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The method of observing facial color: bright and lustrous colors indicate a favorable prognosis, while dull and dark colors indicate an unfavorable one. However, Chen Xiyi stated: "Any color lacking luster cannot be considered a normal complexion." This is because luster represents the aspect of deficiency; without it, neither disaster nor auspiciousness can be determined. Therefore, when observing facial color, one must distinguish between brightness and dullness within the context of luster to determine good or bad omens. In spring, the color should be green; in summer, red; in autumn, white; and in winter, black. These are judged according to the four seasons: those that accord with the season survive, while those that do not portend misfortune. Among these four primary colors, it is best if they always carry a yellowish and moist hue, as this indicates the presence of Spleen Qi (the functional activity of the Spleen), which is ubiquitous. Redness at the tip of the nose suggests Fire in the Lungs; half-black ears suggest pathogenic factors in the Kidneys; redness on the nasal bridge (Nianshou area) indicates blazing Heart Fire blazes; blueness under the eyes indicates rebellious Spleen Qi. By inferring from these signs, one can understand most of the principles. Yellow and bright color at the nose tip indicates strong Spleen Qi; blue-yellow at the tip indicates Lin syndrome (dysuria); white indicates blood loss; red indicates heat in the blood. Diagnosing diseases through observation is termed "divine" (spirit-like perception), as detailed in the *Mingtang* chapter of the *Neijing*.

The Kou pulse (Hollow pulse) is currently unfamiliar to many. The *Maijue* (Pulse Classic) states: "Present at both ends, absent in the middle." This has caused confusion for centuries. Some claim there is no such thing as a Kou pulse; this is incorrect. "Kou" refers to the name for grass with holes.

Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma (Ren Shen) [as Sovereign drug], is warm in nature and sweet in flavor, with a slight bitterness. Its scent and flavor are light, belonging to Yang, specifically Yang containing slight Yin. It is non-toxic. Poria cocos (Fu Ling) and Iris ensifolia (Lian Zi) serve as its guides (Ministerial drugs). It is incompatible with Veratrum nigrum (Li Lu) and opposes salty substances. Those from Shangdang and Liaodong are superior. Its root resembles Saposhnikovia divaricata (Fang Feng) but is moist and solid. Sprouts emerge in spring, typically growing in deep mountains in shady, moist areas near Toxicodendron vernicifluum (Qi Shu) trees. Newly sprouted roots are three to four cun long, with five leaves per branch; after four or five years, three branches appear; older plants have four or five branches with five leaves. A single stem grows from the center, commonly known as "Baichichu" (Hundred-Foot Mortar). Flowers bloom in March and April, small like millet seeds, with thread-like stamens, purple-white in color. Fruits form in autumn, numbering seven or eight, resembling soybeans, turning from green to yellow and then red. Roots are dug up in early February, April, or August (Li Yanwen examined that Ginseng grows in shady, moist forests, detailing this in his *Reference on Ginseng*). Scrape off the soil with a bamboo knife, dry in the sun, avoiding wind exposure. Roots resembling the human form possess spiritual efficacy.
Lei Gong also stated: Large pieces resembling chicken legs are of good quality. Nowadays, people consider those that are crystal clear, hard, and moist as superior, calling them "Jingjing Yulan" (Jade Well Magnolia).
Processing: When using Ginseng, avoid Korean Ginseng or those that are withered and hollow. Remove the rhizome (Lu) before use; if not removed, it induces vomiting. Zhu Danxi said: If one qian of rhizome is added to one liang of Ginseng, the entire liang of Ginseng is wasted. Beware of this.
Indications: The *Shennong Bencao Jing* states: Sweet and slightly cold (the character 'cold' is erroneous). It primarily tonifies the Five Zang organs, calms the spirit, stabilizes the soul and fright, stops palpitations, eliminates pathogenic factors, brightens the eyes, opens the mind, enhances intelligence, and with long-term use, lightens the body and prolongs life. Also known as Jin Xian and Gui Gai. Commentary: When the righteous Qi of the Five Zang organs is insufficient, chaotic Qi takes advantage, causing the Heart Spirit to become unsettled. Thus, patients with consumptive disorders experience restless sleep and a spirit that does not reside in its dwelling. Ginseng calms the spirit, stabilizes the soul, and stops palpitations because it tonifies the righteous Qi of the Five Zang organs. When righteous Qi recovers, pathogenic factors are eliminated. However, contemporary physicians often seek so-called clearing and sedating herbs in addition to Qi-tonifying ones, which is erroneous.
It treats cold in the intestines and stomach,鼓胀 pain in the heart and abdomen, fullness and rebellion of Qi in the chest and hypochondrium, cholera with vomiting and regurgitation, regulates the Middle Jiao, treats Xiao Ke (wasting-thirst), unblocks the vessels, resolves phlegm in the chest, and breaks down firm accumulations. It treats cough due to Lung Qi insufficiency, stops irritability, transforms acid water, detoxifies metallic and mineral medicines, prevents forgetfulness, and is used for weakness with frequent dreaming.
Zhang Jieggu stated: It treats insufficiency of Yang Qi in the Spleen and Lungs, as well as panting and shortness of breath in the Lungs. It tonifies and warms the Middle, and drains Fire pathogens from the Spleen, Lungs, and Stomach. However, without ascending herbs as guides, it cannot tonify the ascending Qi. A combination of one part Cimicifuga foetida (Sheng Ma) and three parts Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma is effective. To tonify the Yuan Qi of the Lower Jiao and drain Kidney Fire, Poria cocos serves as the guide. He further stated: Use Ginseng for deficiency; it also tonifies the Stomach. Do not use it for coughs; use it for shortness of breath. Li Dongyuan stated: Ginseng is sweet and warm, capable of tonifying Qi in the Lungs. When Lung Qi is vigorous, the Qi of the other four Zang organs becomes vigorous because the Lungs govern all Qi. Zhang Zhongjing regarded Ginseng as a blood-tonifying herb, likely because it does not generate blood directly but requires herbs that generate Yang Qi to produce blood; when Yang generates, Yin grows, and blood becomes abundant. If one only tonifies blood for Yin deficiency without addressing Yang, blood cannot be generated due to the lack of Yang. He also stated: Using Ginseng with Dried Ginger (Gan Jiang) in Zhizhong Tang treats abdominal pain and vomiting due to interior deficiency; this medicine tonifies what is insufficient. Furthermore, add Ginseng for Qi tonification in cases of shortness of breath, irregular Qi, and asthma.
Wang Haizang stated: Ginseng is sweet and warm, regulating the Middle and benefiting Qi, which is equivalent to tonifying Lung Yang and draining Lung Yin. If one merely says it tonifies the Lungs without discussing Yin/Yang, cold/heat, or specific Qi insufficiency, it is a mistake. If the Lungs are affected by Cold pathogens, it is suitable to tonify with this herb; if affected by Fire pathogens, it should not be used. The Lungs represent the Qi of Heaven, corresponding to the Hand-Taiyin Meridian. They are a clear and moist organ, preferring coolness over heat, indicating their nature is cold. If the Lungs are injured by Heat, use Adenophorae Radix (Sha Shen). Adenophorae Radix is bitter and slightly cold, non-toxic, primarily treating blood stasis and essence deficiency, removing cold and heat, tonifying the Middle, and benefiting Lung Qi. It treats gastric bi, heart pain with heat accumulation, pathogenic headache, external heat, and calms the Five Zang organs. Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma is sweet and slightly warm, tonifying Yang of the Five Zang organs; Adenophorae Radix is bitter and slightly cold, tonifying Yin of the Five Zang organs. How can they be the same? Yi Lao used Adenophorae Radix to replace Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma, utilizing its bitterness. Bitterness tonifies Yin; sweetness tonifies Yang. Although the *Bencao Jing* states it tonifies the Five Zang organs, one must use herbs specific to each Zang organ as assistants to ensure it follows the guidance to tonify a specific Zang. This must be understood.
In recent times, the use of Ginseng has often led to fatal consequences. Wealthy families regard it as a miraculous drug for tonifying Yuan Qi. Due to excessive desires, they rely on Ginseng for nourishment, often resulting in critical conditions. This is due to ignorance of whether it should be used or not. Moreover, mixing it into warming and tonifying formulas is even more erroneous. People only know the tonifying effect of Ginseng but ignore the need for moving Qi, leading to stagnation and lack of circulation. When I use one qian of Ginseng, I invariably add one fen of Tangerine Peel (Chen Pi) for rapid efficacy. Refer to the records of successful treatments for usage methods.
Commentary: The *Zhuzhi Yaojue* states that Ginseng has three functions: tonifying Qi, stopping thirst, and generating fluids. Tonifying Qi needs no explanation. Why does it generate fluids and stop thirst? Because Spleen Qi transmits to the Lungs, and as Lung Qi descends, fluids are produced, similar to steaming food where heat vaporization turns into liquid. Thus, Qi insufficiency causes thirst; tonifying Qi generates fluids and stops thirst naturally. Its ability to resolve phlegm and transform acid water addresses the root cause: Spleen Qi insufficiency fails to transport and transform fine nutrients, leading to fluid retention. Ginseng tonifies the root. Treating cold in the intestones addresses Yang deficiency causing internal cold, as Ginseng tonifies Qi. Stopping abdominal pain reflects its effect of tonifying interior deficiency. Breaking down firm accumulations works by nourishing righteous Qi, causing accumulations to dissipate. Stopping restlessness and treating vivid dreams reflects the *Bencao Jing*'s function of calming the spirit and stabilizing the soul. Regarding how Ginseng assists Lung Qi to treat asthma and cough: Ginseng consolidates Yuan Qi, thereby treating rebellious fullness. These indications apply to conditions caused by deficiency. Using it when righteous Qi is depleted constitutes tonifying deficiency; using it when pathogenic factors are exuberant constitutes "solidifying excess," which is dangerous. Precision is key. Hence, Jieggu warned against using it for asthma and cough to prevent solidifying excess. I treated a patient with asthma and cough who worsened after taking Lung-draining herbs; administering Ginseng stopped it after one dose. This does not mean Ginseng is universally contraindicated for asthma and cough. For rebellious fullness in the chest and hypochondrium, or vomiting due to exuberant pathogenic factors, Ginseng is indeed contraindicated. However, after purgative therapy in cold damage or miscellaneous diseases leading to Yin depletion, if Qi in the chest sinks due to deficiency into the Heart's territory causing epigastric fullness (Pi), using Qi-moving herbs worsens the condition; Ginseng must be used to tonify. Thus, Zhongjing used Ginseng Decoction (Renshen Tang) for Chest Bi (obstruction); for excess patterns, Zhishi Xiebai Guizhi Tang is appropriate. For Stomach deficiency where grain Qi fails to move, causing chest obstruction and lower blockage, using acrid herbs to drain worsens vomiting; one should benefit the Stomach and raise Grain Qi. Thus, for gastric reversal vomiting unresponsive to Banxia Xiazu Tang, Banxia Banxiah Tang with Ginseng brings immediate recovery. This is Zhongjing's essential principle. Today's practitioners fail to examine the deficiency or excess of the disease and misunderstand the tonifying or draining nature of herbs. Upon encountering symptoms like asthma, fullness, or vomiting, they assume excess, mix in Qi-breaking herbs, and falsely claim Qi cannot be tonified. Consequently, they view Ginseng as deadly poison, and patients wait helplessly for death without regret. Is this not lamentable? Repeatedly reviewing the classics, I cannot help but elaborate.