The difference between Chinese ginseng and American ginseng Which is better, Chinese ginseng or American ginseng?

Radix Codonopsis can nourish the middle and vital energy, strengthen the spleen and lung, nourish the blood and promote the production of body fluid, while Radix et Rhizoma Ginseng is a nourishing herb with the effect of tonifying the vital energy and calming the mind. So what are the differences between Radix Codonopsis and Radix et Rhizoma Ginseng?

Difference in shape

Radix Codonopsis pilosulae is the root of Radix Codonopsis pilosulae or Chuan Codonopsis pilosulae, which is preferred for its large, stout, thick cortex, lion's head reed and horizontal lines, greasy texture, sweet taste and no dregs when chewed. Radix Codonopsis can be used raw, while fried Radix Codonopsis has enhanced its medicinal effect of strengthening the spleen and stomach, and honey roasted Radix Codonopsis moistens the lung and benefits the yin and tonifies the middle energy. American ginseng is the root of American ginseng of the family Cinchonaceae, sliced and used raw. It is native to North America, hence the title of Western Ginseng. It is spun conical, cylindrical or long conical in shape, with light yellow surface and transverse ring pattern. It is preferred to have uniform strips, hard texture, light body, tight horizontal lines on the surface, clear aroma and strong taste.

Difference in nature and taste

Radix Codonopsis pilosulae is flat and sweet in nature, belongs to the spleen and lung meridians, and is a commonly used tonic herb. Radix et Rhizoma Ginseng is cold in nature and slightly bitter in taste, and has the effect of tonifying the qi and nourishing the yin, clearing heat and generating fluid.

Differences in medicinal effects

It can nourish the vital energy, nourish the yin, clear heat and promote the production of body fluid, and nourish the yin and moisten the lung. It is often used for symptoms such as distress and thirst, insomnia and dreaminess, palpitation and dizziness, body heat and sweating, fatigue and shortness of breath caused by fever and injury to both qi and yin. Radix Codonopsis pilosulae has the effect of tonifying the middle of the body, nourishing blood and generating fluids, strengthening the spleen and benefiting the lung. The power of tonifying qi is more moderate, which can nourish the qi of the spleen and lung, and also nourish blood and generate fluids. It is often used for symptoms such as weakness of the spleen and stomach, weakness of the limbs, loose stools, coughing and asthma in the lung, deficiency of qi and blood, and internal heat and thirst.

Difference in origin

American ginseng is native to Canada, the United States and France, and the one produced in the United States is called American ginseng. American ginseng is also cultivated in northeast China, Hebei, Jiangxi, Hunan, etc. Western ginseng is a good tonic for Yin, and there are many different kinds and quality differences. Party ginseng is mostly produced in southeastern Tibet, eastern Gansu, Ningxia, Qinghai and other regions in China. Experiments have shown that the quality of Taoist herbs produced in the Taoist production areas of Shanxi Province, Gansu Province and northeast China is better than that of non-Taoist production areas such as Sichuan and Xinjiang.

Price difference

The price of imported American ginseng is much higher than that of domestic American ginseng. The current market price of domestic American ginseng is about 200 yuan per catty, while the price of party ginseng is about 100 yuan per catty, and the price will vary according to the quality of herbs.

Which is better: Party ginseng or American ginseng?

Both American ginseng and Radix et Rhizoma Ginseng are qi tonic herbs, but they differ in their medicinal functions. Party ginseng tonifies the middle and nourishes the qi, nourishes the blood and promotes the production of body fluid, which is suitable for people with weak spleen and lung and insufficient qi and blood, while American ginseng tonifies the qi and nourishes the yin, clears the fire and promotes the production of body fluid. It is suitable for those who suffer from deficiency of Qi and Yin due to heat illness. Western ginseng and Radix et Rhizoma Ginseng, one is clear and the other is tonic, with different mechanisms.