How to use 西洋蔘, 花旗蔘 American Ginseng?

Based on Webmd.com, American Ginseng (DO NOT confuse it with regular ginseng, they have different medical use) had become so popular these days that some states declare wild American Ginseng endanger species in USA.

Medical researchers showed American Ginseng can helping insomnia, high blood pressure, diabetes or prevent cold…etc.  It had also been used to boost immune system and help to battle AIDS. 

In the Traditional Chinese Medicine perspective, American Ginseng not only can increase the Yang qi (live energy, if lack of it will result in tiredness, feeling cold and heaviness) as Korean or Asian Ginseng, but also can help to promote Ying essence (liquid essence in human body, lack of it can result in dryness in mouth and skin, thirsty, deficiency heat, menstrual disorder…etc.)  And because American Ginseng has cold attribute, it has lower risk than regular ginseng to generate too much heat in human body.

Chronic use:

1. Start with the smallest root in the box, after quick wash then put it in a hot water container.

2. Fill it with hot (or warm) water, you can add a few crystal sugar if needed for better taste. 

3.  Drink when become warm (<43 degree C or 90F)

4. Refill the water bottle throughout the day. 

5. At night at least 3 hours before bed, you took the well soaked root out and cut it into little pieces,

6. put it in a zipped bag and put it in the refrigerator.

Soaked and cut American Ginseng

1. Next day repeat Step 3. (it should taste lighter yet similar, if not, suggest throw it away )

2. At night the taste should be almost like water, indicate most of the essence are out.  Now you can throw it away. 

(Take 2 cycles then rest for 2 days is suggested.)

Medical Usage:

 for adults 30~50g one time, please consult your TCM doctor.

Not-To-Use when:

• Catching a cold

• Diarrhea/ throw out

• Body, hand and feet feeling cold

• Drink it with cold water

• Before Bed

• Eating Radish

• Drinking tea or coffee

• Male suffering premature ejaculation

• Has allergy effects: itchiness, diarrhea, difficulty breathing, lose appetite, feeling very cold, female menstrual cycle disorder…etc.

• Take it overdose - too much stimulation can hurt your body