A Brief  History of Ginseng

The ginseng plant was first discovered in China around 2700 BC by a Chinese ruler, Shen Nung.  The Chinese found that this plant helped them to have clearer thinking, calmness of mind and spirit and wisdom of thoughts.  The plant was thought to possess only qualities worthy of a royal family member.  It was guarded by the Chinese royalty and wealthy land barons.  Many Chinese wars were fought over the control of the ginseng plant and it habitat areas.  The root resembled a human form and that is how it was named ginseng meaning “human root” in Chinese.

Word soon spread to other nations around the world of this “magical” plant.  Ginseng has been taught to generations of its medicinal qualities.  There are numerous tales, legends and folklore as to its mystery and properties.   A Jesuit missionary named Father Jartoux, wrote an article on the ginseng and it was published in London in 1714.  This brought more attention to the ginseng plant especially to the North American continent. 

Ginseng has been used throughout history to treat many medical conditions and symptoms from lethargy, arthritis, senility, depression, anemia, high blood pressure just to name a few.  Today it has important benefits for cancer treatment and general increase in total body welfare.  Ginseng is known to be an adaptogen which are substances that assist the body to restore itself to health and to work well without side effects.

Today there are 3 primary ginsengs, American ginseng –panax quinqefolium, Korean-panax ginseng and Siberian ginseng-Eleutherococcus senticosus.  The active ingredient found in ginseng is ginsenocide.