Ginseng (Chinese: Renshen, Latin: Panax ginseng C. A. Mey) is probably the most well-known Chinese herb. I still remember that, when I was little, I can pretty much count on receiving a gift box of nicely packaged Ginseng in each Spring Festival. Ginseng grows as a perennial herb under a very selective condition: in cool and moist climate with very small temperature fluctuation. Because Ginseng only grows in a few limited geographic areas naturally and because of the over exploration in these areas, wild Ginseng is on the verge of extinction—it is now a protected species in China. Ginsengs that you can find on the market are mostly cultured species.
Chinese medicine considers Ginseng the “King of herbs.” It is believed that medicinal use of Ginseng in China started more than four thousand years ago. The earliest medicinal use of Ginseng was found in the “Emergency Book” from the Han Dynasty (BC 33 to 48 years). According to the “Compendium of Materia Medica” published in 1590, the “Emergency Book” was a revision of a book written before the Han Dynasty. The implication is that Ginseng has been used as an herb for a very long time.
Ginseng has a high medicinal value. According to the “Mystic Farmer’s Herbal Handbook”, Ginseng can “nourish five major organs, calm spirit, comfort soul, sooth anxiety, clear toxin, clarify eyes, strengthen cardiovascular system, and support brain function.” In traditional Chinese medicine, the herb has been used in formulations for treating every imaginable diseases including high blood pressure, cancer, cardiovascular disease, dizziness, night sweat, and lung disease.
Chemically speaking, Ginseng contains more than 30 glycoside such as ginsenoside and pseudoginsenoside saponin; terpenoids such as panaxadiol and panaxatriol; organic acids and lipids such as citric acid, isocitric acid, fumaric acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, cic-butendicarboxylic acid, malic acid, pyruvic acid, succinic acid, tartaric acid, panax acid, salicyclic acid, vanillic acid, phhydroxycinnamic acid, tryglyeride, palmitic acid, and palmitin; vitamins such as Viamin B1, B2, B12, and C, nicotinic acid, folic acid, and biotin; steroids such as beta-sitosterol, stigmasteroil, daucosteroil, campesteroil, and sitosteryl-O-(6-O-fatty acyl)-glucopyranoside.
Pharmacological study of Ginseng extract shows that Ginseng works on central nervous system, cardiovascular system, immune system, as well as endocrine system. Ginseng is capable of balancing the activation of central nervous system by increasing neuron transmitter production, reducing anxiety by increasing brain’s glucose consumption, enhancing memory by promoting protein, DNA and RNA synthesis, and lessening stress by enhancing brain blood flow and O2 intake. Ginseng has been shown to strengthen cardiovascular system by enhancing hear muscle, increasing hear muscle contraction, protecting hear muscle cells by reducing free radicals, lowering blood pressure, reducing blood cholesterol level, soften blood vessels, and promoting blood cell production. Additionally, Ginseng is shown to lower blood sugar level, detoxify the liver, and increase the base metabolism.
In general, modern chemical and pharmacological studies support the Ginseng’s medicinal function originated from more than four thousand years ago—Ginseng provides support to “five major organs.” In my next post, I will provide recipes on how to incorporate the “king of herbs” into your skincare regime.
Thanks for reading!
Connie
www.cherruby.com
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