Ginseng Fruit is the name of a traditional Chinese medicine. It consists of the whole plant, including the roots, of the orchid species Herminium numorchis (L.) R.Br. [Ophrys monorchis L.; H. tanguticum Rolfe]. It has the effects of strengthening the heart and kidneys, promoting fluid production to quench thirst, tonifying the spleen and strengthening the stomach, and regulating menstruation while promoting blood circulation.It is primarily used to treat neurasthenia, insomnia, dizziness, irritability, thirst, loss of appetite, and irregular menstruation.
Ginseng Fruit
Ginseng Fruit is the name of a traditional Chinese medicine. It consists of the whole plant, including the roots, of the orchid species Herminium numorchis (L.) R.Br. [Ophrys monorchis L.; H. tanguticum Rolfe]. It has the effects of strengthening the heart and kidneys, promoting fluid production to quench thirst, tonifying the spleen and strengthening the stomach, and regulating menstruation while promoting blood circulation.It is primarily used to treat neurasthenia, insomnia, dizziness, irritability, thirst, loss of appetite, and irregular menstruation.
Chinese Name : 人参果
Aliases : Ren Tou Qi, Kou Kou Jian
Nature, Flavor & Meridian Tropism : Sweet in taste, warm in nature; enters the Spleen and Stomach meridians
Benefits & Efficacy
Benefits
Strengthens the heart and kidneys, promotes fluid production to quench thirst, tonifies the spleen and strengthens the stomach, regulates menstruation, and promotes blood circulation.
Indications
Mainly used to treat neurasthenia, insomnia, dizziness, irritability, thirst, loss of appetite, and irregular menstruation.
Usage and Dosage
Internal use: Decoct 9–12 g; or steep in rice wine and drink.
Precautions
Ginseng Fruit has a warm nature; avoid taking it with cold-natured medicines or foods. If taken simultaneously with cold-natured medicines or consumed in large quantities with cold-natured foods, they may interact and reduce the medicinal efficacy of Ginseng Fruit.
Relevant Discussions
1. *Shaanxi Chinese Herbal Medicine*: “Sweet in taste, warm in nature. Strengthens the heart and kidneys, promotes saliva production and quenches thirst, tonifies the spleen and strengthens the stomach, regulates menstruation, and promotes blood circulation. Treats neurasthenia, insomnia, dizziness, irritability, thirst, and loss of appetite.”
2. *Compendium of Chinese Herbal Medicines*: “Nourishes yin and tonifies the kidneys; nourishes the stomach; regulates menstruation.”
3. *Compendium of Natural Medicines from the Qinling and Ba Mountains*: “Detoxifies, reduces swelling, and relieves pain. Treats venomous snake bites.”
Applications
Clinical Applications
1. For neurasthenia, dizziness, and headache: 6 g each of Taibai Flower, Small Dizziness Water Lily, Golden-haired Polygonum, Human-head Polygonum, and Phoenix-tail Polygonum. Decoct in water and take orally. *Shaanxi Chinese Herbal Medicine*
2. For venomous snake bites: Pound the whole plant of Horned Plate Orchid together with Snake-repelling Herb into a paste and apply externally. *Compendium of Natural Medicines of the Qinling and Bashan Mountains*
Notes
Patients requiring treatment with traditional Chinese medicine should first consult a licensed TCM hospital, where a TCM practitioner will conduct a professional diagnosis and prescribe the appropriate herbal formula.
Processing & Preparation
Harvesting & Processing
Harvest in the fall, remove sand and soil, wash thoroughly, and sun-dry.
Processing Methods
Remove impurities, wash thoroughly, and dry.
Storage Methods
Store in a well-ventilated, dry place; protect from moisture and insect infestation.
Crude Drug Identification
Properties of Crude Drugs
The tuber is flattened ovoid or nearly spherical, 0.3–1.5 cm long and 3–10 mm in diameter, covered with grayish-brown tomentum; it is hard in texture, with a brownish-gray surface and residual fibrous roots at the apex, which often fall off;Stems are slender, 5–15 cm long, 1–3 mm in diameter, pale brown or brownish-green, with fine longitudinal striations; leaves are brownish-red, mostly shriveled and curled; when flattened, they are narrowly elliptic-lanceolate, with an acuminate apex and a base that gradually narrows into a sheath-like structure embracing the stem. Slight odor; sweet taste.
Botanical Information
Botanical Classification
Orchidaceae, genus *Angiophorum*, species *Angiophorum*.
Morphological Characteristics
A perennial herb with a globose or ovoid tuber, approximately 1 cm in diameter; when dried, the surface is grayish-yellow to grayish-brown with longitudinal wrinkles. The stem is erect, 15–35 cm tall. Leaves are alternate, usually two, borne on the lower part of the stem, rarely three;leaf blades are elliptic-lanceolate, 4–10 cm long and 1–2 cm wide, with an acute apex, the base clasping the stem, entire margins, and parallel veins. The inflorescence is a terminal spike, 3–20 cm long; flowers are yellowish-green, with a spurless, 3-lobed lip. The capsule is oblong, approximately 5 mm long. Flowering occurs in summer.
Distribution Area
Distributed in Northeast China, as well as Gansu, Shaanxi, Hebei, and other regions.