De-confusing Ginseng

In my approach to maintain my health, I incorporate selected ginseng
in my health programme:  

   My daily multivitamin contains panax ginseng (ren shen). 

   I enjoy an occasional cuppa of wild American ginseng (fa kei sum)
       tea in the afternoon. 

   On weekends, I boil dang shen (codonopsis) with red dates and
       wolf-berries as a drink. 

   Then home-prepared dinners would likely include a soup with ren shen.  

   When I notice an onset of any mouth ulcer, I drink a brew of shen xu to
    detox, cool my internals and restore balance.

Are you confused with the variety of ginseng?  It was the same for me in
the beginning but investment of time in traditional chinese medical halls
and reading books on chinese herbs have enhanced my knowledge.

Here is a short introduction to four types of ginseng* used most frequently among the Chinese:

Panax ginseng a.k.a. Chinese ginseng, ren shen. One of the most used herbs. Valued for its revitalising properties. Value increases with age and price usually reflects it. Harvested only after 6 years. Warming in nature. Activates circulation and modulates endocrine glands and brain function(anti-stress). Tonifies lungs and spleen. Panacea for serious exhaustion and aid restoration of energy after illness. Believed to be an elixir of longevity.

Wild American ginseng a.k.a. fa kei sum. Cooling in nature but with revitalising properties. Reduces heatiness, quenches thirst and restores energy levels. Influences lung, heart and kidney. Harvested after 4 years. Restorative for those with hectic and stressful lifestyle. Suitable for people with yang constitution.

Codonopsis root a.k.a. dang shen. Mildly warm in nature. Invigorates the spleen and stomach, tonifies lungs and nourishes blood (reduces leukocytosis). Those experiencing shortness of breath, thirst and fatigue will benefit. Lowest price of all ginseng but efficacy not compromised.

Notoginseng root a.k.a. tian qi. Hemostatic action more efficacious if harvested between 3-7 years. Valued for elimination of blood stasis, anti-inflammation, reducing pain, and to stop bleeding. Widely used in treating traumatic injuries. Influences liver and spleen. Some evidence show effective to treat narowing of arteries in heart, aids lowering cholesterol and fat. Expedite growth children and relieves growth pain in teenagers.

*Sources:  Eu Yan Sang Anthology of Chinese Herbs & Medicine (1998), Introduction to Chinese herbs of geo-specific habitat (2004)