Patient's question:
I got married last year. Recently, I've been experiencing lower abdominal pain, especially during my period. I'm very worried it might affect fertility, and I'm also extremely sensitive to cold and coldness. Can pregnant women consume American ginseng?Doctor's answer:
Pregnant women consuming American ginseng should primarily consider whether there are indications, specifically whether there are symptoms of qi deficiency. If a pregnant woman experiences symptoms such as poor appetite, post-meal bloating, or chronic diarrhea with prolapse of the rectum, indicating spleen qi deficiency and clear qi sinking, American ginseng can be used in combination with herbs like astragalus and atractylodes to correct imbalances. If a pregnant woman suffers from fluid depletion due to heat-related illnesses, presenting symptoms like relentless thirst, American ginseng or (tai zi shen) can also be paired with herbs like rehmannia and triterpenes to nourish fluids and quench thirst.