Picture taken by Priya Jaishanker
Ginseng is the most famous herb originating from north-east China. It has been prized for its medical effectiveness for centuries. Especially in Asia the ginseng root is a symbol for strength, healthiness and a long life. For this reason wars were fought over the herb. The Chinese believed that the herb enhances sexual performance, increases energy and is resistant to stress. Ginseng used to be so valuable it was compared to gold and only served to kings and emperors.
History & Folklore
Not the Chinese people discovered the herb but the Korean. Nevertheless the Chinese have been using ginseng for thousand of years. The root was often associated with an ancient deity and believed to be sent to mankind by the spirit of the mountain. Only people who were worthy could find the human-looking root because of its rarity. It was first cultivated in 1710. In the Middle Ages around the 9th century an Arabian physician introduced the herb to Europe. However it was banned because of its human-looking shape. People associated the herb with the evil and called it "devil's stuff". Its medical abilities only became common knowledge in the West from the 18th century.
Habitat & Cultivation
Naive to north-eastern China, eastern Russia, and North Korea ginseng now can be found very rarely in the wild. To grow ginseng a lot of patience is required because the plant takes at least 4 years to mature. It grows only 1 centimetre a year.
Uses
Chinese remedy In northern and central China the herb is traditionally taken by people in their late middle ages and onwards to help them bear the long cold winters. To relive physical stress and serving as a stimulant the herb is also often used by athletes.
Western tonic In the West, ginseng is mostly used for stress relief. Students love to take the herb during exam season or while coping with stress. It is more of a life-bettering tonic and not seen as a medicine.
Parts used
Roots can be used fresh and dried.
Key Actions
Adaptogen
Tonic
Constituents
Triterpenoid saponins (0,7-3%), ginsenosides - at least 25 have been identified
Acentylenic compounds
Panaxans
Sesquiterpenses
View References
References
- Chevallier, Andrew, FNIMH; Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine - 550 Herbs and Remedies for Common Ailments; 3. Edition 2016; ISBN: 978-0-2412-2944-6; Page 118.
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