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Ginseng - The Man
Root
Prepared by The Food Club’s Technical Department
Overview
Pronounced "jinseng" ginseng one of the
most widely used herbs in the world. It was probably discovered over
5000 years ago in the mountains of Manchuria, China and it is thought
that it was originally used as a food. However, it quickly became
revered for its strength-giving and rejuvenating powers. It is also
known as the "man root" because of the striking resemblance to
the body of a man and it became a powerful symbol of divine harmony on
earth.
It is the common name for the Araliaceae and the
true ginseng (Panax ginseng) has long been prized by the Chinese for its
medicinal qualities. For centuries they have prepared a traditional
medicine from the plants' dried roots and used it as a tonic with
supposed curative, restorative and aphrodisiac properties. Most of these
claims have been based on anecdotal rather than scientific evidence and
it is only recently that tests of ginseng have begun in humans, using
rigorous scientific techniques. It is said to help with a large number
of conditions including Alzheimer’s; atherosclerosis; chemotherapy
support; chronic fatigue syndrome; common cold/sore throat; diabetes;
influenza; male infertility and stress.
Historical Prospective
- The first reference to the health-enhancing use of
Asian ginseng dates to the first century AD, in which the writer
mentions ginseng’s use as follows: "It is used for repairing
the five viscera (organs in the abdomen and chest). These are -
quieting the spirit, curbing the emotion, stopping agitation, removing
noxious influence, brightening the eyes, enlightening the mind and
increasing wisdom. Continuous use leads one to longevity."
Ginseng is commonly used by elderly people in the Orient to improve
their mental and physical vitality and Russian astronauts have used it
on space flights.
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- By the third century AD China's demand for ginseng
created international trade in the root allowing Korea to obtain
Chinese silk and medicine in exchange for wild ginseng. By the 1900s,
the demand for ginseng outstripped the available wild supply and Korea
began the commercial cultivation of ginseng which continues to this
day.
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Ginseng - The Man Root |
It was in such demand that a North American
ginseng, P. quinquefolius, was imported in large quantities as a
substitute. The commercial harvesting of American ginseng began in
Canada in 1716 after a Jesuit priest, working among the Iroquois,
heard of the root so valued by the Chinese. Reasoning that the
environment of French Canada closely resembled that of Manchuria, he
began searching for examples of this wondrous herb growing in the
Canadian hardwood forests and after three months of searching he
discovered American ginseng growing near Montreal. Ginseng was also
found growing in the wild in New England, New York , Massachusetts and
Vermont where it had been used by American Indians for centuries.
By the end of the nineteenth century the wild root
was near extinction in North America and farmers began cultivating the
sensitive plant. |
- Rivendell Diaries, based in NW London,
manufactured a honey yogurt with ginseng and liquorice in the late
70's. It became one of their most successful lines and was widely
available in London’s health food shops.
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- Wild Ginseng
For More Information
try visiting:-
- http://www.quickchange.com/ginsengstore/faqs.html
- frequently asked questions
-
http://www.csiginseng.com/what.htm
- short history
Ginseng -The Man Root.Mar2001 |
