Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma Rubra
Aliases：Chaoxian Hongshen (Korean Red Ginseng), Biezhishen, Dongyangshen (Oriental Ginseng)
Gao Li Shen (Korean Red Ginseng), a Chinese medicinal, is produced from the cultivated roots of Panax ginseng C. A. Mey. (family Araliaceae) through processing by steaming. It is mainly produced in South Korea and North Korea and is a representative type of red ginseng.
Efficacy & Actions
Greatly tonify original qi, restore the pulse and rescue collapse, tonify the spleen and benefit the lung, generate fluids and nourish blood, calm the spirit and benefit intellect.
Indications
Debility with impending collapse, cold extremities and faint pulse, poor appetite due to spleen deficiency, wheezing and cough due to lung deficiency, thirst due to fluid damage, internal heat with wasting thirst disorder, deficiency of both qi and blood, chronic illness with debility and emaciation, palpitations with insomnia, impotence and uterine coldness.
Modern Pharmacology
Enhances immunity: Increases the phagocytic function of macrophages and raises immunoglobulin levels. Anti‑fatigue: Improves physical endurance and alleviates debility and fatigue. Anti‑stress and anti‑shock: Enhances tolerance to adverse stimuli and raises blood pressure. Protects the cardiovascular system: Strengthens cardiac contraction, dilates blood vessels, protects against myocardial ischemia, and exhibits antiarrhythmic effects. Regulates the central nervous system: Improves learning and memory, and shows bidirectional regulation of excitability. Antitumor: Ginsenosides Rg₃, Rh₂, etc., induce apoptosis of tumor cells and inhibit metastasis. Antioxidant and anti‑aging: Scavenges free radicals and delays aging. Hepatoprotective: Promotes hepatocyte regeneration and reduces chemical‑induced liver injury. Regulates endocrine function: Enhances the function of the pituitary‑adrenal cortex system. Lowers blood glucose: Exhibits hypoglycemic effects.
Ingredients
Ginsenosides: Ginsenosides Rb₁, Rb₂, Rc, Rd, Re, Rg₁, Rg₂, Rg₃, Rh₁, Rh₂, etc. Red ginseng contains higher levels of unique components such as ginsenosides Rg₃ and Rh₂. Ginseng polysaccharides: Immunomodulatory effects. Volatile oils: Ginseng sesquiterpenes, panaxynol (ginseng alcohol), etc. Amino acids and peptides: Various amino acids and ginseng peptides. Others: Maltol (characteristic aroma component of red ginseng), organic acids, vitamins, trace elements, etc.
Usage & Dosage
Internal use: 3–9 g in decoction (a large dose may be increased to 15 g); ground into powder, 1–2 g each time; or used in pills, powders, extracts, or wine preparations. Emergency use: For critical cases with collapse, a large dose (15–30 g) may be decocted alone as a concentrated decoction and taken in a single dose (e.g., Dushen Tang – Single Ginseng Decoction). Precautions: Contraindicated in cases of excess patterns, heat patterns, or early‑stage external contraction (e.g., common cold with fever). Should not be used together with Veratrum nigrum (Lilu) or Trogopterus faeces (Wulingzhi) – according to the “Eighteen Incompatibilities” and “Nineteen Incompatibilities” theories. During the course of medication, avoid radish (which reduces the qi‑tonifying effect) and strong tea (tannic acid may interfere with absorption).
Contraindications
Contraindicated populations: Avoid in cases of excess patterns (high fever, irritability, constipation), heat patterns (bleeding, oral sores), and early‑stage external contraction (common cold, fever). Use with caution in: Patients with hypertension (small doses may lower blood pressure; large doses may raise it); pregnant women and children should use with caution. Incompatibilities with other Chinese medicinals: Should not be used together with Veratrum nigrum (Lilu) or Trogopterus faeces (Wulingzhi) – according to the “Eighteen Incompatibilities” and “Nineteen Incompatibilities” theories. Dietary incompatibilities: Avoid radish (reduces the qi‑tonifying effect) and strong tea (tannic acid affects absorption). Also avoid spicy, greasy, and fatty foods. Adverse reactions: Overdose or long‑term use may cause “ginseng abuse syndrome”: insomnia, palpitations, hypertension, skin rash, diarrhea, etc.
Selected Formulas
1. Emergency treatment Large doses (0.3–1 liang, approx. 15–50 g) decocted orally or ginseng injection for cardiogenic shock and critical life-threatening conditions. Combined with prepared aconite (Fuzi) for Yang collapse. 2. Cardiovascular diseases Effective for hypertension, myocardial malnutrition, coronary heart disease, angina pectoris, etc. Small doses raise blood pressure; large doses lower it. Recommended dosage for adults: 0.2–3 qian (approx. 1–15 g) per day; extract (20–40 drops each time, 2–3 times daily); tincture (5 ml each time, 2–3 times daily); powder (3–6 fen, approx. 1–2 g each time, 2–3 times daily). 3. Gastric and liver diseases For chronic gastritis (with low or absent gastric acid), improves symptoms and increases appetite. May prevent acute hepatitis from becoming chronic. 4. Diabetes mellitus Improves general condition. For mild cases, lowers blood glucose (by 40–50 mg%); the effect may last for more than 2 weeks after withdrawal. For moderate cases, glucose reduction is not significant but symptoms improve, and insulin dosage may be reduced. 5. Psychiatric disorders Effective for asthenic and asthenic‑depressive types of psychosis (regardless of etiology). 6. Neurasthenia Stimulates the central nervous system, increases activity capacity, reduces fatigue, and relieves headache, insomnia, and general weakness. 7. Impotence Enhances gonadal function. Ginseng tincture is effective for paralytic and premature ejaculation types of impotence, but not for psychogenic type; also effective for cortical and spinal impotence caused by neurasthenia. 8. Other uses Improves visual acuity and dark adaptation. Contraindications: Avoid in cases of excess patterns (sudden qi stagnation with wheezing, dry throat due to heat, impulsive hematemesis or epistaxis from a moment of anger).
Daily Consumption
Korean Red Ginseng Chicken Soup: 5–10g ginseng, 1 hen, 5 red dates, 10g goji berries. Blanch chicken, stew with ginseng, dates, goji for 2 hours. Greatly tonifies yuan qi, nourishes deficiency. Korean Red Ginseng Tea: 3–5g ginseng (sliced). Steep in boiling water for 10 minutes. Supplements qi, refreshes mind, anti‑fatigue. Korean Red Ginseng Congee: 3g ginseng (powder), 50g japonica rice. Cook rice into congee, stir in ginseng powder. Fortifies spleen and supplements qi; for poor appetite due to spleen deficiency. Korean Red Ginseng Wine: 30g ginseng, 500ml white liquor. Seal and steep for 15–30 days. Take 10–15ml daily. Warms and tonifies qi and blood; for deficiency‑cold constitution.
Medicinal Parts
processed root and rhizome.
Selection & Storage
Store in a cool, dry place in an airtight container, protected from moisture and insects. Korean Red Ginseng becomes hard in texture after steaming and is more resistant to spoilage than fresh (sun‑dried) ginseng, but still requires protection from mold and insects.