Rén Shēn Gé Jiè Sǎn (人参蛤蚧散) — Ginseng and Gecko Powder
Information only — not used or prescribed at this clinic. This page documents a traditional Chinese herbal formula that contains one or more animal-derived ingredients, for reference and education. I do not use or prescribe any animal products. Every formula I prescribe is built entirely from plant and mineral herbs.
This substance comes from an endangered or protected species and cannot be legally prescribed in the UK. The Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine (RCHM) prohibits the use of any endangered species, and trade is restricted under CITES.
Plant and mineral alternatives I use instead include plant Lung-Kidney tonics such as Hu Tao Ren (walnut), Wu Wei Zi and Dong Chong Xia Cao.
On this page
- Overview
- Ingredients
- Traditional actions and indications
- Plant-based alternatives
- Why it is not prescribed
1. Overview
Rén Shēn Gé Jiè Sǎn (人参蛤蚧散) — Ginseng and Gecko Powder — is a traditional formula of the Chinese Materia Medica that contains one or more animal-derived ingredients. It is described here for information and reference only. I do not use or prescribe Rén Shēn Gé Jiè Sǎn or any formula containing animal products; where a comparable effect is needed I prescribe a plant-based formula matched to the patient's TCM pattern.
2. Ingredients
Traditional ingredients include:
- Ge Jie (gecko) (animal product)
- Ren Shen (ginseng), Xing Ren, Gan Cao, Zhi Mu, Bei Mu, Sang Bai Pi, Fu Ling (plants)
3. Traditional actions and indications
Traditional actions
- Tonifies the Lungs and Kidneys and stops wheezing
- Clears heat and transforms phlegm
Traditional indications
- Chronic cough and wheezing with phlegm from Lung-Kidney deficiency
4. Plant-based alternatives
In my practice I use plant-based formulas in place of Rén Shēn Gé Jiè Sǎn. Depending on the TCM pattern, suitable alternatives include plant Lung-Kidney tonics such as Hu Tao Ren (walnut), Wu Wei Zi and Dong Chong Xia Cao. Read more about Chinese herbal medicine or book an online herbal consultation.
5. Why it is not prescribed
Rén Shēn Gé Jiè Sǎn contains ingredients from endangered or protected species. It cannot be legally prescribed in the UK, and such ingredients are restricted internationally under CITES and prohibited by the Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine (RCHM). All Chinese herbs and formulas should be prescribed by a fully qualified herbalist registered with the Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine (RCHM), which prohibits the use of endangered species. Dr (TCM) Attilio D'Alberto is a member of the RCHM and the British Acupuncture Council and does not use animal products of any kind.
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