人参 Ren Shen
🌿 Ginseng
Ginseng — the Strong Tonic for Replenishing Vital Qi 大病之后，元气大伤？认识这味大补元气的人参
Post-surgery, recovering from a serious illness, after prolonged overwork, people often feel tired and weak, short of breath and disinclined to speak, and breaking into a sweat easily with even slight activity. From the perspective of Traditional Chinese Medicine, this may be related to Qi deficiency — and Ginseng is a herb with a relatively strong Qi-tonifying effect.
做完手术、大病初愈，或是长期劳累之后，常常觉得疲倦乏力、气短懒言，稍微活动就容易出汗。在传统中医看来，这可能与气虚有关，而人参正是一味补气力量较强的中药。
Ginseng is sweet, slightly bitter, and slightly warm in nature. Its traditional functions include replenishing vital Qi, supporting the Spleen and Lungs, promoting fluids, nourishing the blood, and calming the mind. It is used not only for depleted vital Qi, but also for patterns such as Spleen-and-Lung Qi deficiency and Qi-and-fluid insufficiency; it is the representative herb among the Qi tonics.
人参味甘、微苦，性微温，传统功效包括大补元气、补脾益肺、生津养血、安神益智。它不仅用于元气亏虚，也常用于脾肺气虚、气津不足等证候，是中医补气药中的代表药材。
1. How to Choose Ginseng 一、怎样挑选人参？
When choosing Ginseng, first understand the difference between Sun-Dried Ginseng and Red Ginseng. Both come from the root of the same plant; they differ in the processing method. Sun-Dried Ginseng is simply dried and is slightly warm in nature. Red Ginseng is steamed before drying, warmer in nature, and has a relatively stronger warming-tonifying effect. For more information on the difference between the two, see the "Red Ginseng" page of the HAN TCM Herbal Knowledge Wall.
选购人参，先认识生晒参和红参的区别。两者均来源于人参的根，只是加工方法不同。生晒参经过干燥等处理，性微温；红参经过蒸制后再干燥，性偏温，温补作用相对较强。更多关于两者的区别，请参阅汉医堂中药知识墙《红参》篇。
When choosing Ginseng, look for the following:
挑选人参时，可以留意以下几点：
-
形
Shape · 外形 An intact root with its natural rhizome neck and fine rootlets.
根条完整，具有自然的芦头和须根。 -
面
Cross-section · 断面 Sun-Dried Ginseng is usually pale yellowish-white inside; Red Ginseng is usually reddish-brown.
生晒参断面多呈淡黄白色，红参断面多呈红棕色。 -
香
Smell · 气味 A natural ginseng aroma, without any obvious off-odour.
具有自然的参香，没有明显异味。 -
质
Quality · 品质 Choose products free of mould and insect damage, with clear packaging and a clear origin.
选择无霉变、无虫蛀、包装及来源清楚的产品。
Why is wild Ginseng so expensive? Wild Ginseng grows over a long period and is scarce, so it commands a high price. Wild and cultivated Ginseng do differ in the content and composition of some ginsenosides.
For everyday care, there is no need to purchase wild mountain Ginseng — reliably cultivated Ginseng is also a good choice.
野山参生长周期长、资源稀少，因此价格较高。野生参与种植参在部分人参皂苷的含量和组成上有所不同。对于一般调理而言，不必一味追求野山参，选择品质可靠的种植参也可以。
2. What Does Ginseng Do? 二、人参有什么作用？
TCM traditionally holds the view that Ginseng has four main functions:
传统中医认为，人参主要有以下四方面的功效：
Replenishing Vital Qi
For depleted vital Qi, with symptoms like shortness of breath, fatigue, and low spirits.
用于元气亏虚、气短乏力、精神不振等情况。
Supporting the Spleen and Lungs
For poor appetite, bloating after meals, chronic loose stools, and a weak cough caused by Spleen-and-Lung Qi deficiency.
适用于脾肺气虚所致的食欲不振、饭后腹胀、久泻、咳嗽无力等。
Promoting Fluids & Nourishing Blood
For dry mouth and fatigue caused by Qi-and-fluid insufficiency, suitable for weakness after a long illness.
用于气津不足所致的口干、乏力，以及久病后的虚弱表现。
Calming the Mind
For heart palpitations, poor sleep, and low spirits caused by Qi-and-blood insufficiency — one can consume Ginseng after assessment.
对于气血不足所致的心悸、失眠、精神不振等，可在辨证后使用。
Ginseng's defining feature is its strong Qi-tonifying power, and it is especially suited for people when vital-Qi depletion is pronounced. Whether it is suitable for you is dependent on your body constitution.
人参的特点是补气力量较强，尤其适用于元气亏虚较明显的情况。不过，是否适合使用，仍需结合具体证候判断。
3. Who Should Consult a Physician About Ginseng? 三、哪些人适合咨询医师，看看是否需要人参？
In the following situations, you can ask a TCM physician to assess whether Ginseng is suitable for you:
以下情况，可以请中医师评估是否适合使用人参：
- Recovering from a serious illness, with strength not yet restored · 大病初愈，体力尚未恢复。
- Long-term overwork, with a tendency to experience shortness of breath and fatigue · 长期劳累，容易气短、乏力。
- Poor appetite, feeling tired easily after meals · 食欲不振，饭后容易疲倦。
- Feeling weak after a long-term illness and sweating easily · 久病之后体虚、容易出汗。
- Qi-and-blood insufficiency, with heart palpitations and low spirits · 气血不足，伴有心悸、精神不振等表现。
Recovery is not only dependent on proper care, but also on adequate sleep, a balanced diet, and gradually increasing physical activity.
身体恢复除了适当调理，也离不开充足睡眠、均衡饮食和循序渐进的活动。
4. When Should You Be Cautious? 四、哪些情况需要谨慎使用人参？
Do not self-prescribe Ginseng in the following situations:
以下情况不建议自行服用人参：
- If you have a fever or an acute infection: identify the cause and deal with the current illness first. · 正在发热或处于急性感染期：应先明确病因，妥善处理当前病情。
- If you have a robust constitution with excess heat, or obvious internal-heat signs: Ginseng may not be suitable — have your pattern assessed first. · 体质实火或明显内热表现：未必适合使用人参，应先辨证。
- If your blood pressure is not well controlled, or you are already easily irritable or have insomnia: consult a physician before use. · 血压控制不理想，或本来就容易烦躁、失眠：使用前应咨询医师。
- If you are taking any other medication: inform your physician of all your medications, especially anticoagulants, antidiabetic drugs, and any others that may interact with Ginseng. · 正在服用其他药物：应告知医师全部用药，尤其是抗凝药、降糖药及其他可能与人参产生相互作用的药物。
- If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or managing a chronic condition: consult a physician before use. · 孕妇、哺乳期女性及慢性病患者：使用前应先咨询医师。
5. How to Use Ginseng at Home 五、人参怎么吃？
Common home uses include soups, double-boiling, and steeping the slices in water. Here are three everyday recipes.
人参常见的食用方法包括炖汤、隔水炖煮和参片泡水。以下介绍三种家常做法。
Ginseng 3–5g · 人参3–5克
Chicken 300g · 鸡肉300克
Red dates 3 · 红枣3枚
Ginger 2 slices · 生姜2片
Water — sufficient to cover by 1cm · 清水适量
Wash the chicken and blanch it. Put everything in a stewing pot and add water. Simmer over low heat for about 1–1.5 hours, until the chicken is tender.
鸡肉洗净，焯水后捞出。将所有材料放入炖锅，加入清水。小火炖煮约1–1.5小时，直至鸡肉熟软即可。
A light, naturally sweet soup — suited to those who prefer a milder stew. · 汤味鲜甜，适合喜欢清淡炖汤的人。
Ginseng 3g · 人参3克
Lean pork 200g · 瘦肉200克
Water — sufficient to cover by 1cm · 清水适量
Wash and cube the pork, then blanch it. Put the pork and Ginseng in a double-boiling pot and add the water. Double-boil for about 2 hours; season lightly at the end.
瘦肉洗净、切块，焯水后捞出。将瘦肉和人参放入炖盅，加入清水。隔水炖约2小时，最后少量调味即可。
Simple to make, with a clean, gentle flavour — well suited for home cooking. · 做法简单，汤味清润，适合家庭炖煮。
Ginseng slices 1–2g · 人参片1–2克
Just-boiled water 300ml · 沸水约300毫升
Put the slices in a cup and pour in the boiling water. Cover and steep for 15–20 minutes. Re-steep until the flavour fades.
将人参片放入杯中，冲入沸水。加盖焖泡15–20分钟，可反复冲泡，直至参味变淡。
Steeping Ginseng slices is a quick and convenient method. The suggested amounts are general references; the right amount depends on your own situation. · 人参泡水方便快捷。以上用量仅供参考，具体用量应根据个人情况决定。
6. Common Questions About Ginseng 六、人参常见疑问
Ginseng is not considered as a daily supplement that everyone needs. Whether long-term use is right for you depends on your constitution, your pattern, and your actual needs — there is no need to take it every day just for the sake of tonifying.
人参并非人人都需要的日常保健品。是否适合长期使用，应根据体质、证候及实际需要决定，不必为了进补而天天吃。
All three tonify Qi, but each has its own character: Ginseng replenishes vital Qi with relatively strong tonifying power; Codonopsis Root tonifies Qi more gently, often used for Spleen-and-Lung Qi deficiency; American Ginseng tonifies Qi while also nourishing Yin and promoting fluids, often used for Qi-and-Yin deficiency.
三者都具有补气作用，但各有特点：人参大补元气，补气力量较强；党参补气较为平和，常用于脾肺气虚；西洋参补气兼养阴、生津，常用于气阴两虚的情况。
Not necessarily. A nosebleed can be related to a dry nasal passage, a small broken blood vessel, or other factors — it cannot simply be blamed on Ginseng. If you are also taking an anticoagulant and get a nosebleed after taking Ginseng, stop using it and find out the cause; if the bleeding does not stop, seek medical care promptly.
不一定。流鼻血可能与鼻腔干燥、局部血管破损或其他因素有关，不能直接认定是人参造成的。如果同时在服用抗凝药，食用人参后出现流鼻血，应暂停使用并了解原因；若出血持续不止，应及时就医。
Ginseng is a commonly used Qi tonic in TCM, best known for replenishing vital Qi. Understand its character and use it sensibly, according to your own constitution — that is how the herb's value is realised.
人参是中医常用的补气药，尤其以大补元气见长。了解它的特性，根据个人体质合理使用，才能发挥药材的价值。
This article is for general herbal knowledge only and does not replace individualised diagnosis or treatment. For herbal therapy, please consult a qualified TCM physician. · 本文仅供中医药知识科普，不代替个别化诊疗。如需使用中药调理，请咨询合格中医师。