Five-leaf Ginseng Bark

Five-leaf Ginseng Bark grows in Hanzhong and Yuanju historical regions in modern-day Shaanxi and Shandong provinces; today, it is found throughout the prefectures of the Jiang-Huai region and Hunan. In the spring, it sprouts shoots where both the stems and leaves are green. Specimens that possess five leaflets are considered to be of the highest quality. In the third and fourth months of the lunar calendar, the plant blooms with white flowers that produce small, green berries. By the sixth month, these berries gradually turn black. The roots resemble those of the Chasteberry tree; the bark is yellowish-black, while the inner "bone" (the core) is white and very hard. The stems are harvested in the fifth and seventh months, and the roots in the tenth month; they are then dried in the shade for medicinal use. People in Qizhou call it Wood Bone (Mugu) referring to the plant's remarkably hard, woody root core. Its flavor is pungent and bitter; its nature is warm, though some describe it as slightly cold, and it is non-toxic.

It is primarily used to treat Hernia (Shanqi) a broad term in traditional medicine for abdominal or groin pain and swelling and general abdominal pain. It supplements Qi (Vital Energy) and treats lameness, particularly in children who are unable to walk. It is also used for malignant sores and genital erosion. For men, it treats impotence, dampness under the scrotum, and the dripping of residual urine. For women, it treats vaginal itching as well as pain in the lower back and spine, and pain or numbness in both legs. It is effective against "wind-weakness" weakness or lack of coordination attributed to environmental or internal "wind" pathogens, the Five Loosenesses (Wuhuan) a traditional pediatric diagnosis referring to developmental delays in the neck, soft tissues, and limbs, and general physical wasting or exhaustion. It tonifies the middle (Zhong): the digestive and metabolic center of the body, boosts vital essence, strengthens the tendons and bones, and fortifies the will and resolve.