“Korean gold”, mystic “root of life” and mysterious “elixir of eternal life” are a few fancy adages given to Ginseng. Even the most casual of visitors to Korea would have bumped into the light tan, gnarled root, often resembling a decapitated human body, with stringy shoots that look like arms and legs. Hundreds of years ago, herbalists took this appearance to mean that ginseng could cure all human ills, and it has, in fact, been used as a “cure-all” in many different cultures. The Chinese call it “Ren Shen”, in Korea it is “In Sam”, and in English “Ginseng”. The Chinese & Korean name refers to its shape and usage “man root”. It has long been considered a panacea for virtually any human condition.
The Gyeong-dong Oriental medicine market near Dongdaemun has over 1,000 shops selling Asian medicines, roots, herbs, spices, and ginseng. Many of the merchants grow the items themselves. Ginseng, which can be bought at over 300 of the shops and stalls, is brought directly from the areas of production and can be purchased cheaper than in department stores. Fresh ginseng, ginseng extracts and ginseng tea are some of the bestselling goods.
Korean InSam is one of the most widely used and acclaimed herbs in the world. Its scientific name is Panax ginseng, which is the species from which Chinese, Korean, red, and white ginseng are produced. Chinese and Korean ginseng are the same plant cultivated in different regions, and have slightly different properties according to Oriental practitioners. White ginseng is simply the dried or powdered root of Korean ginseng, while red is the same root that is steamed and dried in heat or sunlight. The latter is said to be slightly stronger and more stimulating in the body than white.
Scientifically speaking, Korean ginseng is a member of the Araliaceae family of plants, which also includes closely related American and Siberian ginseng, both considered by herbalists to be different herbs than Korean, and are said to have different effects and healing properties in the body. To add more confusion, there are eight herbs in Chinese medicine which are sometimes called ginseng, including black, purple and prince's ginseng, some of which are not at all botanically related to Panax family, so consumers should choose the products with awareness.
A typical Korean ginseng reaches a height of 60 to 80 cm, with light colored fleshy root. The taste of the Korean ginseng root is sweet with a bitter aftertaste. Only the ginseng root is used for medicinal properties which is available as powdered form, half cut and dried roots and as liquid or powder extracts. The older roots are said to contain more healing properties and are highly valued and sought after. Folklore suggests that the very old roots glow in the dark, revealing an inner light.
According to a local Oriental practitioner Dr.Hong Yul Kim, the main active ingredients of Korean ginseng are ginsenosides. These steroid-like phytochemicals are said to have adaptogenic properties, which enable the wonder root to counter the effects of stress. To summarize the numerous research findings, Korean ginseng has been shown in studies to have significant effects for:
Physical improvement and performance enhancement for athletes.
Mental performance improvement and mood enhancement.
Anti-fatigue and anti-stress actions.
Lowering blood sugar.
Antioxidant properties.
Cholesterol reduction.
Anticancer effects and immune system stimulation.
Physical and mental improvement in the elderly.
Impotence and induces sex drives.
Ms.Ugh, a retail seller of ginseng products, says that “Roots should be sliced and boiled in water for up to 45 minutes to extract all the beneficial nutrients”. She further adds that ginseng should be taken between meals for best assimilation. It is recommended that ginseng be taken in cycles and not continuously. Likewise, Korean ginseng should not be taken longer than two months at a time, after which one month's rest period should be allowed before resuming the cycle again. Oriental practitioners recommend that ginseng be taken primarily in the autumn and winter months.
A Word of Caution
Before using ginseng, it is advisable to analyze the different forms of the root, and which type is best suited for each individual. Herbalists do not recommend Korean ginseng for those people who have “heat” disorders in their bodies, such as ulcers, high blood pressure, tension headaches, and symptoms associated with high stress levels. Korean ginseng is generally not recommended for those with symptoms of nervousness, mental imbalance, inflammation, or fever. It is also not recommended for pregnant or lactating women, and women of childbearing age, as some studies imply that it can influence estrogen levels. Also, Oriental practitioners typically only prescribe ginseng to older people or the weak, as they believe that younger and stronger people do not benefit as much from it and ginseng is "wasted on the young”. Please note that it is extremely important to obtain an accurate diagnosis before trying Ginseng. Ginseng is traditionally combined with other herbs, to create a beneficial balance, when prescribed by herbalists. Successful prescribing depends upon a close understanding of the patient’s symptoms. For this reason, it is not advisable to buy ginseng over the counter without a personal consultation.
Remember that herbs alone are not the saviours of health. Whole food diets are the cornerstone for regeneration of body and mind. Herbs are only an adjunct to the regenerative process. They are often powerful herbs with strong medicinal content and should be used cautiously in the normal diet.
The Gyeong-dong Oriental medicine market near Dongdaemun has over 1,000 shops selling Asian medicines, roots, herbs, spices, and ginseng. Many of the merchants grow the items themselves. Ginseng, which can be bought at over 300 of the shops and stalls, is brought directly from the areas of production and can be purchased cheaper than in department stores. Fresh ginseng, ginseng extracts and ginseng tea are some of the bestselling goods.
Korean InSam is one of the most widely used and acclaimed herbs in the world. Its scientific name is Panax ginseng, which is the species from which Chinese, Korean, red, and white ginseng are produced. Chinese and Korean ginseng are the same plant cultivated in different regions, and have slightly different properties according to Oriental practitioners. White ginseng is simply the dried or powdered root of Korean ginseng, while red is the same root that is steamed and dried in heat or sunlight. The latter is said to be slightly stronger and more stimulating in the body than white.
Scientifically speaking, Korean ginseng is a member of the Araliaceae family of plants, which also includes closely related American and Siberian ginseng, both considered by herbalists to be different herbs than Korean, and are said to have different effects and healing properties in the body. To add more confusion, there are eight herbs in Chinese medicine which are sometimes called ginseng, including black, purple and prince's ginseng, some of which are not at all botanically related to Panax family, so consumers should choose the products with awareness.
A typical Korean ginseng reaches a height of 60 to 80 cm, with light colored fleshy root. The taste of the Korean ginseng root is sweet with a bitter aftertaste. Only the ginseng root is used for medicinal properties which is available as powdered form, half cut and dried roots and as liquid or powder extracts. The older roots are said to contain more healing properties and are highly valued and sought after. Folklore suggests that the very old roots glow in the dark, revealing an inner light.
According to a local Oriental practitioner Dr.Hong Yul Kim, the main active ingredients of Korean ginseng are ginsenosides. These steroid-like phytochemicals are said to have adaptogenic properties, which enable the wonder root to counter the effects of stress. To summarize the numerous research findings, Korean ginseng has been shown in studies to have significant effects for:
Physical improvement and performance enhancement for athletes.
Mental performance improvement and mood enhancement.
Anti-fatigue and anti-stress actions.
Lowering blood sugar.
Antioxidant properties.
Cholesterol reduction.
Anticancer effects and immune system stimulation.
Physical and mental improvement in the elderly.
Impotence and induces sex drives.
Ms.Ugh, a retail seller of ginseng products, says that “Roots should be sliced and boiled in water for up to 45 minutes to extract all the beneficial nutrients”. She further adds that ginseng should be taken between meals for best assimilation. It is recommended that ginseng be taken in cycles and not continuously. Likewise, Korean ginseng should not be taken longer than two months at a time, after which one month's rest period should be allowed before resuming the cycle again. Oriental practitioners recommend that ginseng be taken primarily in the autumn and winter months.
A Word of Caution
Before using ginseng, it is advisable to analyze the different forms of the root, and which type is best suited for each individual. Herbalists do not recommend Korean ginseng for those people who have “heat” disorders in their bodies, such as ulcers, high blood pressure, tension headaches, and symptoms associated with high stress levels. Korean ginseng is generally not recommended for those with symptoms of nervousness, mental imbalance, inflammation, or fever. It is also not recommended for pregnant or lactating women, and women of childbearing age, as some studies imply that it can influence estrogen levels. Also, Oriental practitioners typically only prescribe ginseng to older people or the weak, as they believe that younger and stronger people do not benefit as much from it and ginseng is "wasted on the young”. Please note that it is extremely important to obtain an accurate diagnosis before trying Ginseng. Ginseng is traditionally combined with other herbs, to create a beneficial balance, when prescribed by herbalists. Successful prescribing depends upon a close understanding of the patient’s symptoms. For this reason, it is not advisable to buy ginseng over the counter without a personal consultation.
Remember that herbs alone are not the saviours of health. Whole food diets are the cornerstone for regeneration of body and mind. Herbs are only an adjunct to the regenerative process. They are often powerful herbs with strong medicinal content and should be used cautiously in the normal diet.
2 comments:
Hi - The article is very nice. Keep up the good work. - Harish
First time I’m reading a sensible, informative blog…
-rajkumar
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