Ginseng has long been used as a medicinal herb in Asia and mainly in
Ayurveda Kerala. Its names, which translates from Chinese as "man" (gin) "essence" (seng) indicates the esteem in which is it held. While it has gained immense popularity in the West recently, it has been used in Britain as far back as the reign of Charles II, when it was worth three times its weight in silver.
Healing uses: Ginseng improves the general well being of individuals. Specifically, it is crediting with boosting the appetite, decreasing stress levels, increasing stamina, improving concentration, enhancing physical and mental performance and aiding general healing. To obtain these benefits, a dosage of 1/2-2g of dried ginseng root or 200-600mg of ginseng extract daily is recommended. While the extract is widely available at health stores, it may be necessary to visit a specialist Asian supplies store for the unprocessed root. Ginseng is recommended to improve the general condition of frail elderly people in a milder dose of 0.4-0.8g of root or 150-250mg of extract. Ginseng tea makes an excellent pick-me-up when one is stressed or depressed. It can be made from scratch by grinding 1 teaspoon of dried root in a coffee grinder (thoroughly cleaned, or kept expressly for this purpose as coffee and ginseng do not mix well). Pour 1 cup of boiling water over the ground root and leave to steep for 15 minutes. Strain and sweeten with honey if necessary. An easier way is to make the tea with ginseng teabags, available from health stores. These are usually less effective, however, as they are often adulterated with other herbs. Ginseng tea makes an excellent aphrodisiac, too! Ginseng can also be effective for diabetics and to ease liver problems. For these matters it is recommended that you see a qualified herbalist.
Cautions: Ginseng should never be mixed with caffeine or alcohol, as this can cause headaches and high blood pressure. A qualified herbalist should be consulted before taking ginseng while using steroids, medication which lowers blood sugar, or some anti-depressants. Ginseng should be avoided during pregnancy and breast-feeding. It should also be noted that some commercially available ginseng extracts contain very little active herb. Check the potency before buying.
Growing Ginseng: Ginseng takes 5-6 years to mature, so it is recommended only to the most patient gardeners! It can be grown from seeds, which are sown in autumn with a spacing of 15cm if growing multiple plants. It requires plenty of shade and grows best in a rich, loamy soil. While ginseng is fairly tough, it requires protection from frost in winter and humidity in summer. Once mature, the roots are harvested and allowed to dry slowly, preferably outside.
