juliechambersherb2: TONIFY THE QI

Rén Shēn

Ginseng Radix

"Man Root"

Taste: Sweet, sl. Bitter

Temp: Sl Warm

Channels: Lung, Spleen (some say all 12)

Actions:

Powerfully tonifies source (yuan) qi; extreme collapse with SOB, weak pulse, sweating, cold limbs
Tonifies lung qi (and helps kidneys grasp lung qi)
Strengthens spleen and stomach: lethargy, lack of appetite, organ prolapse
Generates fluids and alleviates thirst: wasting and thirsting (xiao ke)
Benefits heart and calms the shen; insomnia, anxiety

Dose: 1-9 g, up to 30 for shock

Contra: Hypertension; heat conditions, yin deficiency

Modern: Countless studies have been done on ginseng – see Christopher Hobbs' book The Ginsengs: A User's Guide

Cooking: Cook separately in ginseng cooker; I cook 5-6 roots for about 2 hours, and then repeat this each day until the liquid has less color (usually 3-4 cookings produce color)

Identification: There are many kinds; white Asian is the type I use most

There is red ginseng which is usually Korean; steaming is what turns it red; usually red is in slices, and white is kept whole

Interaction Note: Lai Fu Zi (Raphani Semen) antagonizes Ren Shen, and can be used as an antidote if someone overdoses on Ren Shen

Xī Yáng Shēn

Panacis Quinquefolii Radix

(Bensky calls it a yin tonic, and it is, but we will study it here, as it tonifies qi and yin)

Taste: Sweet, sl Bitter

Temp: Cold

Channels: Heart, Kidney, Lung

Actions:

Benefits qi, generates fluids, nourishes yin
Nurtures lung qi and clears fire from lungs
Compared to Asian ginseng, this is milder, cooler and more for the yin
Grown in parts of US such as Appalachia (see Pickering's Ginseng Farm in Kentucky)

Dose:    2 – 9 g
Cooking:    Separate in ginseng cooker
Identification:    Fresh, looks like white parsnips; dried, sliced, looks like pale yellow chips

Dǎng Shēn

Codonopsis Radix

"Group Root"

Taste: Sweet

Temp: Neutral

Channels: Lung, Spleen

Actions:

Tonifies spleen qi – bloating, fatigue, loose stools, chronic illness
Tonifies lung qi – cough, shortness of breath, catch cold often
Nourishes fluids – wasting and thirsting, depleted fluids, thirst
Commonly substituted for ginseng, used in 3x the dosage

Dose:    9 – 30 g
Contra:    Incompatible with Li Lu (Rx Veratri)
Identification:    Pale twisted ropes; if yellow, may have been treated in millet to enhance spleen tonification. Should be pliable, not too dried out.

Tài Zǐ Shēn

Pseudostellariae Radix

"Prince Root"

Taste: Sweet, Sl bitter

Temp: Neutral

Channels: Lung, Spleen

Actions:

Strengthens spleen and augments qi
Generates fluids
Similar action to American ginseng in generating fluids, but more tonifying to qi than yin
Often substituted for ginseng in China; cheap, readily available and good for children

Dose: 9-30 g

Contra: Incompatible with Li Lu; molds easily, keep jar open

Modern: Contains saponins, like ginseng

Identification: Moist, pale yellow

Huáng Qí

Astragali Radix

(in the garden!)

Taste: Sweet

Temp: Sl Warm

Channels: Lung, Spleen

Actions:

Tonifies spleen qi: lack of appetite, diarrhea
Raises yang qi of spleen and stomach; for prolapse and bleeding
Augments the Wei qi and stabilizes exterior: for spontaneous sweating due to deficiency
Tonifies both qi and blood, used in recovery from blood loss or blood damage due to medical treatments
Promotes urination to reduce edema
Promotes pus discharge and generates flesh
MAJOR herb for immune system enhancement

Dose: 9- 30, up to 60; very safe

Contra: Exterior conditions of excess (wind/cold, wind/heat invasion), qi stagnation, etc. Use only for deficient conditions.

Identification: Pale yellow woody slabs, can vary greatly in size, smells like pistachios!

Interaction Note: Use when patients are taking nephrotoxic drugs such as strong antifungals, anti-cancers, antibiotics. To protect kidney, you must use 100-120 g of Huang Qi; combine with Ling Zhi (Ganoderma mushroom), Nu Zhen Zi, etc.

Shān Yào

Dioscoreae Radix

Channels: Kidney, Lung, Spleen

Actions:

Dose: 9-30 g, up to 250 g for wasting and thirsting (this is a food herb)

Contra: Excess conditions

Cooking: Dry fry to make it more spleen-strengthening

Can be used as a baby's first food