气味甘、微寒，无毒。主补五脏，安精神，定魂魄，止惊悸，除邪气，明目开心
益智。久服轻身延年。
陈修园曰∶本经止此三十七字。其提纲云∶主补五脏，以五脏属阴也。精神不安、魂魄
不定、惊悸不止、目不明、心智不足，皆阴虚为阳亢所扰也。今五脏得甘寒之助，则为定之
、安之、止之、明之、开之、益之之效矣。曰邪气者，非指外邪而言，乃阴虚而壮火食气，
火即邪气也。今五脏得甘寒之助，则邪气除矣。余细味经文，无一字言及温补回阳。故仲景
于汗、吐、下阴伤之证，用之以救津液。而一切回阳方中，绝不加此阴柔之品，反缓姜、附
之功。故四逆汤、通脉四逆汤为回阳第一方，皆不用人参。而四逆加人参汤，以其利止亡血
而加之也；茯苓四逆汤用之者，以其在汗、下之后也。今人辄云∶以人参回阳。此说倡自宋
、元以后，而大盛于薛立斋、张景岳、李士材辈，而李时珍《本草纲目》尤为杂沓。学人必
于此等书焚去，方可与言医道。
仲景一百一十三方中，用人参者只有一十七方∶新加汤、小柴胡汤、柴胡桂枝汤、半夏
泻心汤、黄连汤、生姜泻心汤、旋复代赭石汤、干姜黄芩黄连人参汤、浓朴生姜半夏人参汤
、桂枝人参汤、四逆加人参汤、茯苓四逆汤、吴茱萸汤、理中汤、白虎加人参汤、竹叶石膏
汤、炙甘草汤，皆是因汗、吐、下之后，亡其阴津，取其救阴。如理中、吴茱萸汤以刚燥剂
中阳药太过，取人参甘寒之性，养阴配阳，以臻于中和之妙也。
又曰∶自时珍之《纲目》盛行，而神农之《本草经》遂废。即如人参，《本经》明说微
寒，时珍说生则寒，熟则温，附会之甚。盖药有一定之性，除是生捣取汁冷服，与蒸晒八、
九次，色味俱变者，颇有生熟之辨。若入煎剂，则生者亦熟矣。况寒热本属冰炭，岂一物蒸
熟不蒸熟间，遂如许分别乎？尝考古圣用参之旨，原为扶生气安五脏起见。而为五脏之长，
百脉之宗，司清浊之运化，为一身之橐龠者，肺也。人参惟微寒清肺，肺清则气旺，气旺则
阴长而五脏安。古人所谓补阳者，即指其甘寒之用不助壮火以食气而言，非谓其性温补火也
陶弘景谓∶功用同甘草。凡一切寒温补泻之剂，皆可共济成功。然甘草功兼阴阳，故《
本经》云∶“主五脏六腑”。人参功专补阴，故《本经》云∶“主五脏”。仲景于咳嗽病去
之者，亦以形寒饮冷之伤，非此阴寒之品所宜也。
气味：甘、微寒，无毒。主治补益五脏，安定精神，镇定魂魄，止住惊悸，祛除邪气，明亮双目，开启心智，增加智慧。长期服用可令身体轻健，延年益寿。
陈修园说：《本经》原文仅有这三十七个字。其提纲挈领之处在于“主补五脏”，因为五脏属于阴。精神不安、魂魄不定、惊悸不止、视力不明、心智不足，都是因为阴虚而被阳亢所扰乱。现在五脏得到甘寒药性的帮助，就能起到安定它、镇守它、止住它、明亮它、开启它、增益它的效果。所谓“邪气”，并非指外感邪气，而是指阴虚导致壮火（亢盛的阳气）消耗元气，这火就是邪气。现在五脏得到甘寒药性的帮助，那么邪气就被除去了。我仔细体味经文，没有一个字提到温补回阳。所以张仲景在汗法、吐法、下法导致阴液损伤的证候中，用人参来救津液。而在一切回阳方剂中，绝不加入这种阴柔的药物，反而担心它会减缓干姜、附子的功效。所以四逆汤（回阳救逆第一方）、通脉四逆汤作为回阳的第一方，都不用人参。而四逆加人参汤，是因为利止后亡血才加入的；茯苓四逆汤使用它，是因为在发汗、攻下之后。现在的人动不动就说：用人参回阳。这种说法始于宋、元以后，并在薛立斋、张景岳、李士材等人那里大行其道，而李时珍的《本草纲目》更是杂乱无章。学医人必须将这些书烧掉，才可以与他们谈论医道。
张仲景的一百一十三首方剂中，用人参的只有十七首：新加汤、小柴胡汤、柴胡桂枝汤、半夏泻心汤、黄连汤、生姜泻心汤、旋复代赭石汤、干姜黄芩黄连人参汤、浓朴生姜半夏人参汤、桂枝人参汤、四逆加人参汤、茯苓四逆汤、吴茱萸汤、理中汤、白虎加人参汤、竹叶石膏汤、炙甘草汤，这些都是因为在汗、吐、下之后，耗伤了阴津，取其拯救阴液的作用。如理中汤、吴茥萸汤，是在刚燥剂中阳药太过，取人参甘寒的性质，滋养阴液以配合阳气，以达到中和的妙处。
又说：自从李时珍的《本草纲目》盛行以来，《神农本草经》就被废弃了。就像人参，《本经》明确说是微寒，李时珍说生用则寒，熟用则温，这是非常牵强附会的。大概药物有一定的本性，除非是生捣取汁冷服，或者经过蒸晒八九次，颜色和味道都发生变化的，才有生熟的区别。如果入煎剂煮服，那么生的也就变熟了。况且寒热本来像冰和炭一样对立，难道在一物蒸熟不蒸熟之间，就有如此大的分别吗？我曾经考察古代圣人使用人参的宗旨，原本是为了扶助生气、安顿五脏。而被称为五脏之长、百脉之宗、主管清浊运化、作为一身之气机枢纽的，是肺。人参只有微寒清肺的作用，肺清则气旺，气旺则阴长而五脏安宁。古人所说的“补阳”，是指其甘寒之用不助长壮火以消耗元气而言，并不是说它的性质是温补火。
陶弘景说：人参的功效同甘草。凡是各种寒温补泻的方剂，都可以共同取得成功。然而甘草功效兼及阴阳，所以《本经》说：“主五脏六腑”。人参功效专于补阴，所以《本经》说：“主五脏”。张仲景在治疗咳嗽病时去掉人参，也是因为形寒饮冷造成的损伤，不适合使用这种阴寒性质的药物。
Taste and Nature: Sweet, slightly cold, non-toxic. It primarily tonifies the five Zang organs, calms the spirit (Shen), stabilizes the ethereal soul (Hun) and corporeal soul (Po), stops palpitations and fright, eliminates pathogenic factors, brightens the eyes, opens the mind, and enhances wisdom. Long-term consumption lightens the body and prolongs life.
Chen Xiuyuan states: The *Shennong Bencao Jing* contains only these thirty-seven characters. Its guiding principle is "primarily tonifies the five Zang organs," because the five Zang organs belong to Yin. Restless spirit, unstable Hun and Po, incessant palpitations, blurred vision, and insufficient mental acuity are all caused by Yin deficiency being disturbed by Yang hyperactivity. Now that the five Zang organs receive assistance from sweet-cold properties, they achieve the effects of calming them, securing them, stopping the symptoms, brightening them, opening them, and benefiting them. When it says "eliminates pathogenic factors," it does not refer to external pathogens, but rather refers to vigorous fire (excessive Yang) consuming Qi due to Yin deficiency; this fire is the pathogenic factor. Now that the five Zang organs receive assistance from sweet-cold properties, the pathogenic factors are eliminated. I carefully ponder the original text, finding not a single word mentioning warming and restoring Yang. Therefore, Zhang Zhongjing used Ren Shen (Ginseng Root) in conditions where sweating, vomiting, or purging methods had injured Yin fluids, employing it to rescue Jin-Ye (body fluids). In all formulas for restoring Yang, this yin-nourishing and soft substance is absolutely not added, as it would instead slow down the efficacy of Gan Jiang (Dried Ginger) and Fu Zi (Prepared Aconite Root). Thus, Sini Tang (Frigid Extremities Decoction) and Tongmai Sini Tang (Pulse-Resuscitating Frigid Extremities Decoction), being the premier formulas for restoring Yang, do not use Ren Shen. However, Sini Jia Renshen Tang (Frigid Extremities Decoction with Added Ginseng Root) adds it because blood loss occurred after diarrhea stopped; Fuling Sini Tang (Poria Cocos Decoction with Frigid Extremities Formula) uses it because it was administered after sweating and purging. Nowadays, people casually claim: "Use Ren Shen to restore Yang." This theory originated after the Song and Yuan dynasties and became prevalent among figures like Xue Lizhai, Zhang Jingyue, and Li Shicai. Li Shizhen's *Bencao Gangmu* (Compendium of Materia Medica) is particularly chaotic. Students must burn such books before they can be taught the Way of Medicine.
Among Zhang Zhongjing's 113 formulas, only seventeen contain Ren Shen: Xinjia Tang (Newly Added Decoction), Xiaochaihu Tang (Minor Bupleurum Decoction), Chaihu Guizhi Tang (Bupleurum and Cinnamon Twig Decoction), Banxia Xiexin Tang (Pinellia Heart-Purging Decoction), Huanglian Tang (Coptis Decoction), Shengjiang Xiexin Tang (Fresh Ginger Heart-Purging Decoction), Xuanfu Daizhe Shi Tang (Inula and Hematite Decoction), Ganjiang Huangqin Huanglian Renshen Tang (Dried Ginger, Scutellaria, Coptis, and Ginseng Root Decoction), Houpo Shengjiang Banxia Renshen Tang (Magnolia Bark, Fresh Ginger, Pinellia, and Ginseng Root Decoction), Guizhi Renshen Tang (Cinnamon Twig and Ginseng Root Decoction), Sini Jia Renshen Tang, Fuling Sini Tang, Wuzhuyu Tang (Evodia Decoction), Lizhong Tang (Regulate the Middle Decoction), Baihu Jia Renshen Tang (White Tiger Decoction with Added Ginseng Root), Zhuye Shigao Tang (Bamboo Leaf and Gypsum Decoction), and Zhigancao Tang (Honey-Fried Licorice Decoction). All these are used because after sweating, vomiting, or purging, Yin-Jin (Yin fluids) were lost, utilizing its ability to rescue Yin. For instance, in Lizhong Tang and Wuzhuyu Tang, where the Yang-tonifying drugs in the harsh-drying formulas are excessive, the sweet-cold nature of Ren Shen is taken to nourish Yin and coordinate with Yang, achieving the subtlety of harmony.
He further states: Since Li Shizhen's *Bencao Gangmu* became popular, the *Shennong Bencao Jing* has been abandoned. Take Ren Shen as an example: the *Bencao Jing* clearly states it is slightly cold, whereas Li Shizhen claims raw is cold and cooked is warm, which is highly forced interpretation. Drugs have fixed natures. Only if one crushes them raw to extract juice and takes it cold, or steams and dries them eight or nine times until color and taste change, is there a distinction between raw and cooked. If decocted, the raw material becomes cooked anyway. Moreover, cold and hot are as opposed as ice and charcoal; how can there be such a significant difference merely between steaming and not steaming? I have examined the intent of ancient sages in using Ren Shen, which was originally to support vital Qi and settle the five Zang organs. The Lung Fei, as the leader of the five Zang organs, the chief of hundred vessels, responsible for the transformation of clear and turbid Qi, and acting as the bellows of the whole body, relies on Ren Shen's slight coldness to clear the Lung Fei. When Lung Fei is clear, Qi flourishes; when Qi flourishes, Yin grows, and the five Zang organs are settled. What ancients called "tonifying Yang" referred to its sweet-cold usage not assisting vigorous fire to consume Qi, not implying its nature is warm and tonifying to Fire.
Tao Hongjing stated: Its functions are similar to Gan Cao (Licorice Root). Any formula involving cold, heat, tonification, or draining can succeed with its aid. However, Gan Cao's function covers both Yin and Yang, so the *Bencao Jing* says: "Primarily treats the five Zang and six Fu organs." Ren Shen's function specializes in tonifying Yin, so the *Bencao Jing* says: "Primarily treats the five Zang organs." Zhang Zhongjing removed Ren Shen in treating cough diseases because injuries from external cold and cold drinks were unsuitable for this yin-cold substance.