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Originally Posted by 47MartialMan  What do you know abourt herbs like Ginseng? Not the common - google/wiki stuff. |
I do have something to say about ginseng. For starters the quality is very variable. Siberian ginseng is crap yet is labled as just ginseng on supplements that require panax ginseng to save money.
It is a very good herb, it is one of the few herbs that can treat weichi, or your original energy which you receive on conception. However the indications for use is very tricky and not something that an untrained person should ever do. Alot of people just don't need something with such a hot nature and for anyone with a hot nature disease at the time it could do damage. The indications given on the side a naturopathic ginseng supplement will say for use in times of extreme exhaustion, and rubbish like that. Ginseng is an extremly complex herb, its use requires knowledge and a gentlemans touch. Something with so many chemicals in it requires knowledge of the effect it could have on everything else the naturopath has forgotten to mention. In short, naturopaths are not TCM practitioners and are not qualified to use this herb, not that it will stop them from trying. They do not have the training and knowledge to deal with it safely. TCM diagnosis and medical theory is an exceedingly complex web and indications are never as simple as, its helps you feel less tired.
On the same note, anyone who like the idea of self prescribing herbs, don't. People have this idea that herbs are natural and therefore safe. They certainly are not. Nearly all of the modern pharmacuetical drugs originally came from a plant or root or the like. The average TCM herbal mixture will have hundreds of chemicals in it. It
can do harm just like the pharmacueticals which is why people study for years to learn how to prescribe them.
If anyone wants to use herbs like ginseng I instead urge you to find a good herbalist and see them instead.