American Ginseng for Qi and Yin Tonic

Source: The root of Panax quinquefolius, a plant from the Araliaceae family.
Mainly produced in the United States, Canada, and France; also cultivated in China.
Alternative Names: American ginseng, foreign ginseng, western ginseng, ginseng from the United States.
Main Chemical Components: Ginsenosides.
Benefits: Tonifies qi and nourishes yin, clears heat, and generates body fluids.
Applications: Suitable for those with qi and yin deficiency accompanied by heat, dry cough due to lung heat, shortness of breath, lethargy, irritability, post-illness yin deficiency, long-term illness, postpartum weakness, overwork-induced debility, nutritional deficiency, various anemias, bleeding, dizziness, headaches, neurasthenia, mental fatigue, lower back pain, spontaneous sweating, and night sweats. Modern applications include diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, neurasthenia, insomnia, yin deficiency, frail constitution, bronchiectasis, and lung cancer.
Dosage and Administration: 3–6 grams; can be decocted, stewed, steamed, dissolved in mouth, mixed with water, separately decocted, or taken as a decoction.
Usage Precautions: This herb is cold in nature and may harm yang and promote dampness; contraindicated for those with weak yang and cold-damp stomach. Avoid iron utensils and stir-frying over fire; incompatible with Liru (Aconite).
Five American Ginseng Dietary Recipes:
1. Slice 3 grams of American ginseng and use as tea; boosts qi and blood, enhances immune function.
2. 5 grams American ginseng, 30 grams longan meat, 20 grams rock sugar, steam thoroughly; treats qi and blood deficiency, insufficient body fluids, palpitations—excellent formula for replenishing qi and blood.
3. 5 grams American ginseng, 10 grams lingzhi, decoct and drink twice daily; strengthens body and brain, long-term use improves intelligence and memory.
4. 5 grams American ginseng, 30 grams lily bulbs, add 80 grams honey, steam and eat warm; treats lung yin deficiency cough, especially effective for chronic, hard-to-cure coughs.
5. 10 grams American ginseng, 4 liang rock sugar, 2 liang southern apricot kernels, place in a steamer, steam over boiling water for 2 hours; moistens lungs and stops cough.