Can American ginseng reduce liver fire?
Disease description:
Recently, I've been feeling like my liver fire is quite active, with my eyes often feeling dry and irritated, and I get angry more easily. I heard from someone that American ginseng can help reduce liver fire—do you know if that's true?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Zhang Xiuhong
Under normal circumstances, American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) can help reduce excessive liver heat.
Excessive liver heat typically refers to hyperactivity of liver function, leading to rising body yang energy and insufficient yin fluids. This may manifest in various symptoms such as dry and bitter mouth, irritability, anger, insomnia, and vivid dreams. In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), American ginseng is believed to have functions of nourishing qi and yin, clearing heat, and promoting body fluid production. It is commonly used to treat symptoms such as deficiency of both qi and yin, dry cough due to lung dryness, and internal heat with excessive thirst. For symptoms of excessive liver heat caused by insufficient liver yin or hyperactivity of liver yang, American ginseng can help alleviate these symptoms by nourishing yin and reducing internal heat.
Although American ginseng is considered effective in reducing excessive liver heat, it is not suitable for everyone. Particularly, special populations such as pregnant women, young children, and individuals with coagulation disorders should avoid using American ginseng. Moreover, the causes of excessive liver heat are complex and may be related to multiple factors such as lifestyle, dietary habits, and emotional stress.
When using American ginseng to reduce excessive liver heat, it should be done under the guidance of a qualified physician or TCM practitioner. The medication should be appropriately administered according to individual constitution and specific medical conditions, avoiding self-medication to prevent unnecessary health risks.
