The red hairy five-leaved ginseng skin is the stem bark or root bark of the five-leaved ginseng plant in the Araliaceae family. Red hairy five-leaved ginseng skin dispels wind and dampness, promotes joint health, strengthens muscles and bones, and improves blood circulation and water metabolism.
Can pregnant women consume red hairy five-leaved ginseng skin?
No, it is not recommended for pregnant women to consume it. It may have adverse effects on the normal development of the fetus.
Authentic five-leaved ginseng skin
According to the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, the five-leaved ginseng skin is the dried root bark of the Acanthopanax gracilistylus W.W.Smith plant in the Araliaceae family. The roots are harvested in summer and autumn, washed, peeled, and dried.
It is irregularly cylindrical, 5-15cm long, with a diameter of 0.4-1.4cm and a thickness of about 0.2cm.
The outer surface is grayish-brown with slightly twisted longitudinal wrinkles and long transverse skin pores. The inner surface is light yellow or grayish-yellow with fine longitudinal wrinkles.
It is light, brittle, and easy to break, with a neat gray-white cross-section. It has a slight fragrance, a mildly spicy and bitter taste.
Red hairy five-leaved ginseng skin
According to the production and sales of Chinese herbal medicine, the red hairy five-leaved ginseng skin is the stem bark of the Acanthopanax leucorrhizus var.fulvescens Harms and Acanthopanax giraldii Harms plants.
In June and July, the stems and branches are cut down and beaten with a wooden stick to separate the wood from the bark. The stem bark is peeled and dried. It is cylindrical, 20-30cm long, with a diameter of 0.5-1.5cm and a thickness of 0.5-1mm.
The outer surface is yellow or yellow-brown, covered with reddish-brown hairy needle-like thorns pointing downward. The nodes have bud scars. The inner surface is yellow-green or light brown and smooth.
It is light, brittle, and easy to break. It has a faint smell and a mild taste. It is a variety specified in the Sichuan Pharmacopoeia.
