No reason to read this article because you already know the answer? However, my answer is not Ginseng, nor Echinacea. My herbal ruler can do many things and do them well. In fact, my herbal ruler has a very unusual property up its sleeve. Let me explain why my picks aren’t the popular Chinese Ginseng or the Western Echinacea herb which are widely considered the king herbs globally and are in demand that also carry a high price tag.
Echinacea is a powerful herb from the west known as Echinacea Purpurea. Echinacea is a mild herb and has little side effects even in huge overdoses, and sometimes is recommended in large doses. Echinacea has powerful anti-inflammatory properties and impressive antibiotic properties to boot. Both of these properties make for its powerful properties it’s used for: Infections, Blood Cleaning, and Acute Inflammations and Sores. Upon first signs of infections or the body being invaded by about anything Echinacea can start to be taken in large doses and tapered off. Blood cleaning is a very popular thing to do now days and Echinacea is the staple in that regimen along with similar, but not as potent herbs. Cleaning out toxins, relieving swollen glands, and lowering fevers makes for a great monthly cleanse and a program for cancer patients as well. In the world of first aid Echinacea is a great remedy because you can use it internally and externally right on the sores, cuts, wounds, boils, or any skin condition and get treatment for both ends. I love my Echinacea, but it’s not the winner. Echinacea is not a tonic; it is used for acute conditions and loses any long term effectiveness after 10 days. It does not build up immunity as people believe, except for a short time where you would use it to actually treat a condition. Echinacea is endangered and considering the doses needed sometimes, can make it expensive. Because Echinacea is primarily to treat inflammation and acute conditions, it is most effective against coldness and deficiencies. Therefore, it must be used in combination with other herbs to make it work on those that aren’t suffering internal heat.
Ginseng, know as Ren Shen, is probably the most popular and well known of all herbs. In Chinese Medicine we classify this herb as a Qi Tonic. Ginseng warms, moves, and tonifies the Qi in the body and spreads it out through the body. For westerners this herb is known to increase energy, support an active lifestyle, and build up a healthy body. One thing I do give Ginseng is the fact that it not only does all of these things, it is useful in emergency situations including controlling blood and encouraging blood flow. It is used in China in I.V. form for hemorrhage, shock, and keeping consciousness. Ginseng is both powerful and one of the few herbs where it can be used by itself. So why isn’t this herb getting the credit of the king herb? Well you know I wouldn’t give you something this easy did you? Ginseng is also difficult to prepare when wanting to use it alone for tonifying. It requires a separate steamer and special preparation. Ginseng is very expensive and is often sold powdered from immature root and probably mixed with other herbs. Although this herb has these bleeding disorder qualities, it cannot be used in initial stages; it should not be used when there is an attack of sickness, and shouldn’t be used with caffeine. With the world hyped up on coffee and energy drinks how can I put this on top :).
And now for the moment you have been waiting for. My personal choice as the herb to rule them all is- San Qi. San Qi is known as Tien Qi, Notoginseng, and Pseudoginseng. What is this herb used for? San Qi stops bleeding, reduces swelling, alleviates pain, and breaks up blood stasis and clots. Yes, I said that this herb stops bleeding AND breaks up blood stasis and clots. San Qi can be used for one or the other or both. When used to stop bleeding you need not worry about thrombosis or stasis. For instance some women take herbs containing San Qi for heavy bleeding (menses), but they don’t have to worry about menstrual clotting. When used for stasis there isn’t a worry about thinning out the blood. This herb is great for injuries where there is swelling and bruises but it won’t result in thinning of blood. Topically San Qi can be found in almost every popular external herbal application for pain, swelling, and to move blood. Herbs like this are excellent because they are pretty specific on application, but are versatile at the same time. San Qi should be taken internally and externally for a dual action purpose by working on the problem from the inside and out.
This herb has a pretty celebrated history of its effectiveness on the battle field. Stories of soldiers injured in battle were able to stabilize themselves with the San Qi and then make their way home. I’m talking about some serious wounds that have supposedly been treated with San Qi. To this day this herb is specifically indicated for gun shot wounds in the Materia Medica.
Externally the herb works to clot wounds immediately and becomes part of scab and is the outside of it, and it won’t come off until the scab does. It should be applied as a paste moistened with a touch of water and it is because of this you need to take care in covering the wound. If you place direct loose gauze over this application the gauze will be permanent to the paste. Powdering over the paste will be effective in keeping the wound from bonding to your covering.
Want to see this herb in action?
I wrote about this herb here as well:
http://blogofherbs.com/herbs/deep-laceration-home-remedy-fix
Want to get some pills and powder for your First Aid needs? Visit Dimmak Herbs and look for their Dimmak Clot at www.dimmakherbs.com
San Qi should not be taken internally in pregnant women.
