Tight ginseng root has been used in Korean and Chinese herbal medicine for thousands of years, and today the therapeutic qualities of ginseng are appreciated throughout the world. American ginseng (Ginseng quinquefolia) is an understory plant found in the eastern deciduous forest of the United States, in southern Quebec and Ontario (Canada). The plant and root were used by various North American tribes. American ginseng has been harvested and exported to Asia for more than 300 years, beginning when a Jesuit priest named Joseph Francis Lafiteau found a ginseng plant growing near Montreal, Canada in 1716. Today, wild ginseng roots are still exported to Asia, where the roots highest quality can sell for hundreds of dollars, for about 0.5 kg.
Steps
- In the second year, a new stem grows, usually reaching a height of 5 inches or more, and the plant usually has two leaves or branches, with each branch having 3-5 leaves. In the third year, the plants may grow individual umbels of 6-20 small yellow-green flowers, then the plants usually have 2-3 leaves or branches. wild plants it may take several years to flower or set fruit. The flowers produce berries that change color from green to red when ripe in the fall.
- Over subsequent years (a ginseng plant can live 30 to 50 years), additional leaves or branches grow, each branch has 3-5 (usually 5, but sometimes more or less) leaves and a mature plant can have a stem up to 20 inches tall ( up to 50 cm) with 3-4, rarely 5 or more branches of leaves. A mature plant may have different quantities leaves, for example, 3 branches of leaves can grow in one year and 2 branches in subsequent years.
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Go where the ginseng grows. Ginseng is a native species to eastern deciduous forests North America, from southern Canada (Ontario and Quebec), west to South Dakota and Oklahoma, and also from south to Georgia. 1 Ginseng is also grown commercially outside its natural habitat in Oregon and Washington. Only 19 states allow wild ginseng to be harvested in the United States.
- Ginseng does not tolerate heat well, so in the southeastern states it is usually found only in mountainous areas. It tends to grow in well-shaded areas (especially on north- or east-facing slopes) moist deciduous forests, especially where tulipwood, maple, beech, hickory, walnut, and occasionally oak trees grow, especially in the Appalachian and Ozark regions . The older the forest (where there are large deciduous trees and plenty of leaf canopy that shades most shrubs, rosehips, etc.), the better for ginseng. The thicker the undergrowth small plant, the more it shades or crowds out the ginseng plants.
- The plant is highly prized and known populations are kept secret, so you'll have to venture deep into the forest to find anything.
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Look for companion plants. One of the indicators that you are in an area where ginseng can grow is the presence of so-called “companion plants.” These are plants that have similar habitats to ginseng and that sometimes grow among it.
- These include trillium (Trillium spp.), cinquefoil (Sanguinaria canadensis), cohosh (Caulophyllum tralicthroides - blue, black cohosh - black), arizema (Arizema trifolia), wild yam, hydrastis (Goldenroot), and straw (Polygonatum biflorum). Of course, finding any of these plants does not guarantee that you will find ginseng.
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Harvest only mature plants with red berries. If harvesting wild ginseng is allowed in your state (and again, only 19 states allow this harvest), harvest only mature plants with 3 or more leaf branches. If you find many mature plants in the area, do not remove all the plants so that they can continue to regenerate just like the immature ones. You can protect these plants from other harvesters by removing leaves from the plants.
Dig carefully. When you find a mature plant with 3 branches (or 4 branches in Illinois), carefully dig up the root so as not to damage its neck. Use a fork or the tip of a shovel to dig around the plant, and leave enough space (about 6 inches) between the plant and where you stick the fork or shovel into the ground.
- Be careful with neighboring plants and try not to harm them. If the plant is close to a young ginseng, use a smaller tool, such as a sturdy flathead screwdriver, about 8 or 10 inches long, and work with extreme care. If there is a risk of damaging the roots of neighboring young ginseng plants, do not attempt to harvest the plant.
- Once you have dug up the plant, gather the red berries in the palm of your hand and plant the seeds in the soil about 1 inch deep near the collected plants. Never remove ginseng seeds or immature plants from the forest.
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Wash and dry the root(s). When you get home, leave the roots to soak for a while in a bucket of cold water to wash away the soil. Do not wash them under a tap or hose. Do not scrub or wash them vigorously, as soil residue can easily damage the root surface. Then place the roots on a mesh tray to dry. Make sure the roots are not touching and allow them to dry for wooden shelf in a well-ventilated room, the temperature of which should be 21 - 35 degrees Celsius.
Research the laws governing the cultivation and harvest of ginseng in your country. Get it all necessary permissions or licenses. Ginseng has declined significantly since European settlement in North America, largely due to overharvesting of wild roots and habitat loss.
Learn to identify the ginseng plant. Ginseng is a perennial herbaceous plant that germinates in early spring with a single stem having a whorl of 1-4 palmate leaflets, each leaf consisting of 3-5 individual leaves. Leaves fall due to a decrease in temperature and light intensity. After germination, the tiny plant emerges from the seed and develops into a single thin stem 2-5 inches (5-13 cm) tall that has a single leaf.
- To ensure the survival of the species (and to avoid fines or jail time), always follow your state's laws regarding the collection of wild ginseng, cultivation and sale of wild or purportedly wild ginseng. Never collect young plants; never collect plants out of season; and never harvest wild ginseng at all unless prohibited by law.
- Use caution to prevent poaching. Secrecy – best protection from poachers. Make sure your crop is on private property, well hidden and unlikely to be discovered. Don't talk about it more than necessary, and work only with trusted suppliers and buyers. Once the plants mature, be especially vigilant. If you catch poachers in the act, try to detain them until law enforcement officers arrive.
- Be careful when you encounter potential poachers and avoid using force or violence to confront them.
This is how dreams of a panacea arose - a cure for all ailments at once. Such wonderful properties was attributed in ancient times to ginseng. The Russians call it stosil, and the Chinese call it the root of life. What do we know about him?
Where does ginseng live?
This root does not grow everywhere. It prefers moist and shaded places, as well as solitude. It is found in China, Korea and Russia (Primorsky Territory, Altai). Numerous legends say that the root once lived only in China, but after the sage Lao Tzu discovered its rare healing power people, he fled to the north and took refuge in the Ussuri region. Once three brothers went in search of him, but got lost and died in the taiga. According to legend, they still roam the forest and call to each other. If a root collector in the taiga hears voices from nowhere, then he should not go in the direction from which they are coming, otherwise, they say, he will forever get lost in his search. eternal life…
In the East, they firmly believe that the ginseng root can only be revealed to a person with a pure soul, so hunters for it never take weapons with them and cannot repel criminals who sometimes try to take away the found root by force - after all, it is very valuable and can bring its owner much money.
Another belief says that ginseng, fleeing from people, created its own likeness, which the Chinese call “pantsui”. The shape of the root can be similar to a human figure. The greater the similarity, the more beneficial the pantsuy is for health, the more vitality, and in addition, this means that somewhere nearby there is real ginseng growing, supposedly giving. They say that it blooms, illuminating the darkness of the taiga with a bright light, but sinners are not able to see this light...
Elixir for the Emperor
They say that Emperor Qin Shi Huang Di dreamed of the elixir of eternal life. Court doctors and mystics were tasked with finding a recipe for immortality, and the learned men sat in the library for a long time, studying ancient manuscripts... Their conclusion was clear: if there is such a plant, then it can only be ginseng. They told the emperor about the miracle root growing in the North, and the ruler equipped a small army on the road.
They say that the soldiers managed to find the root and deliver it to the court. But the court oracle said that although the plant is indeed good for health, the true root, which grants immortality, grows even further to the north... Different countries the emperor's troops passed through, and everywhere people tried to buy off the wrath of the ruler medicinal plants. All the plants that arrived in the Middle Kingdom could make a person happy for a long and healthy life, but the root of immortality was not among them. Many rulers of the lands subject to the emperor laid their heads on the chopping block because of this, but the elixir of eternal life was never created...
Plant and bird
Due to the fact that the spread of ginseng is largely facilitated by birds, among the peoples of the East, the images of the root and the bird are closely connected. It is believed that there once lived a young man who thoroughly studied the properties of plants. He was smart, handsome, but poor. Selfishness was not inherent in him; he healed many just for a bowl of food. The healer's fame grew over time, and then one day a certain rich man, suffering from an incurable illness, heard about him. He immediately ordered to find the young man and promised that in case of healing he would fulfill any wish of the doctor, if it was in his power. The young man treated the rich man for a long time, and while he was fiddling with various potions, the sick man’s daughter, a beautiful and young girl, fell in love with him. After recovery, the rich man was ready to shower the healer with gold, but he refused, asking for the hand of his daughter. The father's anger knew no bounds. He neglected his promise, banished the young man to distant lands, but even at a distance the lovers could not forget about each other. One day, a girl, seizing a moment when her parent was not at home, ran away and followed her lover. The rich man returned home and set out to chase them. His hirelings galloped to the mountain ranges and almost caught up with the lovers, but then the young man turned into a ginseng root, and the girl into a bird... Even today, search engines are always looking for a healing root where many birds gather.
Miracle from the pharmacy
Every year, ginseng sheds its stems, leaving traces of them on the root, which scientists use to calculate the age of the plant. I must say, this is not an easy matter. Roots have already been found that have lived for 140 years, and some experts are convinced that ginseng can easily live up to 400 years.
Collect ginseng root from Lately has become difficult, this requires special permission, but acquiring it has become much easier. After all, they have been trying to “cultivate” the “root of life” since the 18th century. The experiment was a success. Now ginseng grows and spreads well in temperate zones. Usually it is placed between spreading trees that cast the shade that the plant loves so much, watered and sprinkled with sawdust to protect it from the sun.
Various tinctures and preparations containing ginseng are available today. They give vigor, relieve nervous and physical tension, fatigue, and when taken regularly they can actually prolong life.
Panax ginseng
Taxon: family Araliaceae ( Araliaceae)
Other names: root of life, root man, Asian ginseng, divine herb, etc.
English: Asian Ginseng, Ginseng, Chinese Ginseng, Korean Ginseng, Asiatic Ginseng
The generic name of ginseng - Panax comes from Greek words pan- All, ax- to heal; Chinese name for the root ginseng, derived from jen- person and chen- root. “The king of beasts is the tiger,” says the Chinese proverb: Ginseng in Chinese is the root of life, man is the root. Russian names of the plant: divine herb, gift of immortality, salt of the earth, root of life, miracle of the world.
Description
Perennial herbaceous plant of the Araliaceae family with a powerful tap root up to 20-25 cm long, 2-2.5 cm in diameter. Sometimes the root looks like a human figure, which is why it is called the human root.
The stem is single, straight, thin, 30-70 cm high, ending in a whorl of long-petioled leaves. The leaves are collected in a whorl of 2-5 pieces, palmately pentasyllabic, leaflets on petioles up to 1 cm long, obovate, wedge-shaped at the base, narrowed-pointed at the apex, finely serrate along the edge, with sparse hairs on top, two lower lateral leaves smaller than the upper ones, 2-3 cm long, 1-1.5 cm wide, the other 3 leaflets are 4-15 cm long, 2.2-4 cm wide, of which the middle leaf is the longest.
The peduncle is apical, thin, about 20 cm long, with one terminal spherical umbrella or in the lower part with 1-3 more branches bearing smaller umbrellas.
The flowers of common ginseng are bisexual and staminate, inconspicuous, 5-16 in an umbel, and in old plants - up to 50 or more in an inflorescence; calyxes of 5 very small wide blunt teeth about 0.3 mm long and 0.5 mm wide; petals 5, pink or less often greenish-white, oblong and obtuse or pointed, about 1 mm long, 0.2-0.3 mm wide; stamens 5, slightly shorter than petals; styles 2, rarely 3, free, slightly shorter than the petals and almost equal to the stamens.
The fruit is a drupe the size of a bird cherry, bright red, mostly bilocular, with one white disc-shaped seed in each nest. The fruits are poisonous. Blooms in July, fruits ripen in August-September,
Spreading
In the wild, common ginseng grows in shaded areas in mixed and cedar forests of the Ussuri taiga - in the Primorsky and southern parts of the Khabarovsk Territory. Listed in the Red Book of Russia. Very rare. In laboratories and special factories, ginseng biomass can be grown using artificial media using cell culture.
Growing
The cultivation of ginseng, unlike many other plants, requires great care and patience. Ginseng grows very slowly and must be protected throughout its growth period. First you need to dig up the ground at least fifteen times so that it becomes soft, and remove the larvae from it, which die in the sun. Any use of insecticides leads to the complete loss of all its qualities by the root. It is necessary to place a canopy over the plant in such a way that it receives only one Sunbeam. After three years, excess buds are immediately removed from the plant. And only after six years, when it has already reached a considerable height, the plant can be dug out of the ground, but with all precautions so as not to damage the numerous small roots. In addition to this, the place where ginseng grew cannot be used for ten years. Therefore, ginseng still remains a rare and expensive product. The desire to simplify the culture of ginseng may lead to the loss of at least some of its undeniable advantages.
Collection and preparation
Ginseng is harvested in fresh and dried form, subjecting it to special treatment(most often the fresh root is boiled in sugar syrup). Harvesting ginseng roots once required enormous effort. It was, in particular, forbidden to touch the plant with an iron object.
Finished raw materials appearance represents fleshy roots with 2-5 large branches, the “body” of the root is thickened, almost cylindrical, spirally or longitudinally wrinkled on the outside; dried roots are fragile, yellowish-white in color; in the upper part of the root there is a “neck” connecting the root to the above-ground stem. The rhizome has a weak specific odor, sweet, pungent, then bitter taste. Can be stored for up to 5 years.
Chemical composition ginseng root
Panax ginseng root contains: saponins: ginsenosides (panaxosides) - triterpene glycosides; Xatriols are a group of glycosides in which oleanolic acid serves as an aglycone; biologically active polyacetylenes: falcarinol, falcarintriol, panaxinol (content in red ginseng powder 250 μg/g), panaxidol (content 297 μg/g), panaxytriol (content 320 μg/g); peptides - low molecular weight N-glutamyl oligopeptides consisting of several amino acid residues; polysaccharides (the content of water-soluble polysaccharides reaches 38.7%, alkali-soluble ones - about 7.8-10%) and essential oils (up to 80% of essential oils are sesquiterpenes, of which the largest proportion (up to 5-6%) is farnesol)); vitamins (C, group B, pantothenic, nicotinic, folic acid), mucus, resins, pectin, amino acids; macroelements: potassium, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium; trace elements: iron, copper, cobalt, manganese, molybdenum, zinc, chromium, titanium.
A study of the distribution of five microelements (copper, iron, molybdenum, manganese and zinc) in ginseng roots showed a clear increase in their content towards the end of the growing season;
Relatively recently, the attention of researchers was drawn to the content of metallic germanium or its salts in ginseng preparations. It is assumed that the presence of germanium in ginseng preparations is important for the manifestation medicinal properties plants.
Ginseng- a strong energy restorer, in this regard it is a means of tonic for cardiac activity and, accordingly, increases excitability; finally, it increases the resistance of a poorly developing embryo. It is especially recommended to prevent the effects of aging and is considered a means of prolonging life.
It is generally accepted that ginseng stimulates the central nervous system, which makes it possible to classify it as a substance that enhances excitation processes and weakens inhibition processes in the cerebral cortex. However, controversial issues about the effect of various doses of ginseng on the central nervous, cardiovascular and other systems have not yet been clarified. The stimulating effect of ginseng root on the body is attributed to panaxin. Panaxic acid enhances metabolic processes and promotes faster breakdown of fats. Panaquillone stimulates the endocrine apparatus and increases the content of hormones in the body. Ginzenin regulates carbohydrate metabolism, lowers blood sugar and increases glycogen synthesis. Accelerates the healing process of ulcers, increases the secretion of bile, the concentration of bilirubin and bile acids in it, increases the photosensitivity of the human eye when adapting to darkness, and suppresses the vital activity of some microorganisms.
Use of ginseng in medicine
Ginseng preparations are used for mental and physical fatigue, decreased performance, fatigue, exhaustion, functional diseases of the cardiovascular system, anemia, neurasthenia, hysteria, sexual dysfunction, asthenic conditions caused by various diseases (diabetes, tuberculosis, malaria and so on.). It can be prescribed for atherosclerosis. In Eastern medicine, it was generally accepted that ginseng, and its systematic use helps to lengthen life.
In China, ginseng is used in the form of powders, pills, tinctures, decoctions, extracts, ointments, and also in the form of tea called ginseng cha. In China, where traditional medicine has known ginseng for 4,000 years and considers the ginseng root to be the “supreme essence,” all kinds of properties are attributed to it.
Ginseng medicines
Ginseng root tincture: root weighing 40-50 g, pour cold boiled sweet water for 3-4 hours, chop, pour 0.5 liters of 40% alcohol or strong vodka and leave for 21 days dark place. Take 1 tsp once a day, 0.5 hours before meals, without drinking water. Top up the amount of tincture you drink with vodka for 14 days. The course of treatment is 90 days with two breaks of 10 days. This course of treatment can be repeated only after a year.
Ginseng root extract: a root weighing 40-50 g is crushed, poured with water and boiled until the liquid boils away to 50% of the original volume. Cool and drink 1 tsp. 2 times a day, morning and evening before meals.
Ginseng powder take 0.25 g 3 times a day, starting with small doses, gradually moving to increasing them.
Contraindications
With long-term use of ginseng, side effects may occur: insomnia, pain in the heart, palpitations, etc. It is dangerous in severe cases with severe sclerotic changes in the vessels of the heart and head, as well as in feverish conditions and bleeding.
A little history
IN folk medicine In East Asian countries, ginseng has been known for 4-5 thousand years. The first written mention of it dates back to the 1st century. BC BC - the time of the appearance of the oldest Chinese work on medicines, “Shen-nun-ben-tsao”. In the 10th century Avicenna described ginseng in his book “The Canon of Medicine”. Describing ginseng, Linnaeus gave it the name “Panax” from the Greek words pan - all, ax - to heal, i.e. a remedy for all diseases, a panacea. By the way, Panacea was the name of one of the daughters ancient Greek god- healer Asclepius (Aesculapius).
In China and Korea, it has long been considered a symbol of justice and goodness, the key to a happy life, and a cure for all diseases and ailments.
Ginseng is one of those few relict endangered plants that grew on Earth back in the Tertiary period. Ginseng lives up to 300 years or more. Finding ginseng is very difficult. A root weighing 15-20 g is usually found; roots weighing 40-50 g are considered very rare. In the Primorye region, in the Suchansky district, a root weighing 180 g was found. However, there, in Primorye, an even larger root was found - weighing 480 g. A hunter found it completely by accident. The root had a yellowish-fawn color, was as thick as an arm, and its length exceeded 30 cm. It lived for more than 100 years. Such giants are very rare. Each large ginseng root has its own history, just as the largest diamonds, diamonds, and rubies have their own history. Finding a large ginseng is like finding a nugget of gold.
Although ginseng originates from Manchuria and Korea, it is not exclusively a Far Eastern species; since identical, from a botanical point of view, ginseng also grows in Canadian forests, where it was discovered in 1715 by the French Jesuit Father Lafiteau.
Photos and illustrations
Syn: root of life.
grassy perennial from 30 to 70 cm, living up to 100 years or more. Used as a tonic, energy, nootropic stimulant. Used for hypotension, activates cardiac activity, increases performance, and improves sexual function.
Ask the experts a question
Flower formula
Common ginseng flower formula: CH5L5T5P2.In medicine
Ginseng preparations are used for fatigue, hypotension, decreased performance, mental and physical fatigue, functional diseases of the cardiovascular system, exhaustion, anemia, neurasthenia, and hysteria. For asthenic conditions caused by various diseases (diabetes, tuberculosis, malaria, etc.). Has an analgesic effect. Ginseng for men is used for sexual dysfunction.
Tinctures, decoctions, pills, powders, and ointments are prepared from the roots. A decoction is prescribed at the rate of 2-3 g of roots per 600 ml of water, which must be boiled to 1 glass.
In our country, 10% alcohol tincture and ginseng root powder are approved for use. It is prescribed orally before meals. Tincture 12-25 drops 3 times a day, powder 0.25-0.3 g 3 times a day. The course of treatment is 90 days. After every 30 days of taking the drug, take a break of 10 days. Store ginseng tincture in a dark place.
Contraindications and side effects
Ginseng has very low toxicity, however, cases have been reported fatal poisoning with a single dose of 150-200 g of ginseng root tincture. The dose for children must be agreed with the doctor. Ginseng preparations are contraindicated in the midst of infectious diseases, as well as in patients with organic pathology of the central nervous system, especially in the manic phase.
In cosmetology
Thanks to its tonic and stimulating properties, ginseng is perfectly used in cosmetology. It promotes skin rejuvenation, eliminates wrinkles, gives skin elasticity, and relieves inflammation. Ginseng oil is often added to various hair strengthening products: balms, shampoos, conditioners. The oil is also used for baths, making the skin elastic, beautiful, and giving it a healthy color. Helps with various dermatoses, acne, vitiligo, many other skin diseases, and baldness.
In aromatherapy
The smell emitted by ginseng essential oil tones, helps solve digestive problems, and this in turn has the most beneficial effect on the condition of the skin. Steam baths with ginseng oil are also beneficial for the skin, especially in combination with aromatherapy sessions.
Classification
Common ginseng (Latin: Panax ginseng) belongs to the Araliaceae family (Latin: Araliaceae).
Botanical description
Underground Organs: Ginseng root is a vertical, short rhizome from which emerges a branched, succulent, taproot, yellowish-white, fleshy, slightly branched, pale yellow root. The root surface is wrinkled. More often it is inclined 30-45 degrees to the surface. The roots consist of a head, a long neck and a spindle-shaped root itself, branching at the bottom into two processes 20–25 cm long, 2–2.5 cm in diameter. The rhizome forms the “cap” of the root. The root in the lower part is divided into two processes - like “legs”, the upper part is like the “arms” of the plant. The stem is single, 30–70 cm high. The leaves (two or three) at the base are palmately five-parted, long-petiolate, the leaves are obovate, with a sharp edge, with a wedge-like base and spines on the veins. The flowers are collected in a simple umbrella of 15–20 flowers - greenish-white, sometimes pale pink, bisexual. The calyx of the flower is green. Ginseng flowers emit a faint aroma. The formula of the common ginseng flower is CH5L5T5P.
Ginseng berries are bright red juicy drupes - two-, less often three-seeded. Collected in a spherical group.
Spreading
The species is distributed in eastern Asia ( Far East, Altai, China, Tibet).
Regions of distribution on the map of Russia.
Procurement of raw materials
Wild ginseng is a protected plant; it is harvested only under licenses. Therefore, ginseng as a medicinal raw material is mainly a cultivated plant.
On plantations, 5-8 year old plants are harvested. They dig with special bone spatulas, being careful not to tear off the two long lobes that go deep from the root into the ground. You can’t wash the roots, just carefully clean them from the soil. The roots are handed over fresh, or they can be preserved by keeping them over water vapor heated to 80ºC. Dry the raw materials in the shade for a month or two. Dried roots should be light brown and hard. In this form they can be preserved for many years.
Chemical composition
The chemical composition of ginseng and its properties have not yet been fully studied. The root contains triterpene saponins, called panaxosides A, B, C, D, E, P. In other Araliaceae, these glycosides of tetracyclic triterpenes of the dammarane series are absent. In panaxosides A, B, C, the aglycone is panaxatriol, and in panaxosides D, E, P, panaxadiol. Panaxosides belong to the class of triterpenoids. Panaxoside C is extracted from the herb and fruit of ginseng. In addition, found in the roots essential oil panaceas, panaxic acid, which is a mixture of fatty acids: stearic, palmitic, linoleic and oleic, cane sugar, alkaloids, fatty oil, phytosterols, mucus, pectin substances, starch, resins, tannins, B vitamins, ascorbic acid. According to Chinese researchers, a significant content of sulfur, phosphorus, trace elements Ca, Mg, K, Al, Se, Fe, Sr, Mn, Ba, Ti was found.
Pharmacological properties
Ginseng preparations are characterized by a significant breadth of therapeutic action. Since they are non-toxic, they can be used for a long time. It has been established that ginseng root is one of the strongest stimulants of central nervous system, superior in effectiveness to the mixture of phenamine with proserin, but, unlike the latter, it is not characterized by a phasic action and negative consequences, does not disturb sleep, increases performance, including during night wakefulness. According to evidence, the effect of ginseng on the body is caused by its stimulating effect on the cortex and subcortical centers. Ginseng increases the mobility and strength of basic cortical processes, enhances positive conditioned reflexes, facilitates the production conditioned reflexes and improves differentiation. Ginseng root preparations have been proven to have a beneficial effect on blood composition, increase gas exchange, stimulate tissue respiration (especially of the brain), reduce the frequency of contractions and increase the amplitude of the heart, and promote rapid healing of wounds and ulcers. Ginseng tincture, taken orally, increases the secretion of bile, the concentration of bile acids and bilirubin in it, and increases the sensitivity of the human eye to light during the process of dark adaptation. The glycoside ginsenin regulates carbohydrate metabolic processes, reduces blood sugar and increases glycogen synthesis, which makes it effective for diabetes. It has been experimentally proven in animals that when ginseng is administered as a preventive measure, the resistance of animals to radiation exposure improves. Animals that received ginseng and were exposed to radiation were more likely to return to normal life, while animals that did not receive ginseng were sick for a long time and died. The beneficial effect of ginseng on the body is explained by its content significant amount biologically active components.
Use in folk medicine
Ginseng root has long been valued in China, where its amazing healing qualities have been known for many centuries. It clearly had a strengthening, tonic, and stimulating effect. It is rightfully believed that ginseng promotes longevity and is very useful in old age. It is used for general weakness, exhaustion, fatigue, depression, impotence, and hypochondria.
In addition, ginseng tincture is used for mental and physical fatigue, after severe long-term illnesses, for functional disorders of the cardiovascular system, hypofunction of the gonads, diabetes and some functional nervous and mental diseases (neuroses, neurasthenia, psychasthenia, etc.), for chronic gastritis with reduced secretory function.
In China, there is a custom to give newborn children (especially boys) ginseng tincture as a preventative measure. This, instead of vaccinations, protects babies from various infectious diseases. Ginseng roots are used fresh or canned - in sugar or honey.
Historical reference
2800 BC in Chinese medicine, ginseng was considered a remedy that could cure all diseases. Of course, so unique medicine was valued very dearly. Natural specimens (roots) weighing 100-200 grams were considered rare. Like finding gold bars or precious stones, finds of especially large specimens left their mark on history. So, in 1981, a root weighing 500 grams with a shoot 65 cm long was found in China. The root had many
branches and pearl growths, which is especially highly valued. In 1905, when laying railway An even larger specimen weighing 600 grams was excavated in Manchuria. It was sold in Shanghai for $5,000, which was only half its true value. Ginseng was first brought to Russia from China in 1675 by boyar N.G. Sapphiriy, Russian envoy to the court of the Chinese Emperor.
Literature
1. N. G. Kovaleva - Treatment with plants - M.: “Medicine”, 1972 - 352 p.
2. Universal encyclopedia of medicinal plants / Comp. I. N. Putyrsky, V. N. Prokhorov - Minsk: “Book House”, M.: Makhaon, 2000 - 656 p.
3. A.F. Gammerman, N.I. Grom - Wild medicinal plants of the USSR - M.: “Medicine”, 1976 - 287 p.
4. Popov V.I., Shapiro D.K., Danusevich I.K. - Medicinal plants- Minsk: “Polymya”, 1990 - 304 p.
5. A. N. Alefirov, Mastopathy. Herbal treatment. St. Petersburg: Publishing House "Ves", 2006 - 160 p.
6. Yagodka V.S. - Herbal medicine in dermatology and cosmetics - Kyiv: “Health”, 1987 - 135 p.