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The history of the discovery and application of Ginseng by the ancestors of the Chinese nation is the earliest. Records can be found as far back as the oracle bone inscriptions of the Shang and Yin dynasties. The pictographic character "Shen" (Ginseng) has a top-bottom structure: the upper part represents the aerial part of Ginseng, showing an umbellate inflorescence with multiple flowers (in ancient times, "three" represented a large number); the lower part is the character "Ren" (Human) in a walking posture with two legs, representing the root of Ginseng. All things in heaven and earth are born from the Qi of Yin-Yang and the Five Elements, each displaying its own nature. Only Ginseng possesses pure Yang, clear, and harmonious Qi with tonifying properties, unmatched by any other substance, hence it is called the "Spirit of a Thousand Herbs and the Leader of Hundred Medicines."

Ginseng greatly tonifies Yuan Qi (Primary Qi), enhances spirit, tonifies Spleen and Lung, calms the mind, and increases wisdom; it generates fluids to relieve thirst and irritability. It must be used for patients with prolonged illness who have depleted Yuan Qi and are on the verge of collapse, and is commonly taken by those recovering from illness to restore vitality, possessing the efficacy of rescuing collapse. Ginseng tonifies the Five Zang Organs, calms the spirit, stabilizes the soul, stops palpitations, eliminates pathogenic factors, brightens the eyes, opens the mind, and enhances intelligence. Long-term use lightens the body and prolongs life; it also treats coldness in the stomach and intestines, abdominal distension and pain resembling a drum, fullness and counterflow of Qi in the chest and hypochondrium, cholera with vomiting and diarrhea, regulates the middle Jiao, stops Xiao Ke (Wasting-Thirst), unblocks blood vessels, supplements solid accumulations, and prevents forgetfulness. Its main indications include Qi deficiency leading to collapse, pulse that is faint and nearly imperceptible, Spleen deficiency causing fatigue and weakness, poor appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, Lung deficiency causing shortness of breath, cough, and wheezing, constitutional weakness with spontaneous sweating, Qi deficiency damaging fluids causing thirst, insomnia with many dreams, Blood deficiency causing sallow complexion, Kidney deficiency causing impotence, frequent urination, and all syndromes of deficiency in Qi, Blood, and Body Fluids. Ginseng can be used regardless of gender, age, or whether the condition involves Qi/Blood or Cold/Heat, provided the syndrome is one of deficiency. It is truly a supreme treasure for supporting critical conditions and a miraculous elixir for emergencies.

Ginseng specializes in tonifying Qi. Since the Lung is the organ that governs Qi, Ginseng enters the Lung Meridian exclusively. It can restore the Yuan Qi of the Lung to a state of non-existence (from nothing). When Lung Qi is vigorous, the Heart, Liver, Spleen, and Kidney become vigorous as well. Thus, its tonifying power stands out among all herbs, working in harmony with the laws of Heaven and Earth. For those with Qi deficiency and weak Blood, tonifying Qi allows Blood to generate naturally because Blood follows Qi in its movement; when Qi moves, Blood moves. Furthermore, Yin is born from Yang, and sweet flavors can generate Blood. Therefore, using a small amount of Ginseng in Yin-tonifying formulas to generate Yang will cause Yang to rise and Yin to flourish; however, using a large amount of Ginseng in Yin-tonifying formulas to generate Yang will cause Yang to rise but Yin to further deplete. Hence, when using Ginseng to tonify Yin, it should only be used in small amounts. Using Ginseng within Yin-tonifying formulas also carries the risk of stirring up Fire.

Ginseng regulates various deficiencies and tonifies all Five Zang Organs. Individuals who are obese and fair-skinned may take it freely in larger doses, while those who are thin and dark-skinned should take smaller doses.

The application of Ginseng is extremely widespread. Zhang Zhongjing, known as the "Ancestor of Formulary Books," recorded 113 formulas in his *Shanghan Lun* (Treatise on Cold Damage Disorders), of which 21 contained Ginseng, accounting for 18.6%. Sun Simiao's *Qianjin Yifang* (Supplement to the Thousand Golden Prescriptions) collected over 5,300 formulas, with 358 containing Ginseng, accounting for 6.8%. Wang Tao's *Waitai Miyao* (Essential Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Gold) collected over 6,320 formulas, with 576 containing Ginseng, accounting for 9.1%... This sufficiently demonstrates the extensive utility of Ginseng.

**Origin of Ginseng**

There is a folk proverb: "Three branches, five leaves, facing away from the sun towards the shade; if you seek me, look for me near the Linden tree."

Ginseng is distributed in mountainous areas between longitude 117-137 degrees East and latitude 40-48 degrees North. Those produced in China are named "Renshen" (Chinese Ginseng); those produced in the USA, Canada, and France are named "Xiyangshen" (American Ginseng); those produced in Japan are named "Dongyangshen" (Japanese Ginseng); and those produced in Korea are named "Baizhishen" (Korean Ginseng). The main production area of Ginseng is China, with distributions in Heilongjiang, Jilin, Liaoning, and northern Hebei provinces, primarily in the extended regions of the Changbai Mountain range. Ginseng prefers cold and humid climates and dislikes direct strong sunlight, so its nature belongs to Yin. If exposed to sunlight, it rots; it relies on moisture for growth. The production areas feature steep mountains, surrounded by high peaks and great rivers for thousands of miles. Forests and grass cover the mountains, with miasma and fog obscuring the sun all day long. The biting wind penetrates the bones, and there are even places where snow and ice do not melt throughout the year. Wild Ginseng produced in southern Jilin, eastern Liaoning, the Changbai Mountains, and Ning'an County in Jilin Province is considered the best. Currently, most Ginseng is cultivated.

**Types of Ginseng**

Ginseng can be divided into three types: Shanshen (Wild Mountain Ginseng), Yishen (Transplanted Ginseng), and Yangshen (Cultivated Ginseng). Shanshen, also known as Chunshanshen (Pure Wild Ginseng), is naturally generated in the mountains without any human management during its entire growth process. It has the best quality and highest value, but resources are scarce, making it hard to find in the market today. Yishen refers to naturally generated seedlings that are transplanted and cultivated, or artificially cultivated seedlings transplanted into the wild, or seedlings cultivated for a few years before being transplanted into the wild. These are collectively called "Yishanshen" (Transplanted Wild Ginseng). Yangshen refers to Ginseng purely cultivated by humans.

**Classification of Shanshen Varieties**

Pure Shanshen resources are scarce, supply cannot meet demand, but there are many similar products. Roughly including: Shanshen Dongbian (Shanshen with Rhizome Replacement), Shanshen Bahuo (Rescued Shanshen), Chidishen (Pool-Bottom Ginseng), Zihai (Seed Sea), Ziba (Seed Transplant), Yuanba (Round Transplant), Yangba (Seedling Transplant), Miaoba (Sprout Transplant), Laozaizi Shangshan (Old Cultivations Returned to Wild), Xiaozhaizi Shangshan (Young Cultivations Returned to Wild), etc. These are introduced below.

**Shanshen Dongbian**: Refers to Shanshen whose main root was destroyed during growth due to trampling by humans or beasts, fire, rodent or insect bites, or rotting. The adventitious roots (Dong) continue to grow and replace the main root. Such Shanshen is called "Shanshen Dongbian." Its therapeutic power is slightly similar to pure Shanshen, but its shape and form are inferior.

**Shanshen Bahuo**: Refers to harvested Shanshen that was too small or could not be sold in time, so it was re-buried in the wild to grow naturally again. After several years, it is dug up again. Its efficacy is slightly inferior to pure Shanshen, approximately 80%.

**Chidishen**: Refers to Ginseng left behind after harvesting from old Ginseng fields, fallow land, or old cultivated Ginseng plots, which grows naturally for several years before harvest. Its skin is rough, spongy, lusterless, and the transverse rings are shallow. Its therapeutic power is better than Yuanshen (Cultivated Round Ginseng), approximately 30% of that of pure Shanshen.

**Zihai**: Refers to Ginseng seeds scattered in the wild or forests, allowed to grow naturally for 10-20 years before harvest. Its skin is tender and smooth, and the transverse rings are shallow. Its efficacy is slightly better than Chidishen, approximately 40% of that of pure Shanshen.

**Ziba**: Refers to Ginseng seeds scattered in Ginseng beds, allowed to grow naturally under human supervision for several years (generally around 10 years). Its rhizome (Lu) is mostly straight and long, the skin is older, and the pearl-like points on the roots are indistinct. Its efficacy is slightly better than Yuanshen, approximately 20% of that of pure Shanshen.

**Yuanba**: Refers to Ginseng selected during the harvest of Yuanshen for having perfect "Five Forms" (aesthetically pleasing shape, long rhizome), replanted in Ginseng beds, and harvested after several years. Also called "Yingdishen" (Hard Bottom Ginseng). Generally harvested once every 5 or 8 years, or once at 9 years, and finally at 10 years. Miaoba, Yangba, Laozaizi Shangshan, and Xiaozhaizi Shangshan all belong to this category. Its skin is mostly rough and lusterless, transverse rings are shallow, roots are numerous, and its efficacy is similar to Ziba.

**Identification of Shanshen**

The morphology of Shanshen consists of the rhizome (Lu), adventitious root (Dong), body (Ti), rings (Wen), skin (Pi), legs (Tui), roots (Xu), and pearl points (Zhenzhudian). Currently, the experience of "Five Forms" and "Six Bodies" is still mainly used to identify the quality of Shanshen. "Five Forms" refer to Lu, Dong, Wen, Pi, Xu; "Six Bodies" refer to Ling (Agile), Ben (Clumsy), Lao (Old), Nen (Young), Heng (Horizontal), Shun (Straight). The morphology of Lu is divided into Yuanlu (Round Rhizome), Mayalu (Horse Tooth Rhizome), Duihualu (Piled Flower Rhizome), Zhujielu (Bamboo Joint Rhizome), Xianlu (Thread Rhizome), Liangjelue (Two-Joint Rhizome), etc., with Yuanlu being the best quality and Zhujielu slightly inferior. Dong is divided into Zaohedu Dong (Jujube Pit Dong), Suanbandong (Garlic Clove Dong), Duisheng Dong (Opposite Dong), Maomao Dong (Fuzzy Dong), etc., with Zaohedu Dong (small ends, swollen middle, shaped like a jujube pit) being superior. Rings are roughly divided into Heluowen (Spiral Rings), Duantouwen (Broken Head Rings), and Paowen (Running Rings); fine and dense rings are superior. Skin should be fine and tight. Roots should be slender, tough, clear and orderly, with distinct pearl points.

Ling Ti (Agile Body) refers to a delicate and lovely shape with distinct body and legs; Ben Ti (Clumsy Body) refers to a clumsy and unattractive shape; Heng Ti (Horizontal Body) refers to Ginseng with legs extending sideways, with a thicker and shorter root, often due to terrain; Shun Ti (Straight Body) refers to Ginseng with a straight root and slender roots; Lao Ti (Old Body) refers to Ginseng grown for many years, with old yellow skin, dense and tight transverse rings; Nen Ti (Young Body) refers to Ginseng with tender white skin and shallow transverse rings.

Ginseng with yellow, lustrous skin, round body, solid texture, and plump flesh is considered superior. The tender skin of Shanshen is soft like cotton but firm inside, with fine and dense rings. Pearl knots naturally form beside the rhizome and roots, one knot per year. To distinguish the age, look at the eye-like points on the outside; more points indicate older age. The longer the age of pure Shanshen, the milder its nature and the greater its vitality, because it absorbs sufficient pure Qi from the sky and thick spiritual essence from the earth veins, thus possessing great power. For similar products (Zihai, Ziba, etc.), the body should be firm and white, skin fine and tight, with transverse wrinkles, depressed rhizome base, and many branch joints on the rhizome (more joints mean more years). The taste should be sweet with a hint of bitterness, with a fresh aroma and lingering aftertaste, which indicates superior quality.

**Processing of Ginseng**

Ginseng is generally harvested in September-October. After digging, it is first soaked in water. Once moistened, dirt is washed and brushed off. It is then hung on ropes to dry naturally or in the sun, called "Shengshaishen" (Raw Sun-Dried Ginseng). Ginseng (mostly Yuanshen) is washed, the old black skin is peeled off, and a velvet-covered bow is used to pull fine lines around the body. Holes are pricked all over with needles. White rock sugar is boiled with water until dissolved. After cooling, the Ginseng is placed in the pot and soaked in the sugar syrup overnight. The next day, it is taken out and dried in the shade, named "Baishen" (White Ginseng). Yuanshen is washed, pricked with holes, soaked in sugar syrup overnight, then steamed dry in a steamer, and finally sun-dried, named "Hongshen" (Red Ginseng). Branch and root hairs are processed into "Hongshenxu" (Red Ginseng Root Hairs), and adventitious roots are processed into "Hongshendong" (Red Ginseng Adventitious Roots). Soaking Ginseng in sugar syrup turns the originally loose body into a hard, tight, and lustrous state. Ginseng processed using low-temperature vacuum drying after cleaning is called "Donggan Shen" (Frozen-Dried Ginseng) or "Huoxing Shen" (Active Ginseng).

**Modern Applications of Ginseng**

Ginseng specifically treats digestive disorders caused by cardiac and neural asthenia, serving as a unique tonic. After entering the stomach, it aids gastric digestion. Part of it combines with gastric acid to produce hydrogen-containing substances and glucose-like sugars, which are absorbed in the small intestine into the blood. It promotes blood circulation, assists in the production of blood cells, revitalizes the spirit, and strengthens physical strength. Therefore, the main efficacy of Ginseng is as a tonic. It can be used for pulmonary tuberculosis, neural asthenia, impotence, seminal emission, aging, anemia, kidney diseases, uterine diseases, and all diseases caused by physical exhaustion. It is particularly effective for headaches and dizziness caused by neural asthenia.

1. **Affecting Material Metabolism**: Ginseng has a regulatory effect on blood sugar levels, normalizing disordered metabolic processes. It significantly inhibits cholesterol absorption, lowers blood cholesterol concentration, and prevents arteriosclerosis. It also has an inhibitory effect on fatty liver and hyperlipidemia.

2. **Regulating the Central Nervous System**: Ginseng has a dual regulatory effect of excitation and inhibition on the central nervous system. It can improve learning ability and enhance memory.

3. **Affecting Organism Stress Capacity**: Ginseng has obvious stress-resisting effects such as anti-fatigue, anti-hypoxia, anti-low temperature, anti-high temperature, and anti-noise.

4. **Delaying Aging**: Ginseng can inhibit the generation of free radicals, quench or clear already generated free radicals in the body, and protect biological cell membranes from damage. It can improve the brain's oxygen uptake capacity, promote the utilization rate of blood oxygen by the brain, significantly reduce triglyceride content, and significantly enhance DNA replication in liver cells. Ginseng volatile oil can be absorbed by the human body through skin penetration, thereby promoting blood circulation and metabolism, enhancing the development, nutrition, and luster of the skin, and having anti-wrinkle, anti-cold, and anti-ultraviolet radiation effects.

5. **Affecting the Circulatory System**: Ginseng has a definite inhibitory effect on platelet aggregation, reduces blood viscosity, enhances blood fluidity, resists blood coagulation, and promotes fibrinolysis. It can reduce myocardial oxygen consumption or increase coronary blood flow. A small amount of Ginseng can cause peripheral vasoconstriction, leading to a slight rise in blood pressure, while a large dose causes blood pressure to drop.

6. **Treating Tumors**: Ginsenosides, polysaccharides, and volatile oils contained in Ginseng have certain inhibitory effects on malignant tumors. They can inhibit the proliferation of cancer cells and the synthesis of DNA, RNA, and proteins in tumor cells. Experiments have confirmed that Ginseng preparations can cause isolated cultured liver cancer cells to reverse towards normal liver cells. This not only inhibits the differentiated growth ability of liver cancer cells but also changes their biochemical systems to approach those of normal liver cells. Ginseng is also a common preparation for preventing and treating tumors. It can improve organism immunity, significantly promoting both specific and non-specific immunity, and inhibiting the occurrence and growth of tumors. It can prevent and treat tumor deterioration and development caused by inflammation and infection, stimulate the phagocytic function of the reticuloendothelial system, and promote complement formation. Ginseng can strengthen the anti-cancer effects of chemotherapy drugs, restore bone marrow hematopoietic function, raise hemoglobin levels, and protect the smooth progress of chemotherapy.

Ginseng can improve the appetite, increase weight, and reduce pain in post-operative cancer patients. Blood tests show increased red blood cells and hemoglobin, with significant improvement in anemia symptoms. When combined with other anti-cancer drugs, leukopenia is rarely seen, indicating that this drug prevents the suppression of hematopoietic function by anti-cancer drugs. It can effectively improve symptoms in patients with malignant tumors and counteract side effects caused by chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Ginseng is also significantly effective in treating precancerous lesions of gastric cancer. The application of Ginseng in cancer treatment holds great prospects for development.

**Methods of Taking Ginseng**

The common dosage of Ginseng is 3 to 15 grams per day, which can be adjusted according to the condition and type of Ginseng. For example, wild mountain Ginseng is generally 3-5 grams, Korean Ginseng 5-10 grams, and other varieties 10-15 grams.

There are four methods of taking Ginseng:

**Swallowing**: Ginseng is ground into fine powder, taken 1-2 times daily with warm boiled water.

**Holding in Mouth**: Ginseng is sliced or chunked, placed in the mouth, sucked to absorb the juice, and chewed and swallowed when softened.

**Steaming**: Ginseng is placed in a cup with a lid, steamed over water until cooked, then chewed and slowly swallowed.

**Stewing**: Ginseng slices or whole pieces are placed in a cup with water, covered, and stewed. The juice is drunk, and after two days, the Ginseng pieces are chewed finely and swallowed.

Among these methods, swallowing is the best because the main action of Ginseng lies in its "Qi" and "Flavor." Grinding into powder and swallowing ensures both Qi and Flavor are complete and easily absorbed. Stewing is less effective because the hard texture of Ginseng means short boiling does not extract full flavor, while long boiling evaporates the "Qi," affecting efficacy.

**Ginseng for Treating Cancer**

Ginseng is a brilliant pearl in the treasury of traditional Chinese medicine, shining with charming radiance from ancient times to the present.

The Classics state: "Where pathogenic factors gather, the Qi must be deficient." Most cancer patients have a root deficiency with branch excess. Therefore, the major treatment principle is to support the healthy Qi and nourish the root, while eliminating cancer and expelling pathogens. Ginseng has a sweet and slightly bitter taste and is warm in nature. It enters the Lung and Spleen meridians. Its functions include nurturing the origin and securing collapse, tonifying the Lung and benefiting the Spleen, generating fluids, and calming the mind. It mainly treats shortness of breath and wheezing, poor appetite and fatigue, thirst and excessive sweating, palpitations and anxiety, insomnia and forgetfulness, and collapse after severe illness, chronic illness, or massive hemorrhage. Among drugs used for tonification in cancer treatment, Ginseng has unique merits. It can be used for various tumors belonging to Qi deficiency syndromes and is commonly used for adverse reactions to radiotherapy and chemotherapy, often achieving good results. Examples are given below.

1. **Ginseng Combined with Kidney-Tonifying and Toxic-Eliminating Drugs to Treat Bone Metastasis of Breast Cancer**

Patient, female, employee. Underwent breast cancer clearance surgery in May 1987. In April 1989, experienced right leg pain and difficulty walking. X-ray and CT scans diagnosed "metastatic bone cancer of the right ilium." Serum alkaline phosphatase was 108 U/L. Radiotherapy and chemotherapy were ineffective. She sought treatment in our hospital's TCM department. At that time, the patient had a sallow complexion, emaciation indicative of cachexia, a painful expression,勉强 limping on the right lower limb, poor appetite, and fatigue. Physical examination showed absence of the left breast, tenderness and burning sensation at the right ilium, and limited mobility of the right hip joint. Blood counts: WBC 2×10^9/L, RBC 2.2×10^12/L, PLT 56×10^9/L. Tongue was pale, pulse was fine. The syndrome belonged to toxic pathogens invading the Liver and Kidney meridians, compounded by surgical trauma and the toxic effects of radio/chemotherapy, leading to the collapse of Yuan Qi. The treatment plan was to nurture the origin, tonify the Kidney, eliminate toxicity, and fight cancer. Prescription: Baizhishen 5g, Gouqizi 12g, Shanzhuyu 12g, Nüzhenzi 12g, Buguzhi 12g, Sangjisheng 12g, Niuxi 12g, Shougong (Gecko) 3 pieces, Fengfang (Honeycomb) 12g, Quanxie (Scorpion) 3g. After taking 10 doses, spirit improved, pain stopped, and appetite increased. After continuing with 90 doses, follow-up examination showed: lively complexion, free walking, weight gain of 8 kg. X-ray and CT scans compared with previous films showed that the previously destroyed bone tissue was repairing, with obvious absorption and improvement. Blood counts rose to the normal range. In August 1996, upon re-examination, her mental outlook was completely renewed. She had been able to practice boxing and dance for several years. She continued to take over 100 doses of the above prescription annually, surviving well with the tumor for 15 years.

**Commentary**: The patient was elderly and had suffered Qi and Essence depletion from surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, with metastasis from surface to interior bone. The Zang-Fu organs were declining. Being a deficiency syndrome, tonification was required. Therefore, Ginseng was chosen as the Sovereign herb to support healthy Qi and consolidate the root. Ginseng's sweet flavor generates Blood; Yang generates Yin. With Shanzhuyu and Gouqizi to tonify the Kidney and regulate the Liver, and Shougong and Quanxie to dispel wind, stop pain, unblock collaterals, and eliminate toxicity, long-term use resulted in pain cessation, blood count elevation, and cancer suppression. Ginseng has the power to bring the dead back to life.

2. **Ginseng Combined with Spleen-Tonifying and Knot-Dispersing Chinese Medicines to Synergize with Radiotherapy for Esophageal Cancer**