). For Spleen deficiency with Lung weakness, use cooked Renshen; its sweet-warm flavor tonifies Earth and generates Metal (using Flavor purely). Dongyuan used Huangbo (Phellodendri Cortex) assisting Renshen for Minister Fire invading Spleen, causing fever, restlessness, high Qi, asthma, headache, thirst, and surging-large pulse. Sun Simiao treated summer heat damaging Yuan Qi, profuse sweating, and impending flaccidity/collapse with Shengmai San to drain fire and save Metal/Water. Monarch: Renshen (sweet-cold) drains fire and tonifies Yuan Qi; Minister: Maidong (bitter-sweet-cold) clears Metal and nourishes Water source; Assistant: Wuweizi (sour-warm) generates Kidney essence and consolidates耗 Qi. These tonify Heavenly Yuan True Qi, not hot fire. Baixia stated: Ginseng paste restores Yuan Qi to the realm of nothingness. Suitable for post-illness Qi deficiency and Lung deficiency cough. For Qi deficiency with fire, take with Tianmendong paste.
【Correction of Errors】 Cangqi stated: Use little Renshen in summer to avoid heart disease.
Haogu stated: Renshen is sweet-warm, tonifying Lung Yang and draining Lung Yin. Suitable for Lung cold; contraindicated for Lung fire, substitute with Shashen.
Lun stated: For excessive alcohol/sex damaging Lung/Kidney True Yin, with Yin deficiency fire hyperactivity, chronic cough, hematemesis/hemoptysis, do not use. Renshen enters Hand Taiyin and can tonify fire; thus contraindicated for Lung fire. Misusing sweet-warm Renshen/Astragalus increases illness; overdose is fatal. Sweet-warm aids Qi (Yang); Yang prosperity consumes Yin. Only bitter-sweet-cold herbs generate blood and drain fire. People mistake Renshen/Astragalus for tonics, leading to many deaths.
Yanwen stated: Sun Simiao said: Three doses of Shengmai San and Shenli Tang in summer prevent hundred diseases. Dongyuan also praised Shengmai San and Qingshu Yiqi Tang as holy medicines for draining fire and benefiting Metal in dog days. Lei Xiao wrongly claimed it causes heart disease. " " refers to gas accumulation near the umbilicus, not heart disease. Renshen nourishes righteousness and breaks stagnation; how could it cause " "? Zhang Zhongjing used Dajianzhong Tang for abdominal cold Qi rushing up, forming head/feet, unbearable pain, vomiting, inability to eat. Haogu Wang said Renshen tonifies Yang and drains Yin; suitable for Lung cold, not Lung heat. Jiezhai Wang Lun agreed, claiming Renshen/Astragalus tonifies Lung fire, causing death in Yin deficiency bleeding. Both views are biased. Clearly, Dongyuan Li stated Renshen tonifies Yuan Yang, generates Yin blood, and drains Yin fire. Zhang Zhongjing added Renshen for blood loss/deficiency; removed it for Lung cold, adding Ganjiang to prevent Qi stagnation. Danxi Zhu said deficiency fire can be tonified with Renshen/Astragalus; excess fire drained with Huangqin/Huanglian. These two ignored the subtleties of the three schools, wrongly claiming Renshen tonifies fire. Fire and Yuan Qi cannot coexist; if Yuan Qi wins, evil fire retreats. If Renshen tonifies both Yuan Qi and evil fire, it would be a treacherous person, why is it grouped with Gancao, Fuling, Baizhu as the Four Gentlemen? Nevertheless, the three schools' words cannot be entirely discarded. Their language was rigid, so followers became inflexible, viewing Renshen as venom. This is wrong. Pale/yellow/dark faces indicate Spleen/Lung/Kidney Qi deficiency; usable. Red/black faces indicate strong Qi/Spirit; unusable. Floating/empty/soggy/deficient/large/slow/weak pulses (deep or superficial) indicate deficiency; usable. String-tight-solid/slippery-numerous-forceful pulses indicate internal fire/excess; unusable. Jiegu said avoid for asthma/cough refers to phlegm-excess Qi-stagnation asthma; for Kidney deficiency shortness of breath, must use. Zhongjing said avoid Lung cold cough refers to cold binding heat stagnation in Lung; for spontaneous sweating/aversion to cold cough, must use. Dongyuan said avoid prolonged depression-heat in Lung refers to internal fire stagnation needing dispersal, not tonification; for Lung deficiency fire hyperactivity/shortness of breath/spontaneous sweating, must use. Danxi said avoid sudden use for pain refers to acute pathogen needing dispersal, not tonification; for interior deficiency vomiting/diarrhea or chronic stomach weakness/pain preferring pressure, must use. Jiezhai said avoid Yin deficiency fire hyperactivity refers to blood deficiency fire hyperactivity with good appetite, string-numerous pulse, unable to tolerate cooling (hurts Stomach) or warming (hurts Lung). For spontaneous sweating/shortness of breath/cold limbs/deficient pulse, must use. Such careful examination clarifies Renshen's indications. Ji stated: Jiezhai and Wang Lun followed Haogu Wang, but Lun was overly radical. Danxi said tonify deficiency fire with Renshen/Astragalus; treat Yin deficiency tidal fever/cough/hemoptysis/night sweats with Siwu Tang plus Renshen, Huangbo, Zhimu. For lust-damaged Lung/Kidney cough, use Qiongyu Gao. For extreme Lung/Kidney deficiency, use Dushen Gao. Thus, Yin deficiency consumption always uses Renshen. Jiezhai admired Danxi but contradicted him. This statement misled later generations. Doctors excuse themselves using this, causing good physicians to hesitate, fearing patient blame. Patients endure bitter-cold herbs until vomiting/diarrhea near death, unaware. Ge Kejiu treated consumption best with Dushen Tang and Baozhen Tang, never abandoning Renshen. Jiezhai did not think deeply. Yang Qi stated: Renshen's merits are well-known. Recently, stingy patients and cost-conscious doctors avoid Renshen, worsening conditions. While Lung cold/heat, fullness, and blood deficiency generally require dispersing/clearing/bloating-reducing/nourishing without Renshen, adding Renshen protects Yuan Qi and assists other herbs, speeding recovery. Saying "Qi has no tonification method" is absurd. Ancient formulas for Lung cold (Wenfei Tang), Lung heat (Qingfei Tang), fullness (Fenxiao Tang), blood deficiency (Yangying Tang) all contain Renshen. Where evil gathers, Qi is deficient. Nourish righteousness, and evil removes. Yang prosperity generates Yin blood. Proper combination is key. Quack doctors say Renshen should not be used lightly; truly quackish. Benevolent gentlemen should not undervalue lives or doctors; doctors should not refuse use for profit. Written to encourage, hope not dismissed as pedantic.
【Attached Formulas】 Seven old, sixty new.
Renshen Gao (Ginseng Paste): Cut ten liang of Renshen finely, soak in twenty bowls of living water, decoct slowly in silver or earthenware over mulberry wood fire to extract ten bowls, filter