GINSENG

REN SHEN

[panax ginseng]

Called the "King of Herbs", ginseng is the most well known herb of all time to longevity enthusiasts. The Taoists say that ginseng has the strongest ability of any herb to condense the earthly ch'i and the five elemental energies into it's root. Thus it can impart the "three vitalities" (ch'i, jing and shin) to anyone who partakes of it. Ginseng is revered for its ability to impart a clarity and awareness to its users. In the first recorded Chinese treatise on herbs, Shen Nung said: "Ginseng is a tonic to the five viscera, quieting the animal spirits, stabilizing the soul, preventing fear, expelling the vicious energies, brightening the eye and improving vision, opening up the heart benefiting the understanding, and if taken for some time will invigorate the body and prolong life..."

Ginseng root is said to aid in replacing ch'i to the meridians and organs. It develops the center (earth element) and supplies an adaptability to stressful situations. It's name means "essence of the earth in the form of a man". The chief constituents of ginseng are largely long chain polysaccharides, saponins, ginsenins, panoxic acid, panaxin, panaquilon, elemental minerals, and some B vitamins as well as other substances. Over 28 of the ginsenosides discovered in the past few years in research have been used in studies proving ginseng's great value to health and long life.

There are three major types of ginseng Chinese, American and Korean. There are in addition other types such as Viet Namese. Of the Chinese there are three general types, Yi Sun, Shiu Chu and Kirin. Yi Sun is very rare and quite expensive in the U.S. Yi Sun are roots that are found very young in the wild that are removed to cultivated beds and grown to "maturity" and then harvested for sale. These are the most potent roots available except for the wild roots that are becoming unattainable.

The Shiu Chu roots are usually five or six years old and probably the best deal one could expect to procure if under ten dollars an ounce. Kirin ginseng is the lowest quality and is usually used for extracting or capsules. There are also many roots from districts that have become well known such as Ji Lin. American (Xi Yang) ginseng and Asian roots are considered quite distinct in their actions. White American being more yin, reducing the heat of the lungs and respiratory systems. It is considered less potent than Chinese ginseng and is used in respiratory conditions as well as weakness and fever. Many people use the American ginseng to balance the hot, yang effects of the Chinese. Saponins are considered to be the chief constituents of ginseng with many other elements being shown in research to be just as important. The ability to aid in stress and action as an adaptogen has brought ginseng into the spotlight of modern herb consumers and has spurred much research. This latest research has shown these saponins (termed 'ginsenosides') to be: "analgesic, anti-inflammatory, tranquilizing, hypotensive, anti-convulsant, a regulator of blood sugar, an aid to the digestion and also anti-psychotic and anti-convulsant"

In addition to the alterative effect on the entire body, ginseng has a very beneficial effect on the heart and circulation, modulating not only blood pressure but blood cholestrol as well. It stimulates the secretion of pepsin and relieves indigestion and eructations. Ginseng is used generally for it's tonic and adaptogenic benefits and it's ability to increase strength and energy as well as it's reported use as a longevity herb. Taoists have used it for hundreds of years for quieting the spirit much like Reishi Mushroom. In Russia ginseng is recommended to people over the age of forty for a six week program of use annually.

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