Traditional Chinese Medicine believes that ginseng has the effects of replenishing vital energy, tonifying the pulse, nourishing the spleen and lungs, generating body fluids, calming the mind, and enhancing intelligence, and is known as the "king of tonics". People like to add ginseng to soup or soak it in medicinal wine. However, many people do not know that although ginseng has tonic properties, there are precautions when taking it.
Eight types of people should be cautious when using ginseng:
1. People with strong allergic constitution should not take ginseng if they develop a rash after taking it. It is especially not suitable for use when there is purulent inflammation.
2. Hypertensive patients with excessive liver yang are prone to cerebrovascular accidents after taking ginseng. However, hypertensive patients with deficiency-cold can use ginseng, but the dosage should be small. When the systolic blood pressure is above 180mmHg, ginseng should not be taken by any type of hypertensive patient.
3. Many people know that it is not advisable to drink tea or eat radishes when taking ginseng, because both of these foods promote Qi circulation, while ginseng replenishes vital energy. Taking them together will neutralize their effects.
4. It is generally not advisable to take ginseng when having a cold and fever. Taking ginseng will increase blood circulation, which exacerbates palpitations during fever and worsens the condition.
5. Ginseng should not be used for asthma caused by sudden qi stagnation or dryness in the throat caused by heat, as well as for vomiting blood or nosebleeds caused by impulsive actions.
6. Edema caused by dampness and heat stagnation will worsen after taking ginseng. This is because ginseng has diuretic effects. In addition, it should be used with caution in patients with renal insufficiency and oliguria.
7. People with insomnia and irritability due to true heat syndrome should not take ginseng, as it will worsen their sleep.
8. People with excessive Qi, body heat, strong and slippery pulses, and difficulty in urination and defecation due to excess heat should not take ginseng.
Precautions for using ginseng: Different types of ginseng have different mechanisms of action. Generally speaking, American ginseng has a cooling nature and is generally used for heat syndromes such as high blood pressure and constipation. Korean ginseng has a warm nature and is suitable for cold syndromes. Among them, fresh and dried ginseng are considered as cooling tonics and are mainly used for Qi and Yin deficiency syndromes and symptoms.
