Since the beginning of time, herbs have
been important for man. As early people foraged for food, discovering
which plants were edible, they also found plants with medicinal
qualities. These medicinal plants were highly valued as they gave
people a means of treating health problems. As people's experience
with herbs grew they noted specific qualities of different herbs. For
example, some herbs promoted sweating, which helped when a person was
in the early stage of a cold. Some herbs had anti-rheumatic
properties and eliminated pain in the joints, still other herbs had
diuretic properties or were found to calm the spirit thus treating
insomnia or mental disturbances.
One of the most common herbs available
is ginseng. Ginseng has a long history in China as a tonic herb. In
Chinese the name for ginseng is Renshen or man root because it look
like a little man. The ginseng root was traditionally boiled in a tea
but nowadays it is found in many products, such as prepared teas,
capsules, liquid extracts, and in energy drinks. Ginseng is highly
respected in the Orient and is a very important herb in the herb
category of Replenishing and Tonifying herbs. In fact, it is the most
important of the Qi tonifying herbs. Qi (pronounced “chee” as in
cheese) is a term used to describe vital functions and/or substances
of the body. Qi is said to animate all living beings. Qi tonifying
herb's main action is to tonify or strengthen the Qi of the Lungs or
Spleen, which in turn helps transform oxygen and food nutrients into
usable energy.
There are two types of ginseng: wild
and cultivated. The wild type is extremely rare, which makes it
incredibly expensive if some is available. Roots selling for tens of
thousands of dollars are not unheard of. Most of the world trade in
ginseng consists almost exclusively of cultivated plants. Ginseng
grows in China and Korea. In the United States there is a related
plant called American Ginseng is grown in the northeastern part of
the US. Wisconsin has some very good American Ginseng. Ginseng is a
perennial plant. The root is collected in the spring or autumn, and
is thoroughly dried before use.
The Chinese have given ginseng four
traditional actions. They are: 1) Tonify Qi; it is indicated for
patients after severe hemorrhage who have pallor, weak pulse, and
cold extremities. 2) Tonify Qi and strengthen Spleen; it treats cough
and asthma due to Lung Qi deficiency and diarrhea and abdominal
distension due to spleen deficiency. 3). Relieve thirst; it treats
body fluid deficiency. 4). Calms the Spirit; it treats insomnia and
spontaneous sweating due to deficiency of Qi and Blood.
Research in China substantiates the
traditional actions of ginseng and has given us more information on
this herb. It has been shown that: a) Ginseng could increase thinking
efficiency; b) It could relieve fatigue, improve appetite and sleep.
A small dose could speed up the rate of the heart; c). It can promote
the production of blood cells; d). It could treat high cholesterol in
the blood; e). It is effective to increase the ratio of
albumin/globumin in certain diseases; and f). The leaf and stalk of
the ginseng plant can treat Addison's Disease.
The common dose of ginseng is 1.5 to 9
grams. It can be taken in many ways. The most common way is as a tea.
To make ginseng tea, take a giseng root or part of a root and put it
in a pot with four cups of water. Bring the water to a boil and then
boil vigorously for ten minutes. Then lower to a medium boil for
about 35 minutes. When done, you should have about two cups of
concentrated tea left. Drink one-half to one cup. Be careful not to
use too much as ginseng can be very stimulating and it may interfere
with your sleep. Ginseng can also be chewed. You can cut a ginseng
root into small pieces (you need to soften it first to cut it) and
then put a small piece in your mouth. It will slowly dissolve as it
mixes with your saliva until it is all gone.
Ginseng cannot be used for just any
problem. It is contraindicated when someone gets hot easily, has an
irritable or angry nature or has high blood pressure, also don't use
it if you are sick with a cold.
In summary, ginseng is a strong tonic
for general use, vitalizing and calming the mind and the functions of
the body.
Where to get ginseng: One of the
best sources of Chinese herb products, including ginseng is East
Earth Trade Winds (www.eastearthtrade.com).
Established in 1985 they have a good reputation for quality products
and good service. They are listed as a source of Chinese herbs in over 60 books. On their website you can
buy whole ginseng roots (American
ginseng, Chinese
ginseng, Korean
ginseng, and semi-wild
Yi-sun ginseng). You can also buy Korean,
American,
or Siberian
Ginseng in capsules. They also have hundreds of other Chinese
herb products for treating minor health complaints or to be used as
tonics.
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