GINSENG
panax ginseng
Chinese herbalists may have used ginseng as early as pre-historic times. And ginseng has
been mentioned as a remedy for longevity, enlightening the mind and wisdom in writings as
early as the first century AD. The roots resembled a man, and many ancient herbalist
believed ginseng to be an enhancement to overall health of the body. (Ginseng in Chinese
means "man root".) Ginseng's reputation of long life, wisdom and aphrodisiac
properties, spread like wildfire throughout the world. Wars broke out and ginseng was
sought after like a gold rush and even demanding a higher price than gold itself. In some
communities, ginseng became their financial mainstay. In the late 1800's and early 1900's,
ginseng was no longer plentiful in the United States and states began passing laws about
harvesting and growing ginseng. Grower associations were formed and insurance policies
were available for growers of ginseng. There are still some places where ginseng is still
found in it's wild state.
The main constituents of ginseng are Saponin glycosides, Glycans and volatile oil, which
contains b-elemene and acetylenic compounds. At least 13 ginsenosides have been isolated
from the saponin glycosides.
Many of ginseng's medicinal claims are exaggerated, but are still important remedy.
Ginseng is considered to be a powerful adaptogen, a substance that protects against
physical and mental stress, which helps the body return to normal function quicker. The
Chinese claim that ginseng softens the blows of aging and some research has found that
some human cells placed in a medium of ginseng, lived longer by growing denser. But
studies are not conclusive. Some research on rats has shown that ginseng may help protect
against radiation by helping the blood withstand the radiation better. Another area of
research has shown that ginseng has helped in heart disease by moderating the effects of
high-cholesterol diets. Ginseng is being studied in the treatment of ailments and specific
diseases such as depression, diabetes, hypertension, and ulcers, and results are
promising. There have even be testing on ginseng's claim as an aphrodisiac. Studies have
shown that ginseng has stimulated or promoted egg laying in hens, ovulation in frogs,
sperm in rabbits, and mating behavior in rats. But again, these tests are inconclusive.
However, some Chinese herbalists warn against the use of ginseng in patients with acute
inflammatory disease and bronchitis. And many herbalists use ginseng in combination with
other herbs for treatment of specific ailments and diseases. In short, ginseng has been
used by herbalists for treating stress, increasing endurance and vitality, strengthens
brain tissue, helps in recovery from illness and/or surgery, stimulating a poor appetite,
hypertension, and much, much more; a general all over body tonic.
There are several forms of ginseng, all of which have similar properties, but do have some
subtle differences.
One of the most popular is the Korean Ginseng (panax ginseng). This variety is said to be
hotter than the American or Siberian Ginseng and can be either red or white depending on
the processing of the root. It is believed that the red is of superior quality.
Siberian Ginseng (eleutherococcus senticosus) is another member of the ginsengs though it
is a different genus but still has similar qualities as the other ginsengs. This variety
is native to eastern Russia and northern Japan and has been studied by the Russians for
endurance testing. Some claim that it is most useful after surgery, recovery from illness,
tonic for poor appetite, etc.
Wild American Ginseng (panax quinquefolius) is a variety of ginseng that is native to
North America and is considered endangered.
The cultivation of ginseng is extremely difficult and needs near perfect conditions to
grow. It falls victim to numerous funguses and takes several years for the roots to
mature. Cultivating ginseng usually requires a large investment and time and luck.
Harvesting the roots require delicate handling, since some of the root's value comes from
the shape. Ginseng prefers hardwood forests on slopes. If successful in growing, ginseng
can reach a height from 6-16 inches and after about 3-4 years, will produce up to 40 green
flowers in the center of an umbrella usually sometime from June to August, depending on
it's location. Some varieties produce bright red berries with white seeds inside. The
roots have a man-like appearance and after several years, may appear to have
"wrinkles" around the neck, which can indicate the plants age. The more
wrinkles, the older the plant is. |
The information provided is
for educational purposes only and should not be used to prescribe, diagnose, treat or cure
any illnesses or diseases or as a substitute for professional healthcare. If you have a
serious health problem, we strongly recommend that you consult a competent healthcare
provider.
|