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Taste and Nature: Sweet, slightly cold, non-toxic. It primarily tonifies the five Zang organs, calms the spirit (Shen), stabilizes the ethereal soul (Hun) and corporeal soul (Po), stops palpitations and fright, eliminates pathogenic factors, brightens the eyes, opens the mind, and enhances wisdom. Long-term consumption lightens the body and prolongs life.

Chen Xiuyuan states: The *Shennong Bencao Jing* contains only these thirty-seven characters. Its guiding principle is "primarily tonifies the five Zang organs," because the five Zang organs belong to Yin. Restless spirit, unstable Hun and Po, incessant palpitations, blurred vision, and insufficient mental acuity are all caused by Yin deficiency being disturbed by Yang hyperactivity. Now that the five Zang organs receive assistance from sweet-cold properties, they achieve the effects of calming them, securing them, stopping the symptoms, brightening them, opening them, and benefiting them. When it says "eliminates pathogenic factors," it does not refer to external pathogens, but rather refers to vigorous fire (excessive Yang) consuming Qi due to Yin deficiency; this fire is the pathogenic factor. Now that the five Zang organs receive assistance from sweet-cold properties, the pathogenic factors are eliminated. I carefully ponder the original text, finding not a single word mentioning warming and restoring Yang. Therefore, Zhang Zhongjing used Ren Shen (Ginseng Root) in conditions where sweating, vomiting, or purging methods had injured Yin fluids, employing it to rescue Jin-Ye (body fluids). In all formulas for restoring Yang, this yin-nourishing and soft substance is absolutely not added, as it would instead slow down the efficacy of Gan Jiang (Dried Ginger) and Fu Zi (Prepared Aconite Root). Thus, Sini Tang (Frigid Extremities Decoction) and Tongmai Sini Tang (Pulse-Resuscitating Frigid Extremities Decoction), being the premier formulas for restoring Yang, do not use Ren Shen. However, Sini Jia Renshen Tang (Frigid Extremities Decoction with Added Ginseng Root) adds it because blood loss occurred after diarrhea stopped; Fuling Sini Tang (Poria Cocos Decoction with Frigid Extremities Formula) uses it because it was administered after sweating and purging. Nowadays, people casually claim: "Use Ren Shen to restore Yang." This theory originated after the Song and Yuan dynasties and became prevalent among figures like Xue Lizhai, Zhang Jingyue, and Li Shicai. Li Shizhen's *Bencao Gangmu* (Compendium of Materia Medica) is particularly chaotic. Students must burn such books before they can be taught the Way of Medicine.

Among Zhang Zhongjing's 113 formulas, only seventeen contain Ren Shen: Xinjia Tang (Newly Added Decoction), Xiaochaihu Tang (Minor Bupleurum Decoction), Chaihu Guizhi Tang (Bupleurum and Cinnamon Twig Decoction), Banxia Xiexin Tang (Pinellia Heart-Purging Decoction), Huanglian Tang (Coptis Decoction), Shengjiang Xiexin Tang (Fresh Ginger Heart-Purging Decoction), Xuanfu Daizhe Shi Tang (Inula and Hematite Decoction), Ganjiang Huangqin Huanglian Renshen Tang (Dried Ginger, Scutellaria, Coptis, and Ginseng Root Decoction), Houpo Shengjiang Banxia Renshen Tang (Magnolia Bark, Fresh Ginger, Pinellia, and Ginseng Root Decoction), Guizhi Renshen Tang (Cinnamon Twig and Ginseng Root Decoction), Sini Jia Renshen Tang, Fuling Sini Tang, Wuzhuyu Tang (Evodia Decoction), Lizhong Tang (Regulate the Middle Decoction), Baihu Jia Renshen Tang (White Tiger Decoction with Added Ginseng Root), Zhuye Shigao Tang (Bamboo Leaf and Gypsum Decoction), and Zhigancao Tang (Honey-Fried Licorice Decoction). All these are used because after sweating, vomiting, or purging, Yin-Jin (Yin fluids) were lost, utilizing its ability to rescue Yin. For instance, in Lizhong Tang and Wuzhuyu Tang, where the Yang-tonifying drugs in the harsh-drying formulas are excessive, the sweet-cold nature of Ren Shen is taken to nourish Yin and coordinate with Yang, achieving the subtlety of harmony.

He further states: Since Li Shizhen's *Bencao Gangmu* became popular, the *Shennong Bencao Jing* has been abandoned. Take Ren Shen as an example: the *Bencao Jing* clearly states it is slightly cold, whereas Li Shizhen claims raw is cold and cooked is warm, which is highly forced interpretation. Drugs have fixed natures. Only if one crushes them raw to extract juice and takes it cold, or steams and dries them eight or nine times until color and taste change, is there a distinction between raw and cooked. If decocted, the raw material becomes cooked anyway. Moreover, cold and hot are as opposed as ice and charcoal; how can there be such a significant difference merely between steaming and not steaming? I have examined the intent of ancient sages in using Ren Shen, which was originally to support vital Qi and settle the five Zang organs. The Lung Fei, as the leader of the five Zang organs, the chief of hundred vessels, responsible for the transformation of clear and turbid Qi, and acting as the bellows of the whole body, relies on Ren Shen's slight coldness to clear the Lung Fei. When Lung Fei is clear, Qi flourishes; when Qi flourishes, Yin grows, and the five Zang organs are settled. What ancients called "tonifying Yang" referred to its sweet-cold usage not assisting vigorous fire to consume Qi, not implying its nature is warm and tonifying to Fire.

Tao Hongjing stated: Its functions are similar to Gan Cao (Licorice Root). Any formula involving cold, heat, tonification, or draining can succeed with its aid. However, Gan Cao's function covers both Yin and Yang, so the *Bencao Jing* says: "Primarily treats the five Zang and six Fu organs." Ren Shen's function specializes in tonifying Yin, so the *Bencao Jing* says: "Primarily treats the five Zang organs." Zhang Zhongjing removed Ren Shen in treating cough diseases because injuries from external cold and cold drinks were unsuitable for this yin-cold substance.