Don’t be too aggressive the first time, or you may end up losing more than you gain

Some patients with coronary heart disease insist on taking ginseng, which has a "tonic" effect, on the grounds that it can replenish vitality, strengthen the spleen and stomach, and help the body recover as soon as possible; some patients have heard that improper use of ginseng will aggravate the symptoms, and they want to take the tonic but are undecided.

In this regard, Chen Keyuan, deputy chief physician of the Department of Cardiology at Xiyuan Hospital of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, emphasized two points: first, even if it is a diet therapy, you should consult a doctor in advance, because taking ginseng also has its indications; second, when taking it for symptomatic treatment, you should start with a small dose, generally about 3 grams.

The main cause of coronary heart disease is coronary atherosclerosis, which leads to vascular stenosis and then induces symptoms such as angina pectoris and myocardial infarction. From the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine, coronary heart disease is mainly divided into the following syndromes: heart blood stasis syndrome, phlegm and blood stasis syndrome, yin and cold stagnation syndrome, qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome, qi and yin deficiency syndrome, and heart and kidney yang deficiency syndrome. The last three syndromes are deficiency syndromes, and ginseng can be used for treatment or diet therapy. The first three syndromes are positive syndromes, and ginseng should not be used for treatment. Misuse of ginseng may sometimes aggravate the condition.

The types of ginseng commonly used on the market now mainly refer to Panax ginseng and American ginseng.

Ginseng is called differently depending on its origin and processing methods: including white ginseng, red ginseng, wild ginseng, Jilin ginseng, etc. Ginseng is slightly warm in nature, sweet and slightly bitter in taste, and enters the spleen and lung meridians. It has the effects of invigorating qi and strengthening the spleen, nourishing the heart and calming the mind, and replenishing the lungs and producing body fluids.

Patients with coronary heart disease have precordial pain, which occurs or worsens when they are tired, accompanied by symptoms such as fatigue, shortness of breath, loss of appetite, chills and cold limbs. They can take ginseng, 5 to 10 grams per day, simmering it alone, and add the ginseng juice to other medicinal soups for drinking. Or grind into powder and swallow, 1-2g each time, 2-3 times a day.

American ginseng is mainly produced in the United States, Canada and France, and is also cultivated in my country. It is cold in nature, bitter and slightly sweet in taste, and enters the heart, lung and kidney meridians. It has the effects of invigorating qi and nourishing yin, promoting body fluid and relieving restlessness.

Patients with coronary heart disease have precordial pain accompanied by symptoms such as palpitations, shortness of breath, dizziness, irritability and thirst. They can take American ginseng, 3 to 6 grams per day. It is advisable to simmer it alone, add the ginseng juice to other medicinal soups and drink it, or chew it directly and take it.