Can ginseng and American ginseng be taken together?
May 28, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Sun Lianqing
Introduction
Under normal circumstances, ginseng and American ginseng can generally be taken together, but whether they are suitable for combined use depends on individual body constitution and specific medical conditions. Not everyone is appropriate to use both herbs simultaneously. Ginseng is warm in nature and functions to greatly replenish vital energy, invigorate the spleen and lungs, promote body fluid production, and calm the mind. American ginseng is cool in nature and serves to nourish qi and yin, clear heat, and generate body fluids. The two herbs have a certain degree of complementary effects in their actions.
Generally speaking, ginseng and American ginseng can usually be taken together, but whether they are suitable for combined use depends on individual body constitution and specific medical conditions. Not everyone is appropriate to use both herbs simultaneously. The analysis is as follows:
Ginseng is warm in nature and has functions of strongly replenishing vital energy, invigorating the spleen and lungs, promoting body fluid production, and calming the mind. American ginseng is cool in nature and can replenish qi and nourish yin, clear heat, and promote body fluid production. These two herbs have some complementary effects. When taken together, they can exert ginseng’s effect of strongly replenishing vital energy while utilizing American ginseng’s ability to nourish yin and clear heat, thus alleviating possible heatiness caused by ginseng. This combination is suitable for individuals with deficiency of both qi and yin who also require strong qi-replenishing effects, and can improve symptoms such as shortness of breath, fatigue, mental exhaustion, laziness, irritability, and thirst.
Both herbs have the function of replenishing qi and affect the spleen and heart meridians. They generally do not conflict in terms of therapeutic effects and may even work synergistically, enhancing the qi-replenishing effect and improving symptoms caused by qi deficiency such as shortness of breath, fatigue, insomnia and forgetfulness, palpitations, and mental restlessness.
However, not everyone is suitable for simultaneous use of these two herbs. For example, individuals with excessive internal heat conditions such as excessive heat syndrome or damp-heat syndrome should use them cautiously to avoid aggravating heat symptoms. Those with deficiency of both qi and yin who also require strong qi-replenishing effects may take them together. During consumption, close attention should be paid to bodily reactions; if any discomfort occurs, usage should be stopped immediately and a physician should be consulted.
