“Speak to the earth, and it shall teach thee.”
Job 12:8 (Old Testament)
Ginseng (Panex ginseng)
A Highly Regarded Tonic
Ginseng and ginseng products are increasing in popularity in the United States. They have been highly valued for thousands of years in many different cultures for their medicinal properties. This herb is probably the most highly regarded tonic in the world. There are two main varieties of the ginseng plant grown throughout the world that are used for traditional medicine. Ginseng is the root of two very different herb from opposite sides of the world, American ginseng (P. quinquefolium) and Asian ginseng (P. ginseng).
American ginseng is wild- harvested and cultivated mainly in eastern North America. Asian ginseng, which includes both Korean and Chinese ginseng, is cultivated in China, Korea and Japan.
Asian ginseng, also known as Panax ginseng, is the type most often studied and the most abundant. The genus name for Asian ginseng is Panax ginseng from the Greek word meaning “all healing.”
The wild American variety, Panax quinquefolium, is thought to have properties similar to the Asian plant. This variety of ginseng is rarely found in its natural state due to extreme harvesting. Fertilizers and pesticides along with unsound “wildcrafting” of this herb, have made it an endangered species in much of the south eastern part of the United States. It was once found abundantly growing in shaded, wooded areas under beech and maple trees, though these sources of ginseng are now depleted. The plant consist of three large leaves and two small leaves originating from the same stem. It contains a cluster of yellow-green flowers, and red, edible berries follow.
There is an increasing amount of American ginseng being cultivated and grown for its commercial use. The majority of ginseng grown in America is used for export, primarily to China.
The American variety sells for about twice as much as the Asian variety because it is thought to be of a higher quality.
It requires a considerable investment and ideal soil conditions. It prefers a well-drained acidic soil. Organically grown plants are available, but may be hard to find. Wild ginseng can still be found in isolated patches in some areas of the country, but most sources have been depleted.
Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus), though not considered a “true ginseng,” contains similar properties to the other varieties. It was discovered in Siberia but is now cultivated around the world.
Ginseng is one of the oldest and most beneficial herbs in the world. People in northern China began using ginseng thousands of years ago. It was used to restore the “yang” quality in the body to heal disorders such as tuberculosis, coughs, diabetes, diarrhea, indigestion, nausea, gout, infected sores, insomnia and diabetes. It was often used, and is still today, as a tonic to rejuvenate the body after an illness or prolonged stress.
Early herbalists recognized the shape of ginseng root as resembling a human figure. They felt this was a sign that the herb was valuable for healing the entire body. It is often referred to as the “man root” and is the subject of many legends and folk history.
The Native Americans enjoyed the healing, tonic benefits of the American ginseng plant. Many tribes knew well the therapeutic powers of ginseng. They used it to relieve nausea, indigestion, stomach problems, earaches, asthma
and headaches.
The Cherokees referred to ginseng as
“The Plant of Life”.
Recent studies have focused on antiviral and metabolic effects, antioxidant activity, and effects of nervous and reproductive systems. At least seven European clinical studies showed that standardized extracts of ginseng increased respiratory performance, alertness, power of concentration and improved motor coordination.
Asian ginseng is available as whole root, powder and liguid extracts. American ginseng is generally available as the whole or powdered root. 100 mg. one or two times a day is the usual recommended dose. Use at normal dosage levels is generally not associated with side effects. If you have high blood pressure, use ginseng with caution. Avoid ginseng during pregnancy.
If we ourselves are unable to grow this herb or no longer discover it in the wilderness, let us find a reputable health food store or herb shop that sells ginseng. This is an ancient herb of great healing quality.
http://www.villageherbals.com/VH_Ginseng.html
Job 12:8 (Old Testament)
Ginseng (Panex ginseng)
A Highly Regarded Tonic
Ginseng and ginseng products are increasing in popularity in the United States. They have been highly valued for thousands of years in many different cultures for their medicinal properties. This herb is probably the most highly regarded tonic in the world. There are two main varieties of the ginseng plant grown throughout the world that are used for traditional medicine. Ginseng is the root of two very different herb from opposite sides of the world, American ginseng (P. quinquefolium) and Asian ginseng (P. ginseng).
American ginseng is wild- harvested and cultivated mainly in eastern North America. Asian ginseng, which includes both Korean and Chinese ginseng, is cultivated in China, Korea and Japan.
Asian ginseng, also known as Panax ginseng, is the type most often studied and the most abundant. The genus name for Asian ginseng is Panax ginseng from the Greek word meaning “all healing.”
The wild American variety, Panax quinquefolium, is thought to have properties similar to the Asian plant. This variety of ginseng is rarely found in its natural state due to extreme harvesting. Fertilizers and pesticides along with unsound “wildcrafting” of this herb, have made it an endangered species in much of the south eastern part of the United States. It was once found abundantly growing in shaded, wooded areas under beech and maple trees, though these sources of ginseng are now depleted. The plant consist of three large leaves and two small leaves originating from the same stem. It contains a cluster of yellow-green flowers, and red, edible berries follow.
There is an increasing amount of American ginseng being cultivated and grown for its commercial use. The majority of ginseng grown in America is used for export, primarily to China.
The American variety sells for about twice as much as the Asian variety because it is thought to be of a higher quality.
It requires a considerable investment and ideal soil conditions. It prefers a well-drained acidic soil. Organically grown plants are available, but may be hard to find. Wild ginseng can still be found in isolated patches in some areas of the country, but most sources have been depleted.
Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus), though not considered a “true ginseng,” contains similar properties to the other varieties. It was discovered in Siberia but is now cultivated around the world.
Ginseng is one of the oldest and most beneficial herbs in the world. People in northern China began using ginseng thousands of years ago. It was used to restore the “yang” quality in the body to heal disorders such as tuberculosis, coughs, diabetes, diarrhea, indigestion, nausea, gout, infected sores, insomnia and diabetes. It was often used, and is still today, as a tonic to rejuvenate the body after an illness or prolonged stress.
Early herbalists recognized the shape of ginseng root as resembling a human figure. They felt this was a sign that the herb was valuable for healing the entire body. It is often referred to as the “man root” and is the subject of many legends and folk history.
The Native Americans enjoyed the healing, tonic benefits of the American ginseng plant. Many tribes knew well the therapeutic powers of ginseng. They used it to relieve nausea, indigestion, stomach problems, earaches, asthma
and headaches.
The Cherokees referred to ginseng as
“The Plant of Life”.
Recent studies have focused on antiviral and metabolic effects, antioxidant activity, and effects of nervous and reproductive systems. At least seven European clinical studies showed that standardized extracts of ginseng increased respiratory performance, alertness, power of concentration and improved motor coordination.
Asian ginseng is available as whole root, powder and liguid extracts. American ginseng is generally available as the whole or powdered root. 100 mg. one or two times a day is the usual recommended dose. Use at normal dosage levels is generally not associated with side effects. If you have high blood pressure, use ginseng with caution. Avoid ginseng during pregnancy.
If we ourselves are unable to grow this herb or no longer discover it in the wilderness, let us find a reputable health food store or herb shop that sells ginseng. This is an ancient herb of great healing quality.
http://www.villageherbals.com/VH_Ginseng.html
