The Pagan Heart
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August-September 2005 Issue
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Herbs Under Scrutiny: Ginseng: "The Wonder of the World"
By Jill Bentley
"The word ginseng is said to mean 'the wonder of the world'...in reference to the miraculous virtues ascribed to it by the Chinese, who consider it a sovereign remedy in almost all diseases," Botanical.com: Ginseng. Sounds gimmicky doesn't it? Just another one of those weird American fads that will fade in a couple of months, right? That's kinda the first reaction I felt when everyone started sprouting off on the 'wonder tea' ginseng. So here I am looking into the hype for myself - maybe I'll find some truth in these tea leaves. Ginseng grows naturally in both China and North America, a small yellow flowered plant with little red berries, although the Chinese ginseng is larger. In China the roots are called "jin-chen" which translates to "like a man" because they resemble the human form. Interestingly, the North American Indians named it "garantoquen" which translates similarly for the same reason. There is such a high demand for ginseng in China that the North American plant started being shipped overseas in 1718, a practice that is still going on today but the resources are now much depleted and to grow commercially is not yet feasible. The first record of ginseng dates from 1st century B.C. in a Chinese Herbal. Ginseng was so prized that at times it was often used as payment instead of currency. The Seminole Indians thought it to be a love medicine and prescribed to men that by rubbing it on the body and clothes it would bring back a mad wife. In the 1700's when ginseng exportation to China from North America took off it was really the trappers that did the harvesting. In the fall and winter they trapped for furs, but in the summer to early autumn they harvested ginseng. In fact it is said that Daniel Boone made his fortune with ginseng, not fur although that's what he's remembered for. Ginseng's healing properties are many but there seems to be a division between Eastern and Western medicine. In Eastern medicine it is used for dyspepsia, vomiting, and nervous disorders, but mostly they go with the motto: "The prepared root is chewed by the sick to recover health, and by the healthy to increase their vitality," Botanical.com: Ginseng. In Western medicine it is considered a mild stomach tonic and stimulant. The Western motto goes along the lines of: "Ginseng is highly prized as an adaptogen (a product that does no harm, but increases the body's resistance to stress). Unfortunately, this property is extremely difficult to prove scientifically." Wikipedia: Ginseng. Some reports I found said that ginseng both stimulates and relaxes the nervous system, improves stamina, lowers blood suger and cholesterol levels, and increase resistance to disease. It treats lack of appetite, insomnia, stress, shock, and chronic illness. It's good for the metabolism and promotes general well-being. Its reputed to improve mental clarity and memory, and work as an aphrrodisiac for both men and women.Ginseng is best raw, either fresh or dried and eaten like candy. Ginseng's magical properties are a lot funnier. Its main uses are for promoting sexual potency, lust, viality, and long life. Carry the root to attract love, enhance beauty, and draw money. It is also a protector, wish fulifiller, and spiritual connector. By burning the root or powder form you can ward off evil, break curses, and repel negative spirits. So if you're feeling a little under the weather or just want to keep the good healthy feeling or need a little more lust in your life a good rescipe to try is green tea with ginseng. Heat four cups of water and then remove from the heat. Put in 4 green tea teabags and cover tightly and let steep for about an hour. In a pitcher add 1/4 cup sugar, 1 teaspoon of honey, 1 1/4 teaspoons of lemon juice, and 4 drops of ginseng extract. Pour steeped tea over the mixure and stir, then let chill. With all this information it's hard to discount something that two very different groups of people (Native Indians and the Chinese) have been using for hundereds of years. So there might just be something to all this. Ginseng turned out to be different then I thought - I mean they never advertised the lust inducement on those infomercials and it sure does make a great tea!
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