Ancient Chinese Medical Benefits

Ginseng has been an ancient staple of traditional Chinese and herbal medicine for thousands of years, and is a cornerstone in the Yin-Yang concept to balance the body and prolong the quality of life.

From a traditional Chinese medicine point of view, the human body has organic unity. The sense of unity is based on the opposing and complementary relationships of yin and yang. Health is achieved when yin and yang are in harmony. Based on the Yin Yang theory, Yin Yang disharmony is the cause of disease and physiological disorders. Disharmony means the proportions of yin and yang is unequal and unbalanced. When one aspect is deficient, the other is in excess.

There are many factors that cause yin and yang disharmony, but they are all related to the "evils" (outside influences that cause disease) and the flow of qi throughout the body. When a person has normal qi flow, his or her body functions well and has good immunity allowing it to recover from illness more easily. Normal qi is composed of yang qi (physiological functions and energy) and yin fluid (physical form and the physiological fluid of body), while the "pernicious evils" are composed of six evils. Cold and dampness belong to yin evils while wind, dryness, summer heat, and fire belong to yang evils. Hence from the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine, disease results from either a deficiency of normal qi (deficiency of yin fluid or a deficiency of yang qi) or an excess of the "pernicious evils" (excess of yin evils or yang evils). The conflict between resuming normal qi and getting rid of the "pernicious evils" is what allows the disease to either progress or transform back to a healthy state. By applying the yin yang theory to treat and diagnose diseases, yin yang harmony can be restored and health maintained.

As American Ginseng has a more cooling nature, it can be used during hot weather conditions. On the other hand as Asian or Korean Ginseng is warmer in nature, they are fit for colder conditions. While the American ginseng is considered to be more relaxing and sedative, the Korean ginseng is considered to be invigorating and stimulating. Another difference can be perceived between American ginseng and Asian or Korean ginseng is in its potency. While American ginseng comes with a mild qi-boosting effect, the Korean ginseng has a stronger effect.

Generally speaking, American Ginseng is believed to promote yin energy, and it is used to cool down the body during fever or while one is in a hot climate. Korean ginseng is known to promote yang energy in the body, and it helps in revitalizing the natural heat of the body and also helps in the improvement of blood circulation.

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