GINSENG Panax Quinquefolium Also see Ginseng  in our Gallery Section Ginseng Harvesters Site

Other Names: American Ginseng, San, Redberry, five fingers, man root, divine root, Root of life

Habitat: Maine to Minnesota, N. Georgia, Kentucky, Arkansas and China.

Properties: Ginseng stimulates and increases endocrine activity in the body. Promotes a mild increase in metabolic activity and relaxes heart and artery movements. Stimulates the mdeulla centers and relaxes the central nervous system.

CAUTION: Don't take Ginseng and Ginseng mixtures with Coffee as it will accelerate the caffine effects on the body and can cause diarrhea.

There are several way to prepare and use Ginseng, more than I have in my Grimoire, I'm sure. The ones I am familiar with follow:

1) Chewed as a root, raw, about a pencil's thickness and 1" long is best.

2) As a Tea, 1 teaspoon of root filaments in a pint of boiling water for 10 minutes (chew & swallow the pulp). Sip tea very slowly.

3) KaoLiang : this is a very expensive Chinese wine, aged at least 3 years. It has a strength level of vodka in alchol content. Makes an excellent nightcap.

4) French Love Wine: two parts chablis, crush in an ounce of vanilla bean, ounce of cinnamon chips, one dried Rhubarb and one of ginseng. Leave stand 2 weeks & stir it daily. Strain thru cheesecloth and add amber for color, if desired.

Japanese Ginseng should be avoided, as most of it is of poor quality. Korea exports ginseng 'tea' which is pleasant, but is heavily cut with other herbs so that some of the effects are lost.

Ginseng is said to be highly good for the metabolism, and promotes general well being. It has a reputation as an aphrodisiac, but this seems to be totally based on the fact that it relaxes the overly tense person a bit. If you suffer from back pain or TMJ adding this to a tea of Catnip and slippery elm may help. It is also presumably useable as an ingredient in a meade or magewine.

For more information about Ginseng, see our Ginseng site at altnature.com/ginseng

Copyright 1996, 1998 by Lori Herron, R.N.and Alternative Nature
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