Facts about Korean Ginseng
| Other names: |
Ginseng, Asian ginseng, Korean ginseng, Asiatic ginger, Chinese
ginseng, Shen Tsao
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| Description: |
Korean ginseng is a deciduous perennial herb that reaches a height
of 60 to 80 cm, with typical light colored fleshy root. The taste of the
Korean ginseng root is sweetish at first but with a bitter aftertaste .
The leaves are dark green colored and oval shaped. Each leave consists
of five leaflets, the three terminal leaflets are larger than the two
lateral ones. The ginseng stem is erect and deep red colored. Korean
ginseng gives small red berries.
Korean ginseng grows on moist and shaded mountainsides in China, Korea
and Russia. The root is long and slender and sometimes resembles the
shape of the human body. In China, the ginseng roots are called Jin-chen,
meaning like a man.
The total ginsenoside content of a 6 year old root varies between 0.7
and 3%.
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| Parts used: |
Only the ginseng root is used. Korean ginseng is available as powder
of the whole root, as cut and dried roots and as liquid or powder
extracts.
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| Phytochemicals: |
Panaxans, Ginsenosides,
Saponins, Vanillic acid, Salicylates
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| Medicinal properties: |
The main active ingredients of Korean ginseng are ginsenosides.
These steroid-like phytochemicals have adaptogenic properties, which
give ginseng property to counter the effects of stress. The glycosides
act on the adrenal glands, helping to prevent adrenal hypertrophy and
excess corticosteroid production in response to stress. Ginsenosides
increase protein synthesis and activity of neurotransmitters in the
brain. Ginseng stimulates the formation of blood vessel and improves
blood circulation in the brains, thereby improving memory and cognitive
abilities. Ginseng is also used for diabetes, migraine, infections,
radiation and chemotherapy protection, to aid in sleep, and to stimulate
the appetite.
Korean ginseng contains steroids such as panaxtriol. The steroids are
remarkably similar in structure to anabolic steroids found naturally in
our body. This makes Korean ginseng ideal for athletes and body builders
looking for a natural alternative to anabolic steroid. Korean ginseng is
also used by women for treatment of post menopausal symptoms.
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| Other facts: |
The word panax is derived from the Greek word panacea,
which means all healing. In China, ginseng is the most used herb,
where it has been used for more than 7000 years. Also in the Western
world people are convinced of health benefits of ginseng.
In China, the Korean ginseng roots are called Jin-chen, meaning
like a man as they resemble the same shape our body. The ginseng
plant can live for over 100 years. |
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