Latin Name
Panax ginseng

General Description
Ginseng means "the essence of the earth in the form of a man," and in fact the root's shape suggests the human form. Growing on mountain slopes in the northeastern provinces of China, Asian ginseng is considered the most potent and expensive form of ginseng.

With its yellow-green flowers and red berries, it looks similar to American ginseng, but the stalk is longer. Its active constituents are ginsenosides, substances that enhance pituitary-adrenal processes to strengthen the immune system and increase the body's ability to deal with fatigue and stress. Today herbalists prescribe Asian ginseng root for minor ailments including fever, colds, coughs and menstrual irregularities. It is described in traditional Chinese medicine as sweet, bitter and warm.

Target Ailments
Chinese:

Taken internally for:

• Symptoms of shock, profuse sweating, ice-cold extremities, shortness of breath, fever, thirst and irritability.
  
• Diarrhea, vomiting, distention of the abdomen and anorexia.
  
• Impotence.

Western:

Taken internally for:

• Depression, fatigue and stress.
  
• Colds, influenza, respiratory problems, inflammations and damaged immune systems.

Preparations
Over the counter:
Ginseng is available as fresh or dried root, root powder, capsules, tablets, prepared tea, freeze-dried root and cured rock candy.

At home:

CHINESE
Fresh roots boiled in water for 3 to 7 minutes (roots pricked with needles). Roots dried in the sun and then soaked in thick sugar for 10 to 12 hours.

COMBINATIONS
Ginseng, atractylodes (white) and China root used to treat anorexia, diarrhea, vomiting and distention of the abdomen. For fever, thirst and irritability, ginseng is prepared with Chinese foxglove cooked in wine and asparagus tuber. For impotence, ginseng is combined with deer antler.

WESTERN
Tea: 1 oz. fresh root boiled with 1 cup water for 15 to 20 minutes.

Special Information

• If you have any of the following conditions, use ginseng only under the direction of an herbalist or a licensed health care professional: pregnancy, insomnia, hay fever, fibrocystic breasts, asthma, emphysema, high blood pressure, blood-clotting problems, heart disorders and diabetes.