Shanglu and ginseng are different in terms of drug type, efficacy, main treatment and contraindication. Shanglu belongs to the class of drugs that expel water and have the efficacy of diarrhea and expel water, subduing swelling and dispersing knots. Ginseng belongs to the category of qi tonic drugs, which has the effects of tonifying vital energy (replenishing the root qi of the body), restoring the pulse and stabilizing the detachment (restoring the normal pulse and preventing the detachment of substances), tonifying the spleen and benefiting the lungs (tonifying the spleen and the lungs), generating fluids and nourishing the blood (replenishing the body’s fluids and blood), and tranquillizing the spirit and benefiting the intellect (stabilizing the mind and promoting intellectual development). Shangluo is mainly used for treating edema, abdominal distension, various kinds of sores, carbuncles, swollen poisons and other diseases. Ginseng is mainly used in treating deficiency of body, cold limbs and weak pulse, deficiency of spleen with little food, asthma and cough of lungs, thirst due to injury of body fluid, internal heat and thirst (internal fever accompanied by excessive eating, drinking and urinating), deficiency of blood and qi, deficiency of prolonged illness, palpitation and insomnia, impotence and coldness of uterus, etc. It is poisonous to Shanglu, and prohibited for pregnant women. Shangluo is toxic, forbidden to pregnant women, and should be used after vinegar preparation to reduce the toxicity. Ginseng should not be used with veratrum. Shanglu and ginseng are both Chinese medicines and should be taken under the guidance of a physician, not for self-medication.