Near Woolloomooloo
Josephine holds a Bachelor of Health Science in Traditional Chinese Medicine (UTS). She is a member of FCMA and ACCMA, and is registered with AHPRA as a Acupuncturist & Chinese Herbal Medicine Practitioner.
Ren Shen, the root of Panax ginseng, holds the title "King of Herbs" in the Chinese pharmacopoeia and has been used for over two thousand years. The botanical name Panax derives from the Greek "panacea" (cure-all), reflecting the herb's reputation across cultures. In TCM, Ren Shen is classified as sweet and slightly bitter in flavour, slightly warm in temperature, and enters the Lung, Spleen, and Heart meridians. It is the most powerful Qi-tonifying herb available.
Ren Shen has four key functions: powerfully tonifying Yuan Qi (original Qi, used in emergency situations of Qi collapse), strengthening Spleen and Lung Qi (for chronic fatigue, poor appetite, and shortness of breath), generating fluids and stopping thirst (for diabetes-like conditions and post-febrile fluid depletion), and calming the Shen (for anxiety, insomnia, and poor memory). In classical medicine, the formula Du Shen Tang (Solitary Ginseng Decoction) — Ren Shen alone in high dose — was used to rescue patients from shock or haemorrhagic collapse.
Important distinctions exist between types: red ginseng (Hong Shen, steamed) is warmer and more tonifying; white ginseng (Bai Shen, dried) is milder; American ginseng (Xi Yang Shen, Panax quinquefolius) is cool and Yin-nourishing, making it suitable for Yin-deficient patients who cannot tolerate Ren Shen's warmth. Standard dosage is 3 to 9 grams. Ren Shen should not be combined with Li Lu (Veratrum) — a classical incompatibility — and should be used cautiously in patients with excess heat or high blood pressure.
Chinese ginseng (Ren Shen, Panax ginseng) is warm and strongly tonifies Qi and Yang, making it best for cold, deficient conditions. American ginseng (Xi Yang Shen, Panax quinquefolius) is cool and nourishes Yin while gently tonifying Qi, making it suitable for patients with Yin deficiency or heat signs who need Qi support without added warmth.
Ren Shen should be avoided by those with excess heat conditions, high blood pressure, acute infections, or strong constitution without deficiency. It should not be taken with Li Lu (Veratrum). People on blood thinners or diabetic medication should consult both their doctor and a qualified herbalist before use, as ginseng may interact with these medications.
Josephine Zhuo (TCM) is an AHPRA registered health practitioner — acupuncturist and herbalist.
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