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1. First, Meet "Ginseng Itself": The Classic Qi - Boosting Expert
What we often call "ginseng" refers to the root of the Araliaceae plant ginseng. When freshly dug out, it's called "fresh ginseng". When dried in the sun or baked, it becomes "sun - dried ginseng" (also commonly known as white ginseng).
Features: It has a sweet and slightly bitter taste, a mild nature, and its qi - boosting effect is solid but not intense, just like a reliable "health butler".
Best at:
- If you always feel tired, have no strength when speaking, and get out of breath easily even with a little movement, soaking it in water can slowly replenish your vitality.
- For those with weak spleen and stomach, poor appetite, loose stools, boiling water with Atractylodes macrocephala and Poria cocos can help regulate digestion.
- People who have cold hands and feet in winter and catch cold easily can stew chicken soup with it in winter to nourish qi and blood and warm the body.
Suitable for: Ordinary people with insufficient qi and blood, especially office workers who are usually under great pressure and prone to fatigue.
2. Red Ginseng: The "Warm - Hearted Man" in Ginseng, with a More Solid Nourishing Effect
Red ginseng is an "upgraded version" of ginseng. Fresh ginseng is steamed and then dried in the sun, turning reddish - brown in color, and its nature changes from mild to slightly warm.
Features: It's more powerful than sun - dried ginseng. While boosting qi, it has a "warm strength", just like adding a "warm coat" to the body.
Best at:
- After childbirth or surgery, when qi and blood are severely damaged, boiling water with red ginseng can help recover faster than sun - dried ginseng.
- If you are particularly afraid of cold in winter and your hands and feet are so cold that you can't sleep warmly, making tea with longan and red dates can make you feel warm all over.
- Elderly people with obvious qi deficiency, who often feel flustered and sweat easily, can hold 1 slice of red ginseng in their mouth every day to help stabilize their spirit.
Note: People who are prone to getting internal heat shouldn't eat too much, otherwise they may feel dry mouth and tongue and have trouble sleeping.
3. White Ginseng: The Mildest in Nature, the First Choice for Beginners
White ginseng (also called sugar ginseng) is made by sugar - pickling fresh ginseng. It's snow - white in color and has a slightly sweet taste.
Features: Its qi - boosting strength is weaker than that of sun - dried ginseng, but its nature is more gentle. It has a sweet taste, doesn't taste bitter, and is especially suitable for people who are afraid of the taste of traditional Chinese medicine.
Best at:
- For children with weak constitutions and poor appetites, stewing lean meat soup with white ginseng fibrous roots (with mild medicinal effect) can nourish without causing internal heat.
- If you are afraid of heat in summer but still want to boost qi, soaking it in water instead of milk tea won't make you get internal heat easily.
- If it's your first time eating ginseng and you're afraid of "over - nourishing", starting with white ginseng and taking it step by step is safer.
4. American Ginseng: A Cool Qi - Boosting Expert, Suitable for Summer
American ginseng (also called Panax quinquefolius) is actually an "outsider". It's native to North America. It looks a bit like ginseng, but its effect is "cool".
Features: It has a bitter taste with a little sweetness, and its nature is slightly cool. While boosting qi, it can "clear heat", just like a "calm assistant".
Best at:
- After staying up late, if you feel dry mouth and tongue and have a sore throat, holding a few slices of American ginseng in your mouth can relieve the discomfort quickly.
- For people who are prone to getting internal heat and feeling tired, boiling water with it can provide enough nourishment without causing acne.
- For diabetic patients who want to boost qi, American ginseng can not only replenish vitality but also help regulate blood sugar (it's an auxiliary effect and can't replace medicine).
Suitable for: People with hot constitutions, those who often stay up late, and those who are prone to getting internal heat. It's also suitable for summer.
5. Korean Ginseng: A Powerful Qi - Boosting "Expert" from the Korean Peninsula, Suitable for Urgent Nourishment
Korean ginseng is produced in the Korean Peninsula. Its processing method is similar to that of red ginseng, but the craftsmanship is more exquisite. The finished product is dark brown with a plump body.
Features: Its nature is slightly hot, and its qi - boosting strength is stronger than that of red ginseng. It's like a "powerful tonic" and is suitable for short - term intensive nourishment.
Best at:
- After recovering from a serious illness or when vitality is severely damaged, stewing pigeon soup with Korean ginseng can help the body recover quickly.
- For those who work in cold environments for a long time (such as cold storage employees), soaking it in wine can enhance cold resistance.
- For those who feel dizzy and have low blood pressure due to extreme qi and blood deficiency, taking a small amount in the mouth every day can slowly boost qi.
Note: Ordinary people shouldn't eat it every day, as it's easy to get internal heat from over - nourishment. Hypertensive patients and those with hyperthyroidism should use it with caution.
Final Summary: Remember These 3 Points to Choose Ginseng Correctly
- Look at your constitution: If you are afraid of cold, choose red ginseng or Korean ginseng; if you are afraid of heat, choose American ginseng; if you have a neutral constitution, choose sun - dried ginseng or white ginseng.
- Look at the season: Red ginseng and Korean ginseng are suitable for winter; American ginseng and white ginseng are suitable for summer.
- Look at your needs: For daily conditioning, use sun - dried ginseng or white ginseng; for urgent qi and blood replenishment, use red ginseng or Korean ginseng; for staying up late and getting internal heat, use American ginseng.
Although ginseng is good, don't be greedy. 3 - 5 grams per day is enough. Eating too much may cause insomnia and palpitations. For the first time, it's recommended to start with a small dose and let your body adapt slowly.