Both Western ginseng and Salvia miltiorrhiza are common medicinal herbs. Western ginseng contains amino acids, vitamins, and other nutrients, which can nourish qi and yin, tonify the stomach, and generate body fluids. Salvia miltiorrhiza has the effect of promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis, and can be used for irregular menstruation and traumatic injuries. So, which one is better, Western ginseng or Salvia miltiorrhiza? And what are the differences between them?
Differences in Origin
Western ginseng: Western ginseng is native to Canada and the United States, also known as American ginseng or American Panax. It is a perennial herbaceous plant of the Araliaceae family.
Salvia miltiorrhiza: Salvia miltiorrhiza is harvested in spring and autumn, cleaned of mud, and dried. It is the dried root and rhizome of the Labiatae plant Salvia miltiorrhiza, which is distributed in most parts of China.
Differences in Appearance
Western ginseng: The main root is round or spindle-shaped, and the rhizome is short, sometimes branching. The entire plant is hairless, with a light yellow or yellow-white surface, fine and longitudinal stripes, full and firm texture, clean cut surface, and distinct chrysanthemum-like texture.
Salvia miltiorrhiza: It is long and cylindrical, slightly curved, with multiple roots. The top sometimes retains the stem base. The surface is brownish-red or dark brownish-red, rough, and longitudinally wrinkled. The outer skin of the old root is loose and often shows a purple-brown color in a scale-like peeling pattern. It has a hard and brittle texture, loose cross-section, yellow-white color of vascular bundles, and a radial arrangement.
Differences in Taste
Western ginseng: Western ginseng tastes sweet and slightly bitter, with a strong sweet and bitter taste in the sliced roots, and can penetrate the throat.
Salvia miltiorrhiza: Salvia miltiorrhiza has a mild aroma and a slightly bitter and astringent taste.
Differences in Efficacy
Western ginseng: Western ginseng has the effects of nourishing qi and yin, clearing heat, and generating body fluids. It is suitable for qi deficiency and yin deficiency, internal heat, long-term cough due to lung deficiency, cough with wheezing and phlegm and blood, and deficiency heat fatigue, etc. The recommended dosage is 3-6g.
Salvia miltiorrhiza: Salvia miltiorrhiza has the effects of promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis, regulating menstruation and relieving pain, clearing the heart and removing vexation, cooling blood and dissipating abscesses. It is mainly used for chest pain, pain in the epigastric region, abdominal pain, mass accumulation, hot bi pain, restlessness and insomnia, irregular menstruation, dysmenorrhea, and painful sores and swellings.
Which One is Better, Western Ginseng or Salvia Miltiorrhiza?
Each has its own strengths.
Western ginseng and Salvia miltiorrhiza are common medicinal herbs, both of which have the effect of clearing heat and relieving vexation. Western ginseng mainly works to nourish qi and nourish yin, while Salvia miltiorrhiza focuses on promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis. "Bencao Congxin" records that Western ginseng "nourishes the lungs, reduces fire, generates body fluids, and relieves fatigue. It is suitable for those who are deficient in qi and have internal heat." In addition to nourishing qi, Western ginseng also has the effects of generating body fluids, moistening the lungs, and clearing heat. It can both nourish qi and nourish yin. Salvia miltiorrhiza and Western ginseng have unique medicinal effects and cannot be simply compared.
