The功效 (efficacy) of drinking ginseng steeped in water
Jan 12, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Zhang Xiuhong
Introduction
Red ginseng (Hong Shen) can greatly replenish primary qi, restore the pulse, and consolidate to prevent collapse. It is indicated for conditions involving extreme deficiency of primary qi with impending collapse caused by excessive perspiration, diarrhea, blood loss, serious illness, or prolonged disease. It improves symptoms such as shortness of breath, fatigue, and weak, barely perceptible pulse. Drinking red ginseng steeped in water can help enhance the body's vital energy, strengthen the body's ability to resist stress, and promote physical recovery. Red ginseng also has certain functions of nourishing and activating the blood, thereby generating blood through the reinforcement of qi.
Red ginseng is both a medicinal herb and a food source. Its effects when consumed as a water infusion generally include greatly replenishing vital energy (Qi), nourishing and activating the blood, strengthening the spleen and benefiting the lungs, promoting body fluid production to relieve thirst, and calming the mind to enhance mental clarity.
1. Replenish Vital Energy (Qi)
Red ginseng effectively replenishes vital energy, restores pulse function, and stabilizes the condition of Qi collapse. It is suitable for conditions caused by excessive sweating, severe diarrhea, significant blood loss, serious illness, or chronic disease, which result in extreme deficiency of Qi approaching collapse. It helps alleviate symptoms such as shortness of breath, fatigue, and weak or nearly absent pulse. Drinking red ginseng-infused water can help enhance vital energy, improve the body's stress resistance, and promote physical recovery.
2. Nourish and Activate the Blood
Red ginseng has the effect of nourishing and activating the blood. It promotes blood production by replenishing Qi, thereby improving conditions of Qi and blood deficiency. At the same time, it can promote blood circulation to some extent, ensuring smooth flow of Qi and blood. Drinking red ginseng water may help improve symptoms such as sallow complexion and limb numbness caused by Qi and blood stagnation.
3. Strengthen the Spleen and Benefit the Lungs
Red ginseng strengthens the spleen and benefits the lungs. For symptoms caused by spleen Qi deficiency, such as fatigue, poor appetite, abdominal distension, and loose stools, as well as symptoms caused by lung Qi deficiency, such as shortness of breath, panting, low voice, reluctance to speak, and weak coughing, drinking red ginseng-infused water can nourish and strengthen the spleen and lungs, improving related discomforts and enhancing their function.
4. Promote Body Fluid Production and Relieve Thirst
Red ginseng helps produce body fluids and relieve thirst. It can be used to treat disorders caused by depletion of both Qi and body fluids due to heat-related illnesses, alleviating symptoms such as fever with thirst, perspiration, and a large, weak pulse, as well as Qi and Yin deficiency in diabetes (consumptive disease). It works by replenishing Qi to generate body fluids, promoting their production and distribution, and relieving symptoms such as thirst and dry throat, thus improving the state of body fluid deficiency.
5. Calm the Mind and Enhance Mental Clarity
Red ginseng acts on the heart meridian, helping to calm the mind and enhance mental clarity. It can be used to treat symptoms such as palpitations, insomnia, and forgetfulness caused by deficiency of Qi and blood and insufficient nourishment of the heart. It aids in nourishing the heart and calming the mind, enhancing memory, improving brain function, elevating mental state and thinking ability, and helping maintain mental clarity.
It is recommended to drink red ginseng water in moderation. When consuming, attention should be paid to controlling the dosage and using it appropriately according to individual conditions. A light diet should be maintained in daily life, avoiding spicy and irritating foods.
