（山草）补肺气以生阴
人参（专入肺。兼入脾）。性禀中和。不寒不燥。形状似人。气冠群草。能回肺中元气
于垂绝
之乡。（冯楚瞻曰。人参能回阳气于垂绝。却虚邪于俄顷。李时珍曰。人参年深。浸渐长成
者。根如人形。有神。故谓之人参神草。参字从浸。亦浸渐之义。参即浸字。从世因字文繁
。遂以参星字代。从简便尔。绣按其说亦是。） 第世畏乎其参者。每以参为助火助气。凡
遇伤寒发热。及劳役内伤发热等症。（发热内伤外感皆有。惟察脉见浮数有力为外热。沉大
有力为内热。脉而沉细有力为实。脉而浮大无力为虚。热而脉盛为伤热为实。热而脉浮为伤
暑为虚。热而能言有力者为实。热而懒言无力者为虚。热而口干酷饮冷水者属实。热而口干
微饮汤者属虚。热而久按益热。是里热彻表为实。热而久按不热。是里阳浮表为虚。热而火
烙。时常不减。头足身体一样为实。热而乍作乍止。头热不烙。足冷为虚。热而无汗。二便
闭塞为实。热而有汗。二便通调为虚。热而见有里症为里热。热而见有表症为表热。热而时
当秋冬。收敛闭藏多实。热而时当春夏。升发浮散多虚。）畏之不啻鸠毒。以为内既发热。
复以助火助热之药入而投之。不更使热益甚乎。讵知参以补虚。非以填实。其在外感。正气
坚强。参与耆术附桂同投。诚为助火弥炽。若使元气素虚。邪匿不出。正宜用参相佐。如古
参苏饮、败毒散、小柴胡汤、白虎加人参汤、石膏竹叶汤、黄龙汤。皆用人参纳入。领邪外
出。（喻嘉言曰。伤寒宜用人参。其辨不可不明。盖人受外感之邪。必先汗以驱之。惟元气
壮者。外邪始乘药势以出。若素弱之人。药虽外行。气从中馁。轻者半出不出。重者反随元
气缩入。发热无休矣。所以体虚之人。必用人参三五七分入表药中。少助元气以为驱邪之主
。使邪气得药。一涌而出。全非补养衰弱之意也。）矧有并非外感。止因劳役发热。而可置
参而不用乎？夫参之所以能益人者。以其力能补虚耳。果其虚而短气。虚而泄泻。虚而惊恐
。虚而倦怠。虚而自汗。虚而眩晕。虚而饱闷食滞等症。固当用参填补。即使虚而嗽血。虚
而淋闭。虚而下血失血。与夫虚而喘满烦燥口渴便结等症。又何可不以虚治而不用以参乎？
况书有云。参同升麻则可以泻肺火。同茯苓则可以泻肾火。同麦冬则可以生脉。同黄耆甘草
则可以退热。（出元素）是参更为泻火之剂。则参曷为不用。惟在虚实二字。早于平昔分辨
明
确。则用自不见误耳。（治病要着。）洁古谓其喘嗽不用。以其痰实气壅之故。若使肾虚气短
喘促。岂能禁而不用乎？仲景谓其肺寒而嗽勿用。以其寒束热邪。壅滞在肺之故。若使自汗
恶寒而嗽。岂能禁而不用乎？东垣谓其久病郁热在肺勿用。以其火郁于内不宜用补之故。若
使肺虚火旺。气短汗出。岂能禁而不用乎？丹溪谓其诸痛不宜骤用。以其邪气方锐不可用补
之故。若使里虚吐利。及久病胃弱。与虚痛喜按之类。岂可禁而不用乎？节斋谓其阴虚火旺
吐血勿用。以其血虚火亢之故。若使自汗气短。肢寒脉虚。岂可禁而不用乎？夫虚实二字。
最宜相较。（言闻曰。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。）果其气衰火熄。则参虽同附桂
。可投。如其火旺气促。则参即同知柏。切忌。至于阴气稍虚。阳气更弱。阴不受火熏蒸者
。则可用参为君。阴气稍衰。阳气更弱。而火稍见其盛者。则可用参为佐。盖阳有生阴之功
。阴无益阳之理。参虽号为补阳助气。而亦可以滋阴生血耳。是以古人补血用四物。而必兼
参同用者。义实基此。（杲曰。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。）非若黄耆性禀纯阳。阴气绝少。而于火盛血燥不
宜。沙参甘淡性寒。功专泻肺。而补绝少。玄参苦咸寒滑。色黑入肾。止治肾经无根之火攻
于咽喉。不能于气有益。葳蕤甘平。虽能补中益气。而质润味淡。止能润肺止嗽。兼治风湿
。仍非肺分气药耳。故书载参益土生金。明目开心。益智添精助神定惊止悸。（正气得补。
邪火自退。）解渴除烦。（气补则火不浮。而烦自除。气补则津上升。而渴自止。）通经生脉
。（气补则血随气以行。而脉自至。）破积消痰。（气运则食自化。而积可破。气旺则水可利
。而痰自消。）发热自汗。（气补而阳得固。）多梦纷纭。（气补而神克聚。）呕哕反胃。虚咳
喘促。（气补而肺与胃克安。）久病滑泄。（气补而清得上升。）淋沥胀满。（气补而浊得下降
。）中暑中风。（气补而邪得外解。）一切气虚血损之症。（气补而血得内固。）皆所必用。至
云参畏灵脂。而亦有参同用以治月闭。是畏而不畏也。参恶皂荚。而亦有参同用以名交泰丸
。是恶而不恶也。参反藜芦。而亦有参同用以取涌越。是盖借此以激其怒。虽反而不反也。
然非深于医者。不能以知其奥耳。（出言闻氏）但参本温。积温亦能成热。故阴虚火亢咳嗽
喘
逆者为切忌焉。参以黄润紧实似人者佳。上党虽为参产道地。然民久置不采。（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。）今有所云党参者。皆
是假物。（时珍曰。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。人参体实而味甘。微带苦。）其次百济所出。力薄上党。又
其次高丽辽东所出。力薄百济。用皆忌铁。久留经年。须用淋过灶灰晒干。及或炒米同参纳
入瓷
器收藏。参须性主下泄。与紫菀当归之尾破血意义相同。滑脱则忌。参芦功主上涌。气虚火
炎亦忌。但体虚痰壅。用之可代瓜蒂。山西太行新出党参。其性止能清肺。并无补益。与于
久经封禁真正之党参。绝不相同。另有义详党参论内。所当并考参观。
人参（专入肺经，兼入脾经）。药性平和中正，不寒不燥。形状像人，气味在众草中最为冠绝，能够挽回肺中即将断绝的元气。（冯楚瞻说：人参能在阳气即将断绝时将其挽回，在短时间内驱除虚邪。李时珍说：人参生长年代久远，逐渐长成，根部像人的形状，有神灵之气，所以称为人参、神草。“参”字从“浸”，也是逐渐浸润的意思，“参”即“浸”字。因为“世因”二字笔画繁杂，于是用“参星”的“参”字代替，是为了简便罢了。我黄宫绣考察这种说法也是合理的。）然而世人畏惧人参，往往认为人参会助火助气。凡是遇到伤寒发热，以及劳役内伤发热等症状。（发热分为内伤和外感两种，只有观察脉象，浮数有力的是外热，沉大有力的是内热；脉象沉细有力的是实证，脉象浮大无力的是虚证；发热而脉象盛大的是伤热属实证，发热而脉象浮的是伤暑属虚证；发热而能说话有力的属实证，发热而懒言无力的属虚证；发热而口干极度想喝冷水的属实证，发热而口干只想少量喝汤水的属虚证；发热而久按更加发热的，是里热透达体表属实证，发热而久按不热的，是里阳浮越于体表属虚证；发热如火烙身，时常不减，头、足、身体温度一样的属实证，发热而忽作忽止，头部热但不烫手，脚冷的属虚证；发热而无汗，大小便闭塞的属实证，发热而有汗，大小便通畅的属虚证；发热而见到里有症状的是里热，发热而见到表里症状的是表热；发热而时值秋冬季节，收敛闭藏多属实证，发热而时值春夏季节，升发浮散多属虚证。）畏惧人参就像畏惧鸠毒一样，认为体内既然已经发热，再投入助火助热的药物，不是会让热势更加严重吗？哪里知道人参是用来补虚的，而不是用来填实的。对于外感病，如果正气坚强，将人参与人参、白术、附子、肉桂等同用，确实会助火使火势更旺。如果是元气素来虚弱，邪气潜伏不出，正适宜用人参辅助。如古代的参苏饮、败毒散、小柴胡汤、白虎加人参汤、石膏竹叶汤、黄龙汤，都用人参纳入方中，引领邪气外出。（喻嘉言说：伤寒症宜用人参，其中的辨别不可不明确。大概人感受外感邪气，必须先通过发汗来驱除它。只有元气壮实的人，外邪才能借助药势排出。如果是素体虚弱的人，药虽然向外行，但气在中焦气馁，轻的病邪半出不出，重的病邪反而随着元气缩入体内，导致发热不停。所以体质虚弱的人，必须在解表药中加入三五分至七分的人参，稍微辅助元气作为驱邪的主力，使邪气得到药力，一涌而出，这完全不是为了补养衰弱之意。）况且有的并非外感，只是因为劳役导致的发热，难道可以放置人参不用吗？人参之所以能益人，是因为它的力量能补虚罢了。果然出现气短、泄泻、惊恐、倦怠、自汗、眩晕、饱闷食滞等虚症，固然应当用人参填补。即使出现嗽血、淋闭、下血失血，以及喘满烦躁口渴便秘等虚症，又怎么能不以虚症治疗而不使用人参呢？何况书上说：人参同升麻就可以泻肺火，同茯苓就可以泻肾火，同麦冬就可以生脉，同黄芪甘草就可以退热。（出自张元素）这样看来，人参更是泻火的药剂，那为什么不用人参呢？关键在于虚实二字，要在平时分辨明确，那么用药自然就不会出错。（治病的关键要点。）洁古老人说气喘咳嗽不用人参，是因为痰实气壅的缘故。如果是肾虚气短喘促，难道能禁止不用吗？仲景说肺寒咳嗽勿用人参，是因为寒束热邪，壅滞在肺的缘故。如果是自汗恶寒而咳嗽，难道能禁止不用吗？东垣说久病郁热在肺勿用人参，是因为火郁于内不宜用补的缘故。如果是肺虚火旺，气短汗出，难道能禁止不用吗？丹溪说各种疼痛不宜骤用人参，是因为邪气方锐不可用补的缘故。如果是里虚吐利，以及久病胃弱，和虚痛喜按之类的情况，难道可以禁止不用吗？节斋说阴虚火旺吐血勿用人参，是因为血虚火亢的缘故。如果是自汗气短，肢寒脉虚，难道能禁止不用吗？虚实二字，最应该加以比较。（言闻说：凡是面色白、面黄、面青黧悴的人，都是脾肺肾气不足，可以使用人参。面色赤黑的人，气壮神强，不可以使用。脉象浮而芤濡虚大迟缓无力，沉而迟涩弱细结代无力，都是虚而不足，可以使用。如果弦长紧实滑数有力，都是火郁内实，不可以使用。）如果确实是气衰火熄，那么人参即使同附子、肉桂同用，也可以投服。如果火旺气促，那么人参即使同知母、黄柏同用，也切忌使用。至于阴气稍虚，阳气更弱，阴气不能承受火熏蒸的情况，则可以用人参为君药。阴气稍衰，阳气更弱，而火稍见盛的情况，则可以用人参为佐药。盖阳气有生阴的功效，阴气没有益阳的道理。人参虽然号称补阳助气，但也能够滋阴生血。因此古人补血用四物汤，而必须兼用人参同用，道理实在基于此。（杲说：古人血脱者益气，因为血不能自己生成，必须得到生阳气的药物才能生成。阳生则阴长，血才旺盛。如果单用补血药，血就没有途径产生了。《素问》说无阳则阴无以生，无阴则阳无以化，所以补气须用人参，血虚者也须用人参。）不像黄芪药性纯阳，阴气极少，而对于火盛血燥者不宜。沙参甘淡性寒，功效专于泻肺，而补益极少。玄参苦咸寒滑，色黑入肾，只治疗肾经无根之火攻于咽喉，不能在气方面有益。玉竹甘平，虽然能补中益气，但质地润味淡，只能润肺止咳，兼治风湿，仍然不是肺分的气药。所以书上记载人参益土生金，明目开心，益智添精，助神定惊止悸。（正气得到补益，邪火自然消退。）解渴除烦。（气补则火不浮越，烦自然消除；气补则津液上升，渴自然停止。）通经生脉。（气补则血随气而行，脉自然到达。）破积消痰。（气运则食物自然消化，积滞可破除；气旺则水液可利，痰自然消除。）发热自汗。（气补而阳气得以固摄。）多梦纷纭。（气补而神气得以聚拢。）呕哕反胃，虚咳喘促。（气补而肺与胃得以安宁。）久病滑泄。（气补而清气得以上升。）淋沥胀满。（气补而浊气得以下降。）中暑中风。（气补而邪气得以外解。）一切气虚血损之症。（气补而血得以内固。）这些都是必须使用的。至于说人参畏灵脂，但也有人参同用治疗月经闭阻的情况，这是畏而不畏。人参恶皂荚，但也有人参同用名为交泰丸的情况，这是恶而不恶。人参反藜芦，但也有人参同用取涌越之效的情况，这是借此激发其怒性，虽然是相反却不相反。但这如果不是深谙医理的人，不能知晓其中的奥妙。（出自言闻氏）但是人参本性温，积温也能成热，所以阴虚火亢咳嗽喘逆者是切忌使用的。人参以黄润紧实似人形者为佳。上党虽然是人参出产的道地药材，然而百姓长久放置不采。（李时珍说：上党现在是潞州。百姓把人参当作地方的祸害，不再采取。现在所用的，都是辽参。）现在有所谓的党参，都是假物。（李时珍说：伪品都是用沙参、荠苨、桔梗，采集根部制造来混淆的。沙参体虚无心而味淡，荠苨体虚无心，桔梗体坚有心而味苦，人参体实而味甘，微带苦。）其次百济所产的人参，药力比上党薄弱。再次是高丽、辽东所产的，药力比百济薄弱。使用时都忌讳铁器。长期存放经过一年，需要用淋过的灶灰晒干，或者炒米同人参一起纳入瓷器收藏。参须性质主向下泄，与紫菀、当归尾破血的意义相同。滑脱证忌用。参芦功效主向上涌，气虚火炎者亦忌。但是体虚痰壅者，用它可代替瓜蒂。山西太行山新出的党参，其性质只能清肺，并无补益作用，与久经封禁真正的党参完全不同。另有义理详见党参论内，应当一并考证参考。
(Mountain Herbs) Tonifies Lung Qi to generate Yin fluids.
Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma) (Enters the Lung Meridian specifically, and also enters the Spleen Meridian). Its nature is neutral and balanced, neither cold nor dry. Its shape resembles a human, and its qi ranks supreme among herbs. It can restore the primordial qi of the Lung that is on the verge of extinction. (Feng Chuzhan said: Ren Shen can restore Yang qi when it is on the verge of extinction, and dispel deficiency pathogens in an instant. Li Shizhen said: Ren Shen that has grown for many years and gradually matures, with roots resembling the human form, possesses spiritual energy, hence it is called Ren Shen or Shen Cao. The character "Shen" derives from "Jin" (soak/immersion), implying gradual growth. "Shen" is essentially the character "Jin". Because the characters "Shi Yin" were too complex, the character "Shen" from the star name was used instead for simplicity. Huang Gongxiu examines this explanation as reasonable.) However, people fear Ren Shen, often regarding it as aiding fire and qi. Whenever encountering symptoms such as fever due to Shanghan (Cold Damage) or fever due to labor injury and internal damage... (Fever can be caused by both internal injury and external contraction. Only by observing the pulse can one distinguish: floating and rapid with strength indicates external heat; deep and large with strength indicates internal heat; deep and fine with strength indicates excess syndrome; floating and large without strength indicates deficiency syndrome. Fever with a full pulse indicates heat injury and excess syndrome; fever with a floating pulse indicates summerheat injury and deficiency syndrome. Fever accompanied by the ability to speak with strength indicates excess; fever accompanied by reluctance to speak and weakness indicates deficiency. Fever with extreme thirst for cold water indicates excess; fever with slight thirst for warm soup indicates deficiency. Fever that becomes hotter upon prolonged palpation indicates interior heat penetrating the exterior (excess); fever that does not become hotter upon prolonged palpation indicates interior Yang floating to the exterior (deficiency). Fever feeling like burning iron, constant throughout head, feet, and body indicates excess; fever that comes and goes, with hot head but cold feet indicates deficiency. Fever without sweat and blocked urination and defecation indicates excess; fever with sweat and free urination and defecation indicates deficiency. Fever with interior symptoms indicates interior heat; fever with exterior symptoms indicates exterior heat. Fever occurring in autumn and winter, seasons of convergence and storage, tends to be excess; fever occurring in spring and summer, seasons of rising and dispersing, tends to be deficiency.) They fear Ren Shen as if it were poison, believing that since there is already internal heat, administering drugs that aid fire and heat will only make the heat worse. How could they know that Ren Shen is used to tonify deficiency, not to fill excess? In cases of external contraction, if the righteous qi is strong, combining Ren Shen with Huang Qi (Astragali Radix), Bai Zhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma), Fu Zi (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata), and Gui Zhi (Cinnamomi Ramulus) indeed aids fire and intensifies it. However, if the primordial qi has always been deficient and pathogens are latent, it is precisely appropriate to use Ren Shen as an assistant. For example, in ancient formulas such as Can Su Yin (Ginseng and Perilla Decoction), Bai Du San (Detoxification Powder), Xiao Chai Hu Tang (Minor Bupleurum Decoction), Bai Hu Jia Ren Shen Tang (White Tiger Plus Ginseng Decoction), Shi Gao Zhu Ye Tang (Gypsum and Bamboo Leaf Decoction), and Huang Long Tang (Yellow Dragon Decoction), Ren Shen is included to lead pathogens outwards. (Yu Jiayan said: In Shanghan, Ren Shen should be used; the differentiation must be clear. Generally, when humans contract external pathogens, sweating must first be induced to drive them out. Only those with robust primordial qi can expel external pathogens with the help of medicinal force. If the person is inherently weak, although the medicine acts outwardly, the qi within becomes depleted. In mild cases, half the pathogen exits and half remains; in severe cases, the pathogen retreats inward following the depletion of qi, causing continuous fever. Therefore, for individuals with weak constitutions, 3-5 fen to 7 fen of Ren Shen must be added to exterior-releasing medicines to slightly assist the primordial qi as the main force driving out pathogens, allowing pathogens to surge out with the drug's power. This is entirely not for the purpose of nourishing weakness.) Moreover, what about fevers not caused by external contraction, but solely due to labor injury? Can Ren Shen be omitted? The reason Ren Shen benefits people is precisely because its power can tonify deficiency. Indeed, if one presents with shortness of breath, diarrhea, fright, fatigue, spontaneous sweating, dizziness, abdominal fullness with food stagnation due to deficiency, it is certainly appropriate to use Ren Shen to fill the deficiency. Even if one presents with coughing blood, strangury and retention, lower bleeding and blood loss, or panting, fullness, irritability, thirst, and constipation due to deficiency, how can one fail to treat these as deficiency syndromes and not use Ren Shen? Furthermore, texts state: Ren Shen combined with Sheng Ma (Cimicifugae Rhizoma) can drain Lung fire; combined with Fu Ling (Poria) it can drain Kidney fire; combined with Mai Dong (Ophiopogonis Radix) it can generate the pulse; combined with Huang Qi and Gan Cao (Liquiritiae Radix) it can reduce fever. (From Zhang Yuansu) Thus, Ren Shen is even more a formula for draining fire. Why then should it not be used? The key lies in the two characters "Excess" and "Deficiency". If these are clearly distinguished beforehand, medication will naturally avoid error. (The crucial point of treating diseases.) Jiegu stated that Ren Shen should not be used for wheezing and coughing because of phlegm-excess and qi-stagnation. But if it is Kidney-deficiency causing shortness of breath and panting, how can it be forbidden? Zhongjing stated that Ren Shen should not be used for cough due to Lung-cold because cold binds heat pathogens, causing stagnation in the Lung. But if there is spontaneous sweating, aversion to cold, and cough, how can it be forbidden? Dongyuan stated that Ren Shen should not be used for long-standing stagnant heat in the Lung because fire stagnating internally is unsuitable for tonification. But if there is Lung-deficiency with hyperactive fire, shortness of breath, and sweating, how can it be forbidden? Danxi stated that Ren Shen should not be suddenly used for various pains because pathogens are sharp and tonification is unsuitable. But if there is interior deficiency with vomiting and diarrhea, or long-standing stomach weakness, or pain due to deficiency that prefers pressure, how can it be forbidden? Jiezhai stated that Ren Shen should not be used for hemoptysis due to Yin-deficiency with hyperactive fire because of blood-deficiency and hyperactive fire. But if there is spontaneous sweating, shortness of breath, cold limbs, and a deficient pulse, how can it be forbidden? The concepts of Excess and Deficiency must be compared most carefully. (Yan Wen said: Those with white, yellow, green, or sallow faces all have insufficient Qi of the Spleen, Lung, and Kidney, and can use Ren Shen. Those with red or black faces have strong Qi and spirit, and cannot use it. Pulses that are floating and knotted, soggy, deficient, large, slow, and weak; or deep, slow, choppy, thin, fine, knotted, or intermittent and weak, all indicate deficiency and insufficiency, and can be used. If the pulse is wiry, long, tight, solid, slippery, rapid, and strong, it indicates fire stagnation and interior excess, and cannot be used.) If there is truly Qi-depletion and fire-extinction, then Ren Shen, even when combined with Fu Zi and Gui Zhi, can be administered. If fire is hyperactive and breathing is rapid, then Ren Shen, even when combined with Zhi Mu (Anemarrhenae Rhizoma) and Huang Bo (Phellodendri Cortex), must be strictly avoided. As for situations where Yin qi is slightly deficient and Yang qi is weaker, such that Yin cannot withstand fire steaming, Ren Shen can be used as the Sovereign herb. When Yin qi is slightly declining and Yang qi is weaker, yet fire appears slightly prominent, Ren Shen can be used as an Assistant herb. This is because Yang has the function of generating Yin, while Yin has no principle of benefiting Yang. Although Ren Shen is known for tonifying Yang and assisting Qi, it can also nourish Yin and generate Blood. Therefore, ancients used Si Wu Tang (Four Substance Decoction) to tonify Blood, but always combined it with Ren Shen; the rationale is based on this. (Guo said: Ancients treated blood loss by tonifying Qi, because Blood does not generate itself; it requires drugs that generate Yang Qi to produce it. When Yang generates, Yin grows, and Blood becomes abundant. If only blood-tonifying drugs are used alone, Blood has no way to generate. The Su Wen states: Without Yang, Yin cannot be generated; without Yin, Yang cannot be transformed. Therefore, for tonifying Qi, Ren Shen must be used; for Blood deficiency, Ren Shen must also be used.) This is unlike Huang Qi, whose nature is purely Yang with very little Yin, making it unsuitable for conditions with hyperactive fire and dry Blood. Sha Shen (Glehniae Radix) is sweet, bland, and cold, specializing in draining Lung fire, with very little tonifying effect. Xuan Shen (Scrophulariae Radix) is bitter, salty, cold, and slippery, black entering the Kidney, only treating rootless fire of the Kidney meridian attacking the throat, offering no benefit to Qi. Wei Yu (Polygonati Odorati Rhizoma) is sweet and neutral; although it can tonify Middle and assist Qi, its moist texture and bland taste only allow it to moisten the Lung and stop cough, and treat wind-dampness; it is still not a Qi herb for the Lung. Therefore, texts record that Ren Shen benefits Earth to generate Metal, brightens the eyes, opens the mind, enhances wisdom, adds essence, assists spirit, calms fright, and stops palpitations. (When Righteous Qi is tonified, Evil Fire recedes naturally.) Relieves thirst and removes irritability. (When Qi is tonified, Fire does not float, and irritability is removed; when Qi is tonified, Jin Ye rises, and thirst stops.) Unblocks meridians and generates the pulse. (When Qi is tonified, Blood follows Qi, and the pulse arrives.) Breaks accumulations and eliminates phlegm. (When Qi moves, food digests naturally, and accumulations break; when Qi is vigorous, fluids are promoted, and phlegm disappears.) Fever and spontaneous sweating. (Qi is tonified, and Yang is secured.) Frequent dreams. (Qi is tonified, and Spirit gathers.) Vomiting, hiccup, regurgitation, deficiency-cough, and panting. (Qi is tonified, and Lung and Stomach are pacified.) Long-standing chronic diarrhea. (Qi is tonified, and Clear Qi rises.) Strangury and distension/fullness. (Qi is tonified, and Turbid Qi descends.) Summerheat stroke and wind-stroke. (Qi is tonified, and pathogens are resolved externally.) All symptoms of Qi deficiency and Blood damage. (Qi is tonified, and Blood is secured internally.) These are all essential uses. Regarding the statement that Ren Shen fears Ling Zhi (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma with Honey-frying? Note: Ling Zhi usually refers to Glycyrrhiza, but in compatibility contexts, it might refer to other interactions, here likely referring to traditional incompatibilities), there are cases where Ren Shen is used together to treat amenorrhea; this is "fearing but not fearing". Ren Shen dislikes Zao Jia (Gleditsiae Sinensis Fructus), yet there is the Jiao Tai Wan (Peaceful Intersection Pill) using them together; this is "disliking but not disliking". Ren Shen is incompatible with Li Lu (Veratri Radix), yet there are cases using them together to induce vomiting; this borrows the antagonism to provoke its anger, so although contrary, they do not contradict. However, only those deeply versed in medicine can know these mysteries. (From Yan Wen's family). But Ren Shen is originally warm; accumulated warmth can become heat. Therefore, it is strictly contraindicated for Yin-deficiency with hyperactive fire, cough, and panting. Ren Shen is best when yellow, moist, tight, solid, and resembling a human. Shangdang is the authentic production area for Ren Shen, but locals have long ceased harvesting it. (Li Shizhen said: Shangdang is now Luzhou. Locals consider Ren Shen a local hazard and no longer harvest it. What is used now is all Liaoshen [Liaoning Ginseng].) What is now called Dang Shen (Codonopsis Radix) is all fake. (Li Shizhen said: Fakes are made from Sha Shen, Qi Ni (Adenophorae Radix?), and Jie Geng (Platycodonis Radix), harvested and processed to confuse. Sha Shen is hollow and bland; Qi Ni is hollow; Jie Geng is solid with a heart and bitter; Ren Shen is solid and sweet, slightly bitter.) Next is Ren Shen from Baekje, which is weaker than Shangdang. Then comes Ren Shen from Goryeo and Liaodong, which is weaker than Baekje. Iron must be avoided during use. For long-term storage over a year, it must be dried with ash-leached water or stored in porcelain jars mixed with fried rice. Ren Shen Xu (Ginseng Fibers) primarily directs downward and drains, similar to Zi Wan (Asteris Radix) and Dang Gui Wei (Angelicae Sinensis Radix Tail) in breaking blood. It is contraindicated for sliding/loose conditions. Ren Shen Lu (Ginseng Stems) primarily directs upward and induces vomiting; it is also contraindicated for Qi deficiency with flaming fire. However, for body deficiency with phlegm congestion, it can substitute Gua Di (Melonis Fructus). New Dang Shen from the Taihang Mountains in Shanxi only clears the Lung and has no tonifying effect, completely different from the authentic, long-sealed Dang Shen. Further details are in the Dang Shen discussion; they should be examined together.