Blood ginseng, a traditional Chinese medicine, is the root of the leguminous plant Hedysarum polybotrys. It has the effects of clearing heat, resolving surface, transforming phlegm, promoting diuresis, activating blood circulation, and relieving pain. It is commonly used for fever, cough, lung abscess, pediatric asthma, urinary tract infection, jaundice, stomach pain, chest pain, abdominal pain, rheumatism, irregular menstruation, boils and carbuncles, and erysipelas. Let's take a closer look at the efficacy and actions of blood ginseng.
1. Nature and Channels
Blood ginseng is slightly bitter and warm in nature. It belongs to the lung and spleen channels.
"Fujian Folk Herbs": Bitter, slightly pungent, warm.
"Guiyang Folk Medicinal Herbs": Slightly bitter, astringent, mild, non-toxic (tastes sweet after cooking).
"Min Dong Herbal Medicine": Enters the lung and spleen channels.
2. Efficacy and Actions of Blood Ginseng
Blood ginseng has the effects of clearing heat, resolving surface, transforming phlegm, promoting diuresis, activating blood circulation, and relieving pain. It is used for fever, cough, lung abscess, pediatric asthma, urinary tract infection, jaundice, stomach pain, chest pain, abdominal pain, rheumatism, irregular menstruation, boils and carbuncles, and erysipelas.
1. "Guiyang Folk Medicinal Herbs": "Nourishes blood and promotes blood circulation."
2. "National Compilation of Chinese Medicinal Herbs": "Resolves surface and dampness, relieves pain, stops bleeding. It is used for cold, cough, headache, pediatric phlegm wheezing, stomach pain, jaundice, angina pectoris, lower back pain, uterine bleeding, early breast cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, boils, snake bites."
3. "Fujian Folk Herbs": Activates blood circulation, promotes qi movement, eliminates dampness, detoxifies.
4. "Min Dong Herbal Medicine": Clears surface heat, transforms phlegm, relieves cough. It is used for cold with cough, chills and fever, headache and body pain, pediatric convulsions, abdominal pain from worms, abdominal pain from blood stasis in women.
3. Dosage and Administration
Orally: Decoction, 9-15 grams (fresh 30-60 grams); or stew with meat. External use: Crush and apply as a poultice.
4. Application in Formula
1. Treatment for pediatric phlegm wheezing: 30 grams of dried blood ginseng root. Boil with water, add honey to drink. ("Min Dong Herbal Medicine")
2. Treatment for lung abscess: 60 grams of fresh blood ginseng and 60 grams of bitter arrowroot. Roast and grind into powder, mix with pig liver and consume. ("Min Dong Herbal Medicine")
3. Treatment for cloudy urine: 60 grams of blood ginseng, 15 grams of rhubarb, and 15 grams of achyranthes. After decoction, add 500 grams of crucian carp (unwashed), 6 grams of ginger, 3 grams of scallion, and 15 grams of vinegar. Drink the soup. ("Guiyang Folk Medicinal Herbs")
4. Treatment for yellowing of the whole body and weakness in the limbs: 90 grams of blood ginseng and half a catty of tofu. Stew and consume. ("Fujian Folk Herbs")
5. Precautions
Be cautious in using it for patients with deficiency and cough, as well as pregnant women.
