Behold, Panax
Ginseng is one of the top three most beneficial herbs known to man. No single source of documentation could provide information on the herb in entirety. It remains the main subject of many legends and folklores as well as interesting affirmations that earn it a high degree of venerability. The botanical name, Panax is a derivative of the Greek word “panacea” meaning “all healing”. The name was taken from two Greek words: “Pan”, meaning power, and “akos” meaning ills. Combined, they translate loosely as a plant that cure all ills. The non-botanical name, “ginseng” is Chinese, meaning “man plant”. This name is an attribute to the shape of its roots bearing striking resemblance to a man. Chinese legend say a superior root resembles a man walking in an estimable gait.
There are four varieties of Ginseng used for medicinal purposes today: Tienchi Ginseng (Panax pseudoginseng), Siberian Ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus), Korean Ginseng (Panax schin-seng), and the Wild American Ginseng (Panax quinquefolium). They all have similar reactions in the body. Interestingly, a great majority of Chinese and Japanese prefer the American Ginseng, while Americans prefer the Korean and Chinese variety. Most of the Panax Ginseng in the market today are Chinese and Korean exports. The Panax varieties are not recommended for women, as prolonged use can produce testosterone. Herbalists suggest women should use the Panax variety for no more than six-week periods, with a six-month break in between.
The Wild American variety is the more preferred among users. It is considered more balancing and often recommended for relieving fatigue, increasing bodily fluids, and stimulating vital organs. It is also used to relieve internal bleeding, such as nose bleeds, uterine bleeding, blood in urine and stools. American Ginseng is suitable for women entering menopause. It is helpful for relieving the side effects concomitant with the period of life like hot flashes, night sweat and irritability.
It is said that elderly Asian women drink a tea made from American Ginseng everyday to maintain beauty and tone, as well as for skin refinement, capillary strengthening, and wrinkle reduction purposes. Ginseng has commanded huge admiration from Asians. The Chinese once held it in such high esteem that they fought wars over cultivation lands. It was so valuable, like it fell down from heaven! Leaders built fences around entire Ginseng provinces to protect growing lands. Storage areas were protected by armed guards; and smuggling the root was punishable by death.
Folklore has it that Ginseng came into existence when a depressed young wife desperately seeking a remedy for her childlessness had a dream about an old man with a plant root remedy. She considered her dream a divine revelation and so frantically searched for the old man. She found him in the mountains, he gave her the remedy, and she bore a child. When she returned to thank him, he was so moved by her gratitude that he filled the woods with this miraculous plant. The plant, of course, was Ginseng. Apparently, the old man was a supreme being of some sort. I wonder if the child was named Ginseng!