Study on the integration of six imported ginseng-class medicinals into the Chinese materia medica

The integration of imported medicinals into the Chinese materia medica is an important approach to expanding Chinese medicinal resources. Following the research paradigm for newly introduced Chinese medicinals of "literature research-theoretical exploration-verification of medicinal properties-clinical practice," on the basis of clarifying the original meaning of "ginseng," the composition of traditional ginseng-class medicinals, and the experience of integrating American ginseng into Chinese materia medica, this study uses Radix Ginseng as the reference and analyzes the medicinal properties, channel tropism, and therapeutic actions of six newly imported ginseng-class Chinese medicinals, namely maca, ashwagandha, Pfaffia, Kaempferia parviflora, Eurycoma longifolia, and Mondia whitei. All six medicinals use the root or rhizome as the medicinal part, and are characterized primarily by neutral or slightly warm properties and sweet or pungent flavors. Their channel tropism is mainly to the kidney, spleen, and liver, and their principal actions include supplementing the kidney and replenishing essence, replenishing qi and strengthening the spleen, and soothing the liver and relieving depression. Some additionally act to calm the mind and improve cognition, or moisten the intestine and unblock the bowels. Unlike Radix Ginseng, which is primarily used to strongly replenish primordial qi, restore the pulse, and rescue collapse, these medicinals are more oriented toward regulating kidney deficiency with essence depletion, chronic fatigue, and emotional dysregulation. Presently, research on these six newly imported ginseng-class Chinese medicinals is mainly focused on literature research and theoretical exploration, while verification of medicinal properties and clinical practice still need to be strengthened. This paper provides a theoretical basis for the precise clinical application of ginseng-class Chinese medicinals and also offers a methodological reference for research on integrating imported medicinals into Chinese materia medica.