What is ginseng?

'Ginseng'  means 'the wonder of the world.' Ginseng is the oldest and most famous Chinese herb. Ginseng is being used in traditional medicines and its medicinal properties are worldwide recognised. Over 7000 years, different kinds of ginseng are being used. These different species grow in several places all over the world. Some of these species have specific advantages. However, all species are regarded as having healing effects and are being considerd as an effective vitalizing means.

The name 'Panax' is derived from the Greek word 'panacea', which means 'healer of everthing'. Also ginseng is more or less regarded as such. In general, ginseng is used as a means that can bring the physical functioning back into balance according to the needs of the body. For example: it lowers a high blood pressure and highers a low blood pressure.

History

For more than 5000 years, ginseng is known in the Far East as a natural medicine. Because of the ideal climate and the special soil, the "Korean Ginseng" is regarded as the best and strongest ginseng in the world. The climate of the mountain forests and their associated conditions, is optimally used on special plantations. The use of pesticides and fertilizers is considered as fundamentally wrong.

After about eight years of intensive care, Ginseng carrot is ready to be harvested. The carrot has extracted so many minerals and trace elements from the soil, that even weeds can not grow in this place the coming ten years. After drying, the root is ready to be processed in many products.

In America, China, Japan and even the Dutch Gemert people attempted to grow a Ginseng with the same properties as the Korean Ginseng. In vain: these attempts always failed.

It is said that Ginseng was used for the first time by the mythical Emperor Shen-nung, who's name 'the divine farmer' means. The emperor was blessed with transparent lower body parts, wherethrough he could assess the functioning of the medicinal herbs. The only food the herborist Li Chung Yun at were raw vegetables with Ginseng. He reached the respectable age of 256 years (1677-1933). So, a ginseng-rich diet because essential for reaching a high age.

The annual expidition into the Ginseng plant in Korea was surrounded with rituals. The
collectors were supposed have an ascetic lifestyle. When the Ginseng was eventually found,
the roots were carefully excavated by hands. Of course, there were also people who tried fool others. Instead of real Ginseng carrots, they tried to sell other, Giseng look-a-like carrots,  In an effort to add weight to a Ginseng, they iron roots were pushed into the carrot.

Ginseng in North America:

Untill the 19th century, the Jesuits were the only Europeans in China. In the year 1713 the French Father Jartous reported on a plant that was called 'orhota' by the tartar people. It was said that this
plant possessed miraculous powers. It concerned the plant Panax Ginseng. Canadian missionary, Joseph Lafifau, got notice of the experience of Jartous. He was strucked by the fact that the forest areas which were designated as the growing area of the Ginseng, strongly simulated those in the area where he worked. Hereafter he decided to search for the Canadian Ginseng, which he indeed found in the woods around Montreal. At that time, the plant was by the Iroquois Indians already known as 'garentoquen.' 

It appeared that many Indians already knew the plant for centuries, and that this plant played un important role their healing methods. The Chippewa tribe called the plant 'shte-na-bi-o-dzhi-bih', which means 'man-carrot'. It was said that the plant had a life-prolonging and painkilling effect. Since the carrot had the form of a human, for curing a painful bodypart, the corresponding part of the carrot was used. This is the only known example of the application of the signatureschool related to Ginseng. However, the European school of herbs says that also of the human-like Alruincarrot specific parts were used. For example, in a drink prepared with bilze herbs and belladonna.

Botanical

Ginseng is mostly Chinese, or comes from other parts of Asia. It is widely cultivated in East Asia, China, Korea, Japan and Russia. Nowadays the plant also grows in rich forests in central and eastern United States.

The plant Ginseng is stable. Its large, fleshy roots grow slowly and have a thickness varying from 1 to 2.5 centimetres and a length between 5 to 8 centimeters and occasionally they are even twice as long. The color of Ginseng varies from pale yellow to brownish.

The taste of ginseng is sweet, tending to simulate the taste of licorice. It also has a certain bitterness and a light aromatic heat. Ginseng is almost odourless. The trunk is simple and stands upright, is
about thirty centimeters high and bears three leaves. Each of the three leaves are divided into five
smaller leaves and have a few small yellowish flowers.

Ginseng has also fruits, in the form of bright berries. From its fourth birthday on, flowers begin to grow on the Ginseng. The roots of a Ginseng namely needs four to six years to reach an outgrown size. The roots possibly continue growing for more than one honderd upcoming years. The elder the carrot, the greater the concentration of active substances called 'ginsenosiden' which determine the powerfulness of the Giseng.

Chemistry

Ginseng contains vitamins A and B6 and the mineral zinc. These ingredients stimulate the production of thymical hormones, which are necessary for a good functioning of the immune system. The main active components of ginseng are ginsenosiden. 'Ginsenosiden' is the collective name for over 25 saponin glycosides triterpenoide. These ingredients enable Ginseng to reduce stress and to take care of a good balance system. The glycosides have impact on the adrenal glands, which prevent hypertrophy. Also, the glycosides reduce excessive stress-related output of corticosteroid.

Medical use

The Chinese Pharmacopoeia ranks Ginseng among the energy tonifying herbs focussed
on lungs and digestion. Ginseng enriches yin and calms the heart and soul.

Ginseng related research is inextricably linked with the name Brekhman: a Russian
pharmacologist who investigated on the Siberian Ginseng in the fifties. Incidentally, a large part of the Ginseng roots, which he used during the Korea War by the Russians, seem to have been stolen from the country of origin. Ginseng preparations are frequently used by athletes, soldiers and cosmonauts from the Soviet Union. Ginseng was also used on a large scale by victims of the nuclear disaster at Chernobyl (1986).

Meanwhile, worldwide research into the uses of Ginseng, proved the following:

Regulation of blood pressure:
Ginseng normalizes the blood pressure. This applies both to a too high as to a too low blood pressure. Ginseng is therefore called 'adaptogeen'.

Effect on blood sugar:
On patients with maturity sugar illness, a reduction in blood sugar levels has been demonstrated. Also, Ginseng increases and stabalizes a low suger level.

Improving the response capability and awareness:
In the 80s Italian researchers showed that Ginseng improved the responsiveness of
elderly people. Ginseng also increased the feeling of well-being. In this respect it is understandable that people stated already centruries before that Ginseng rejuvenates. Ginseng stimulates, but without giving a rushy feeling, as is the case with stimulating pills.

Regulation of-the cortisol secretion:
The effect on the adrenals, is an important aspect of Ginseng. In cases of chronical mental or physical stress,  Ginseng prevents excessive production of cortisol, a hormone of the adrenals.

Overall tonification and better sport prestations:

Proven is the following:
-faster recovery from soured muscles after maximum activity;
-rapid decrease in heart rate after a maximum heart rate;
-shorter reaction time in sports activities.

The different types of ginseng can be distinguished from each other along their
provenance. The types differ slighly from each other in their medicinal effects, giving each type its own 'specialty'.

Chinese ginseng (Panax ginseng) is known to be very useful in treating
diabetes, anemia, cancer, depression, insomnia, shock, fatigue, high blood pressure, effects of radiation, different types of stress and chronic diseases. It is said that Chinese Ginseng stimulates the stamina, increases longevity, relaxes the nervous system, improves the mental awareness, promotes a good hormonal functioning, improves the fat level, lowers cholesterol, strengthens the spirit of mind, prevents the growth of tumors and build resistance for diseases in general. Furthermore, it is said that Chinese ginseng works as an anti-oxidant, autoimmune stimulant and ' psychotropic '. American ginseng, Panax quinquefolius, is similar to the Chinese variant, but has a milder impact. It strengthens particularly the five organs: the liver, heart, lungs, kidneys and the spleen.

Research in China has shown that Siberian ginseng 'Eleutherococcus senticosus ' is especially effective in combating fatigue. It has a greater stimulating effect than other species. Meanwhile, it can also calm patients and reduce fear.

Korean ginseng, 'Panax',  belongs to the same type as Chinese ginseng and has the same effects. But because Panax grows under perfect circumstances, its quality is superior to the Chinese ginseng.

Japanese ginseng, 'Panax japonicus' is often being used as a replacement for Panax ginseng by Japanese herbal specialists. This type contains less ginsenosides than the Chinese version and is therefore considered to be an inferior kind of Ginseng.
Himalayan ginseng is called ' Panax pseudoginseng subspecies Himalaicus'. Himalayas residents used this type of Ginseng for people with a poor appetite and as a stimulant for the digestion. Its medical force is less strong than that of its Chinese brother.

Use

Ginsengs entire carrot is usable. There are several ways how Ginseng can be used: raw, powdered and put into capsules, as an ingredient in herbal formules, or as a tea. For use as tea, half a teaspoon of the powdered carrot has to be put in a cup of water. Heat this all untill it boiles. Then, simmer it softly for ten hours. Cook three grams ginsengpowder five to ten minutes in water. After this, filter the water. Drinking the tea three times a day is recommendable.

Warnings

A doses of one to six grams of ginsengcarrot per day is advised by literature. Excessive use can cause headaches. An overdose can lead to insomnia, tense muscles and moisture retention. Don't use ginseng for a longer periode than four subsequent weeks. Namely, the body will get accustomed to a regular use. If you don't take a break, the ginseng will lose its effectiveness. Like most herbal formules, ginseng can react on other medications.

Combinations

Body and spirit are brought back into balance when ginseng is being used incombination with Fo ti. Combine ginseng with guarana, for a better concentration and bright thinking.

Side effects

If used in a normal way, ginseng has no side effects.

Breeding

In order to grow succesfully, Ginseng needs a loose, rich soil with a thick layer of leaves. There should be about 80 percent shadow, that usually is artificially produced. When Ginseng is being grown outside, a nutrient compost has to be added to the ground. Most Ginseng types require a greenhouse. The most successful reproduction method, is by making cuttings of the ginseng carrot. Then, the cuttings are being put into sand and placed under glass. The seeds, that need a moderate temperature, can be put in a pot during the early spring. When the plants have reached the height of serveral centimeters, they should be transplanted to a garden or to a fenced flowerbed.  A healthy warm soil with much shade, is required.

Storage

Fresh Ginseng and fresh Ginseng roots, can be kept for two months when stored at a temperature of 0 degrees celcius. When stored at 25 degrees celcius, the ginseng and the roots are only twenty days consumable. Dried Ginseng products can be stored for years.