Xī Yáng Shēn (西洋参), known in English as American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius), is a cool, sweet and slightly bitter Chinese herb from the Tonify qi category. It enters the Heart, Lung and Kidney channels. Its main action: tonifies qi, nourishes Yin, generates fluids — cooling tonic.
| Pinyin | Xī Yáng Shēn (Xi Yang Shen) |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 西洋参 |
| English | American ginseng |
| Botanical name | Panax quinquefolius |
| Category | Tonify qi |
| Nature | Cool |
| Flavour | Sweet, Slightly bitter |
| Channels | Heart, Lung, Kidney |
| Dosage | 3–6g (decoct separately or dissolve) |
| Cautions | Spleen deficiency with Cold-Damp; no Yin deficiency |
Actions
- Tonifies qi, nourishes Yin, generates fluids — cooling tonic
- Clears deficiency Heat
Indications
- Qi and Yin deficiency with Heat signs: fatigue, dry cough, thirst, afternoon fever
- Diabetes
- Post-febrile recovery
How to remember Xī Yáng Shēn
Tonify qi herbs are mostly sweet, and most enter the Spleen, Lung and Stomach channels.
- You can work these out
- Sweet, Lung channel: like most Tonify qi herbs
- Learn by heart
- Cool: Tonify qi herbs vary in nature
- Slightly bitter: unusual for Tonify qi herbs (most are sweet)
- Heart and Kidney channels: nothing in its group or its actions points to them
Other Tonify qi herbs
Test yourself
What is the nature and flavour of Xī Yáng Shēn?
Xī Yáng Shēn is cool and sweet and slightly bitter.
Which channels does Xī Yáng Shēn enter?
Xī Yáng Shēn enters the Heart, Lung and Kidney channels.
What are the actions of Xī Yáng Shēn?
Tonifies qi, nourishes Yin, generates fluids — cooling tonic; Clears deficiency Heat.
What is Xī Yáng Shēn used for?
Qi and Yin deficiency with Heat signs: fatigue, dry cough, thirst, afternoon fever; diabetes; post-febrile recovery.
Practise Xī Yáng Shēn and the other 290 herbs
Recognise each herb from its picture, recall its nature, flavour, channels and actions, and review it again just before you would forget it.
Try the 5-question herb quizShen Study is a study tool. Doses and cautions are as taught in standard Chinese materia medica texts; they are not prescribing advice.