Vomiting ginseng

This ginseng exerts a major effect on the cardiovascular system. It dilates the coronary vessels and reduces vascular resistance, which results in increased coronary flow and decreased blood pressure. Chinese traditional medicine used this ginseng to arrest bleeding, remove blood stasis, and relieve pain. Recent studies have shown that, in the treatment of angina pectoris, this herb can produce a 95.5% improvement in symptoms. The herb usually can stop bleeding in cases of respiratory bleeding or vomiting of blood. 

Pokeweed contains phytolaccatoxin and related tri-terpenes. All plant parts are poisonous, especially the roots. Uncooked berries have been known to poison children. Toxic exposures have occurred from eating the uncooked leaves in salads or when the root is mistaken for horseradish, parsnip, or ginseng. Effects appear 30 min to 6h after exposure. Symptoms include nausea, abdominal cramps, profuse sweating, and foamy diarrhea. Other effects include oral burning, a bitter taste in the mouth, dyspnea, weakness, tremors, and seizures. One case of Mobitz Type I heart block has been reported after ingesting poke-weed, but is believed to be secondary to parasympathetic effects from prolonged vomiting. Symptoms may last up to 48 h. As few as 10 berries can result in toxic effects. Dermal exposures result in irritation, pain, and the sensation of heat. 

If there is no vomiting, subtract Pinellia and Ginseng and add Fructus Trichosanthis Kirlowii (Gua Lou). 

For vomiting due to stomach heat, subtract Ginseng, Licorice, and Red Dates and add Calyx Kaki Diospyros Shi Di). This results in Xin Zhi Ju Pi Zhu Ru Tang (Newly Processed Orange Peel and Caulis Bambusae Decoction). 

For sudden chaos i.e., cholera-like diseases) with vomiting and diarrhea, add Radix Panacis Ginseng Ren Shen), Radix Praeparatus Aconiti Carmichaeli Fu Zi), Rhizoma Coptidis Chinensis Huang Lian), and Fructus Zizyphi Jujubae Da Zao). 

Improper use of American ginseng is reported to cause side effects such as headache, weakness, apathy, aversion to cold, distended abdomen, vomiting, and delayed menstruation. Allergic reactions including asthma and drug rashes have been reported (Bensky et al. 2004). 

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