Ginseng: The Most Popular Herbal Remedy Around
Ginseng: The Most Popular Herbal Remedy Around
Many medicinal attributes are ascribed to ginseng, a word that in Chinese
means the “wonder of the world”. The generic name for ginseng,
however, is panax from the Greek word panacea, which means, “Cure
all”. Primarily, this herb is respected for its almost mythical power to
delay the aging process and prolong life by cleansing the human body
when ingested regularly. In ancient times in China, the right to take the
plant’s root is assigned only to the emperor.
Believe it or not, China used to pay a high price for importing ginseng
from Canada and the U.S.! There is a Chinese version for this herb, but
somehow many Chinese believe that the North American variety is much
more potent as the aboriginal Indians have used it for centuries. Ginseng
was first discovered in the western world in 1704.
There is a great abundance of different formulations for ginseng, many
of which are not scientifically proven. The medical profession does not
consider it a remedy. But lack of formal medical recognition does not
pale its popularity. Many Chinese elders still attribute their long life to the
plant, which is boiled and its liquid residue drank in regular quantities.
Nowadays, it is administered in tea, powder and sometimes even candy
format.
In modern day China, ginseng is used particularly for dyspepsia, vomiting
and nervous disorders. A decoction of 1/2 oz. of the root, boiled in tea or
soup is taken every morning. In the heyday of tuberculosis, Chinese
village doctors turned to it as a potent cure.
In Western herbal medicine ginseng is considered a mild stomach tonic
and stimulant, useful in loss of appetite and in alleviating digestive
problems.