White Ginseng Root

White Ren Shen is the “raw” form of Korean or Chinese ginseng (Panax ginseng), simply washed and sun-dried without steaming.

Its roots, of a creamy white-yellow, give off a mild, earthy, faintly sweet scent.

It is the oldest and most orthodox form of ginseng in the pharmacopoeia: its name 人参 means literally “the plant in the shape of a man”, in reference to the humanoid silhouette of its well-formed roots.

More neutral than its red version, it is also more widely usable.

The great material of the Qi supplementing register above all others, the historical foundation of the supplementing pharmacopoeia.

Traditionally used for constitutions of deficient Qi, when the breath weakens and the forces withdraw.

More neutral in temperature than the red form, it suits constitutions at once weakened and slightly heated, where the red would run too hot.

• Slow decoction (Ling Jian 另煎): 3 to 9 g, simmered on its own for 30 to 45 minutes, then added to the preparation
• Supplementing broth: a few slices in a soup simmered for 1 to 2 hours
• Si Jun Zi Tang: “decoction of the four gentlemen”: Ren Shen, Bai Zhu, Fu Ling, Gan Cao — the foundation of the Earth Qi supplementing register
• Sheng Mai San: with Mai Men Dong and Wu Wei Zi, in the register of the Qi and of engendering the Liquids

A powerful supplementing preparation: not advised in cases of settled heat, of excess Yang rising, of fullness, or during an acute episode.

Strictly avoid black radish (Lai Fu Zi). Classical incompatibility with Wu Ling Zhi and Li Lu (Veratrum). Ask a practitioner for advice.