There are several herbs in TCM which have Shen in their names. These are Ren Shen (人參), Dan Shen (丹參), Dang Shen (黨蔘), Tai Zi Shen (太子蔘), Ku Shen (苦蔘), Xuan Shen (玄蔘) and Sha Shen (沙蔘). Let's take a closer look at the differences between these herbs.
Ren Shen (人參) - Ginseng Radix:
Ren Shen, also known as Ginseng Radix, is a warm herb that is sweet and bitter in taste, targeting the Spleen, Lung, and Heart channels. Ren Shen has been traditionally used to tonify the primordial qi, which is the essential energy that supports life. It is also used to strengthen the Spleen, tonify the Lungs, generate fluids to stop thirst, benefit the Heart, and calm the shen, or spirit. Ren Shen is often employed in TCM formulas for fatigue, weak digestion, and to support the immune system.
Dan Shen (丹參) - Salviae miltiorrhizae Radix:
Dan Shen(丹參) , which translates to red ginseng in Chinese, is known for its striking red root. It is often confused with Hong Shen (紅蔘), another term for red ginseng in Chinese. While Hong Shen refers to processed Ren Shen, Dan Shen represents a distinct species altogether. Dan Shen is a cooling herb that is bitter in taste, entering the Heart, Pericardium, and Liver channels. Dan Shen has been traditionally used to invigorate blood and dispel blood stasis, clear heat, and relieve irritability. It is also used to cool blood and reduce abscesses. In modern TCM, Dan Shen has been used to treat cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, as it has been shown to have anti-inflammatory, antiplatelet, and antioxidant effects.
Dang Shen (黨蔘) - Codonopsis Radix:
Dang Shen, also known as Codonopsis Radix, is a neutral herb that is sweet in taste and targets the Spleen and Lung channels. Dang Shen has been traditionally used to tonify the Spleen and tonify qi, as well as to tonify the Lungs. In modern TCM, Dang Shen has been used to treat fatigue, anemia, and weak digestion.
Tai Zi Shen (太子蔘) - Pseudostellariae Radix:
Tai Zi Shen, or Pseudostellariae Radix, is a neutral herb that is sweet and bitter in taste, entering the Spleen and Lung channels. Tai Zi Shen has been traditionally used to tonify the Spleen and tonify qi, as well as to generate fluids and stop thirst. In modern TCM, Tai Zi Shen has been used to treat lung diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and to support the immune system.
Sha Shen (沙蔘) - Glehniae/Adenophorae Radix:
Sha Shen, also known as Glehniae/Adenophorae Radix, is a cooling herb that is sweet and bitter in taste, targeting the Lung and Stomach channels. Sha Shen has been traditionally used to nourish the Lung yin and relieve cough, as well as to nourish the Stomach yin and generate fluids. In modern TCM, Sha Shen has been used to treat chronic coughing.
Ku Shen (苦蔘) - Sophorae Flavescentis Radix
Ku Shen means bitter ginseng. Its root carried a cold and bitter temperament, which flowed harmoniously with the energies of the Large Intestine, Liver, Heart, Small Intestine, and Bladder channels. Healers would often prescribe doses between 3 to 9 grams to benefit from its powerful properties. Ku Shen was revered for its abilities to clear heat and dry dampness, dispel wind, and kill parasites. It also promoted urination, ensuring the proper balance of fluids within the body. However, like all remedies, Ku Shen was not without its limitations. Those with deficiency-cold of the Spleen and Stomach were advised to steer clear of this potent herb.
![현삼(국산) 300g 특등품]](https://www.jeongseonjae.com/shopimages/kyungdong/0740010003923.jpg) |
| Xuan Shen |
Xuan Shen (玄蔘) - Scrophulariae Radix.
Xuan Shen literally means black ginseng. It has dark colored root looks like ginseng. Xuan Shen had a fascinating mixture of tastes, encompassing cold, bitter, sweet, and salty notes. It held a deep connection with the Lung, Stomach, and Kidney channels, with doses ranging from 9 to 30 grams. Xuan Shen was highly regarded for its ability to clear heat and cool the blood, nourish yin, and soften hardness while dissipating nodules. Despite its incredible healing properties, caution was urged for those with deficiency-cold of the Spleen and Stomach, as Xuan Shen was not recommended for these individuals.
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| Ci Wu Jia |
Ci Wu Jia (刺五加) - Eleutherococcus senticosus
Additionally, another herb worth mentioning is called Siberian Ginseng, also known as Ci Wu Jia (刺五加). Ci Wu Jia is a plant species belonging to the family Araliaceae. Its scientific name is Eleutherococcus senticosus. It is native to Northeastern Asia, including Russia, China, Korea, and Japan. Ci Wu Jia is commonly referred to as "Siberian ginseng" because it has similar properties to ginseng, such as adaptogenic effects, and is native to Siberia. Ci Wu Jia has been used for centuries in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) as a tonic herb to support general health and well-being. It is considered an adaptogen, which means it can help the body cope with physical and mental stress. In TCM, Ci Wu Jia is believed to tonify the Spleen and Kidney meridians, strengthen the bones and tendons, and enhance the body's resistance to disease. Ci Wu Jia can also be used to treat fatigue, stress, and other conditions related to weakness and exhaustion.
In overall, Ren Shen, Dang Shen, and Tai Zi Shen are primarily used to tonify Spleen and Lung Qi. While Ren Shen is warm in nature, both Dang Shen and Tai Zi Shen are neutral. On the other hand, Sha Shen and Dan Shen are cool in nature, with Sha Shen being commonly used for Lung dryness and Dan Shen for Heart blood stagnation. Kun Shen and Xuan Shen both have cold propery and clear heat. Kun Shen and Xuan Shen are not used to augment Qi. These herbs, along with the adaptogenic Siberian Ginseng, or Ci Wu Jia, play significant roles in TCM as tonifying herbs.
Summary
- Ren Shen, Dang Shen, Tai Zi Shen, Ci Wu Jia - tonify Qi
- Sha Shen, Xuan Shen - mildly nourish Yin
- Ku Shen, Xuan Shen, Dan Shen - clear heat
- Dan Shen - invigorate blood
- Xuan Shen - cool blood
Name | Category | Nature | Taste | Organs | Actions |
Ren Shen (人參) Ginseng Radix | Tonify Qi | Warm | Sweet, bitter | Spleen, Lung, Heart | Powerfully tonifies the primodial qi; Strengthens the Spleen and tonifies the Spleen; Tonifies the Lungs and augments the qi; Generates fluids and stops thirst; Benefits the Heart and calms the shen |
Dan Shen (丹參) Salviae miltiorrhizae Radix | Invigorate blood | Cold | Bitter | Heart, Pericardium, Liver | Invigorates blood and dispels blood stasis; Clears heat and relieves irritability; Cools blood and reduces abscesses |
Sha Shen (沙蔘) Glehniae/Adenophorae Radix | Tonify Yin | Cold | Sweet, bitter | Lung, Stomach | Nourishes the Lung yin and relieves cough; Nourishes the Stomach yin and generates fluids |
Ku Shen (苦蔘) Sophorae flavescentis Radix | Clear heat | Cold | Bitter | Large Intestine, Liver, Heart, Small Intestine, Bladder | Clears heat and dries dampness; Dispels wind and kills parasites; Promotes urination |
Xuan Shen (玄蔘) Scrophulariae Radix | Cool blood | Cold | Bitter, sweet, salty | Lung, Stomach, Kidney | Clears heat and cools blood; Nourishes yin; Softens hardness and dissipates nodules |
Hyungsuk Choi, PHD