Posted by Hombre on September 1, 2010, at 2:58:00
In reply to Re: Ginseng + Astragalus Combination, posted by morgan miller on August 31, 2010, at 22:23:14
At this point, what I gather is that the "regular" ginseng used in Chinese medicine is Panax ginseng/ren shen ("ren" meaning man, an allusion to the fact that the root looks like a man). It's not steamed and therefore is not as warm as most Korean red ginseng.
Eleuthero/siberian ginseng is not in the ginseng family according to Chinese medicine, although it probably has some similarities in action. I've taken some extract pills and have noticed some buffering from stress. Ginseng and Astragalus Combination/Bu Zhong Yi Qi Wan also has some herbs that course the liver qi (i.e. bupleurum) which they say gets stuck easily due to stress and emotional frustration. I find this formula to help digestion and really help circulation in the upper part of the body from the solar plexus on up to the top of the head. I take something else for the weakening of the kidneys caused by the antidepressants. That one clearly works because I don't have the urinary hesitancy and have some relief from the sexual side effects as well.
As I mentioned, it seems these days you'll tend to find codonopsis/dang shen used in place of real ginseng. It tonifies the Spleen and Lung (Spleen tonification => builds blood; Lung tonification => build "qi"/functional energy) and enhances the immune system. It can be added to soups and rice porridges and can be eaten afterwards. There is nothing special about ginseng and by itself it will not be as effective as a formula.
poster:Hombre
thread:960603
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/alter/20100812/msgs/960904.html