〔害〕助气、闭气、属阳，阳旺则阴愈消，凡酒色过度，损伤肺胃真阴，阴虚火动，肺
有火
热，咳嗽吐痰，吐血衄血，齿衄内热，骨蒸劳瘵，均在禁例。实表，表有邪者伤寒始作，形
症未定，而邪热方炽，痧痘斑毒初发欲出，但闷热而不见点者，若误投之，以截阻其路，皆
实实之害，非药可解。经云∶实实虚虚，损不足，补有余。如是者医杀之耳，可不慎哉。
〔利〕甘温微苦，大补肺中元气，其性主气，凡脏腑之气虚者，皆能补之，生津除烦，
聪明
耳目，安精神，定魂魄，止惊悸，通血脉，气壮而胃自开，气和而食自化。
参条，一名小参，条参味性同而力薄，补气生津，横行手臂，指臂无力者，服之有效。
参须
，力更薄于参条。
参芦性宣涌吐，亦有补性。
太子参，即孩儿参，功媲大参。
高丽参，功仿大参，性稍寒。
东洋参，功同大参，其性温，以种硫黄故也。
苦参，苦寒损气败血，性与参反，服之有害，今人用以代茶叶，暗受其损。
〔修治〕得火薰则软，或饭锅内蒸软，乘热软时，用铜刀切片，连汤炖透，冲入诸煎剂
汤和
服。独参汤加入陈皮数分，或佛手柑玫瑰花之类亦可用。炖汤服，则不滞气也。按秋冬采者
坚实，春夏采者虚软。治劳金汁拌浸，或用淡秋石拌入药。入参惟纳新器中与细辛相间，收
之密封，可经年不坏。
【危害】人参具有助长气机、阻滞气机的特性，属性为阳。阳气过旺会导致阴液更加耗损。凡是因饮酒和房事过度，损伤了肺和胃的真阴，导致阴虚火旺，肺部有火热之邪，出现咳嗽吐痰、吐血、鼻出血、牙龈出血、体内发热、骨蒸劳热及虚劳消瘦等症状的患者，均属于禁用范畴。若用于固护体表，但患者体表已有外邪侵袭，如伤寒病初起，症状尚未定型，且邪热正盛；或痧疹、痘疮、斑毒等病症初期欲发而未出，仅感闷热而未见皮疹者，如果误用人参，会阻碍邪气外透的通路，这都属于“实实”（使实证更实）的危害，这种损害不是药物可以解救的。《内经》说：“使实证更实，使虚证更虚，损害不足的正气，补益有余的邪气。”像这样治病的人，是医生害死了病人，怎能不谨慎呢？
【功效】人参味甘、性温、微苦，能大补肺中的元气。其药性主要作用于气分，凡是脏腑之气虚弱的情况，都能予以补益。它能生津液、除烦渴，使耳聪目明，安定精神，稳固魂魄，制止惊悸，疏通血脉。气壮则胃气自然开通，气和则食物自然消化。
参条，又名小参，味道和性质与人参相同但效力较薄弱，能补气生津，药力横行于手臂，对于手指和手臂无力的情况，服用有效。参须，效力比参条更薄弱。参芦具有宣通涌吐的作用，同时也有一定的补益作用。太子参，即孩儿参，功效媲美大人参。高丽参，功效仿照大人参，但性质稍偏寒。东洋参，功效同大人参，性质温和，是因为种植时施用了硫磺的缘故。苦参，味苦性寒，会损伤气机、败坏血液，其性质与人参相反，服用有害，现在有些人用它代替茶叶饮用，暗中受到损害。
【炮制与贮藏】人参经火熏会变软，或在饭锅内蒸软，趁热软时用铜刀切片，连同汤汁炖透，冲入其他煎剂的汤液中混合服用。独参汤中加入几分陈皮，或者佛手柑、玫瑰花等也可以配合使用。炖成汤剂服用，就不会阻滞气机。按：秋冬采摘的人参质地坚实，春夏采摘的人参质地虚软。治疗劳损可用金汁拌浸，或用淡秋石拌入药中。保存人参时，只将其放入新容器中，与细辛间隔放置，密封收藏，可以经过一年不坏。
[Harm] Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix) aids qi but can also obstruct qi; it belongs to the Yang category. When Yang is excessive, Yin is further depleted. It is strictly contraindicated in cases where excessive indulgence in alcohol and sexual activity has damaged the true Yin of the Lung and Stomach, leading to Yin deficiency with hyperactive fire, heat in the Lung causing cough with sputum, hematemesis (vomiting blood), epistaxis (nosebleed), gingival bleeding, internal heat, bone-steaming consumptive fever, and wasting-thirst syndrome. Regarding its ability to consolidate the exterior, if a patient has pathogenic factors on the exterior, such as at the onset of Shanghan (Cold Damage) where symptoms are not yet established and pathogenic heat is vigorous, or when rashes, smallpox, macules, or toxins are initially erupting but only feeling stifling heat without visible spots, administering Ren Shen by mistake will block the pathway for pathogens to exit. This constitutes the harm of "reinforcing excess" (Shi Shi), which cannot be resolved by medicine. The Classic states: "Reinforce the excess and empty the deficient, damage what is insufficient, and supplement what is redundant." Those who treat patients this way kill them through medical error; how can one not be cautious?
[Benefit] Ren Shen is sweet, warm, and slightly bitter. It greatly tonifies the Yuan Qi (Original Qi) of the Lung. Its nature primarily acts on Qi, so it can tonify Qi deficiency in all Zang-Fu organs. It generates body fluids, eliminates vexation, sharpens hearing and vision, calms the spirit, stabilizes the Hun and Po, stops palpitations and fright, and unblocks the vessels and collaterals. When Qi is robust, stomach function naturally opens; when Qi is harmonious, food digestion occurs naturally.
Shen Tiao (Ginseng stem), also known as Xiao Shen (Small Ginseng), has the same flavor and nature as Ren Shen but with weaker potency. It tonifies Qi and generates fluids, acting horizontally in the arms and hands; it is effective for weakness in the fingers and arms. Shen Xu (Ginseng rootlets) have even weaker potency than Shen Tiao. Shen Lu (Ginseng rhizome) has a dispersing and emetic property, but also possesses some tonic effect. Tai Zi Shen (Pseudostellaria Root), also called Hai Er Shen, has efficacy comparable to that of large Ren Shen. Gao Li Shen (Korean Ginseng) mimics the efficacy of large Ren Shen but is slightly cooler in nature. Dong Yang Shen (Japanese Ginseng) has the same efficacy as large Ren Shen and is warm in nature due to the use of sulfur in cultivation. Ku Shen (Sophora Root) is bitter and cold; it damages Qi and ruins Blood. Its nature is opposite to Ren Shen, and taking it is harmful. Some people now use it as a substitute for tea, suffering hidden damage.
[Processing and Storage] Ren Shen becomes soft when smoked by fire, or steamed in a rice cooker. While still hot and soft, slice it with a copper knife. Simmer thoroughly with the decoction liquid, then mix into other herbal decoctions before administration. For Du Shen Tang (Single Ginseng Decoction), adding a few fen of Chen Pi (Tangerine Peel), or Huo Shou Gan (Finger Citron) and Mei Gui Hua (Rose Flower) is also acceptable. Taking it as a simmered soup prevents Qi stagnation. Note: Ginseng harvested in autumn and winter is solid and firm; that harvested in spring and summer is hollow and soft. To treat consumption, soak it in Jin Zhi (Human Feces Distillate) or mix it with Dan Qiu Shi (Sal Petre). For storage, place Ren Shen only in new containers, alternating layers with Xi Xin (Asarum), seal tightly, and it will remain unspoiled for over a year.