Ginseng, also known as Huang Shen (Yellow Ginseng), Di Jing (Earth Essence), Shen Cao (Divine Herb), and the King of Herbs, is one of the renowned “Three Treasures of Northeast China”.
The earliest existing pharmacological text, the “Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing” (Shen Nong’s Classic of Materia Medica), records the essence of ginseng’s medicinal use that has been established in China for over 4000 years: “Ginseng is sweet and slightly cold in nature, primarily used to tonify the five organs, calm the spirit, stabilize the soul, stop palpitations, eliminate evil qi, brighten the eyes, and enhance intelligence. Long-term use can lighten the body and prolong life. It is also known as Ren Xian (Man’s Immortal) and Gui Gai (Ghost Cover). It grows in mountain valleys.”
Ginseng has significant effects in tonifying vital energy, restoring pulse, strengthening the spleen and lungs, generating fluids, and calming the spirit. The specific effects are as follows:
1. Efficacy of Ginseng
1. Beauty and Skin Care
Ginsenosides in ginseng have astringent properties and can regulate dermal moisture balance, preventing skin dehydration. They also inhibit the production of melanin, making the skin smooth, tender, and fair. Historically, Empress Dowager Cixi used to suck on ginseng daily (3-5g) primarily for beauty and anti-aging!
2. Regulating the Central Nervous System
Ginsenosides Rb1 and Rg1 can balance the brain, promote the conversion and utilization of energy substances, calm the spirit, enhance memory, prevent insomnia, prevent dementia, treat forgetfulness, and alleviate depression!
Studies have shown that human memory increases from birth until around 30 years of age, after which it begins to decline, primarily due to decreased conversion and utilization of energy substances in the brain. Therefore, ginseng plays a crucial role in regulating the brain and the central nervous system!
3. Improving Cardiovascular Function
Ginseng has a stimulating effect on the hearts of various animals, initially exciting and then inhibiting, with a small amount stimulating and a large amount inhibiting, similar to the action of cardiac glycosides, enhancing myocardial contractility.
Ginseng also helps prevent hypertension and heart disease, regulates blood supply to the heart and brain, and prevents conditions such as stroke, cerebral hemorrhage, and headaches due to insufficient blood supply.
4. Enhancing Immune Function
1. Ginseng polysaccharides are immune enhancers, regulating those with low immunity and poor resistance;
2. Reducing the toxic side effects of radiotherapy, accelerating tissue repair, and prolonging patient survival;
3. Ginsenosides can enhance stress resistance, with the ability to withstand hypoxia, high temperatures, and low temperatures. In South Korea, Japan, and Russia, 40%-70% of athletes consume ginseng to enhance their physical skills and adapt to intense exercise!
5. Antioxidant Effects
1. Ginsenosides and ginseng polyacetylene compounds have antioxidant properties, preventing aging;
2. Ginsenosides can also regulate endocrine and metabolism, protecting the normal function of the five internal organs;
3. Ginseng contains components that promote red blood cell growth, maintaining cell vitality, keeping the skin rosy, and enhancing antioxidant capacity!
6. Lowering Blood Lipids and Blood Sugar
Ginseng, especially ginsenoside Rb2, can improve blood lipids, lower cholesterol and triglycerides, increase serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and reduce the atherosclerosis index, making it valuable for treating hyperlipidemia, thrombosis, and atherosclerosis.
Ginseng has a lipid-lowering effect on both healthy individuals and those with hyperlipidemia. Medical experts observed five healthy individuals and six hyperlipidemic patients who took red ginseng powder for one week, finding no significant decrease in serum cholesterol, but a notable increase in serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and a significant decrease in the atherosclerosis index.
For patients with hypertriglyceridemia, serum triglycerides were significantly reduced. Additionally, administering 3-6g of red ginseng powder or ginsenoside components to normal individuals and diabetics showed a trend of reduced blood sugar.
7. Antitumor Effects
Ginsenosides in ginseng contain substances with antitumor properties, including ginsenoside Rh2, Rh1, Rg3, and Rg5, all of which exhibit certain antitumor activity. Ginsenoside Rh2 is the most effective component in ginseng for antitumor effects.
As people’s living standards improve, the consumption of ginseng has become increasingly common, leading to a trend of diverse consumption methods. In recent years, fresh ginseng has gradually gained popularity and affection. So, what are the benefits of consuming fresh ginseng?
2. Certain Efficacies of Fresh Ginseng are Superior
Fresh ginseng can enhance the body’s tolerance to cold, heat, and infectious diseases, promoting the regeneration of internal enzymes, making its efficacy superior to that of dried ginseng. Additionally, the benefits of consuming fresh ginseng include the following four points.
01. Higher Active Ingredient Content
The total ginsenoside content in fresh ginseng is 27% higher than that in dried ginseng, preserving the natural essence of ginseng (its active components). Besides nourishing and strengthening the body, it also has a sweet and fragrant taste, making it an excellent health product.
02. Fresh Ginseng is Mild and Delicious
The nutritional components of fresh ginseng are balanced. Like other fruits and vegetables, moderate consumption will not cause heat in the consumer.
However, processed ginseng inevitably loses some components during processing, leading to different medicinal properties, which may result in the so-called “heat” symptoms when consumed.
03. Fresh Ginseng is Easier to Absorb
Fresh ginseng is unprocessed, tender, and juicy, fully retaining the rich nutritional components of its original juice. It embodies the principle of “returning to nature,” not only having a mild cooling property but also regulating blood circulation and increasing appetite, making it easier for the body to absorb the essence of ginseng.
04. Versatile Culinary Uses and Varied Flavors
Fresh ginseng is rich in flavor, with abundant juice and a delightful taste. It can be used as an ingredient in various dishes: ginseng porridge, ginseng tea, ginseng soup, fried ginseng, ginseng egg pancakes, etc., allowing one to enjoy the delicious taste of ginseng while nourishing the body and enhancing resistance.
Fresh ginseng fully preserves the natural essence of ginseng, making it not only nourishing but also delicious, truly a health treasure. Therefore, fresh ginseng is best consumed fresh!
Methods of Consuming Ginseng
China has a long history of consuming ginseng, and its miraculous effects are highly praised. Historical records state that ginseng has the effects of “tonifying the five organs, calming the spirit, stabilizing the soul, stopping palpitations, brightening the eyes, and enhancing intelligence.”
Fresh ginseng is rich in flavor, with abundant juice and a delightful taste. It can be made into various soups, main dishes, or even desserts, nourishing the body while enjoying the natural flavor of ginseng.Consumption methods for fresh ginseng include:
1. Sucking Method
Thoroughly wash fresh ginseng, slice it into 2-3mm thick pieces, and place it directly in the mouth to suck. When the ginseng flavor diminishes, chew and swallow. This is the simplest method of consuming fresh ginseng and is an excellent way to quickly refresh the mind and activate work status. Historical records indicate that Empress Dowager Cixi insisted on sucking on ginseng daily for health. Dosage: 2-3 slices per time, 2-3 times a day.
2. Honey Soaking Method
Wash fresh ginseng, slice it thinly, and soak it in high-quality honey for 5 minutes before consuming with a toothpick or fork. It is sweet and fresh, with a strong ginseng flavor. This method is simple and effective, with strong active factors. Daily consumption of 20-30 slices has beauty and digestive benefits.
3. Tea Brewing Method
After washing fresh ginseng, cut it into small pieces and place it in a cup or glass teapot. Pour freshly boiled water over it, cover, and steep for 3-5 minutes before drinking. Honey or rock sugar can be added for flavor according to personal preference. This method is easy to prepare and can be consumed at home or in the office. Daily consumption of 20-30 slices can help tonify qi and enhance resistance.
4. Wine Soaking Method
Take 2-3 roots of fresh ginseng, wash and dry them with absorbent paper, and place them in liquor above 50 degrees Celsius. Seal and soak for more than 15 days before consuming. Depending on the body’s condition, goji berries, reishi mushrooms, or other herbs can be added. Ginseng wine has a strong flavor, calms the spirit, aids sleep, and strengthens the body and liver.
5. Soup Stewing Method
Take one root of fresh ginseng, wash it, add an appropriate amount of water, and stew it with fresh whole chicken (preferably black chicken) or pork ribs. If the chicken or pork has a strong odor, a little ginger can be added to remove it.
After stewing for 4 hours, the ginseng flavor will be rich. No additional seasonings are needed; individuals can add salt according to their taste, but it is recommended to keep it moderate to avoid overpowering the ginseng flavor. This method is suitable for those recovering from serious illness, those with chronic illnesses, and those with low immunity.
6. Dumpling Filling
Fresh ginseng, cabbage, and meat dumplings are a specialty of Northeast China, beneficial for strengthening the spleen and qi, and calming the spirit. They can be used as a supplementary dietary therapy for symptoms caused by heart and spleen qi deficiency, such as fatigue, reduced appetite, and palpitations.
7. Cooking
Fresh ginseng has a delicious taste and can be used in various dishes, such as crispy ginseng, candied ginseng, and stir-fried ginseng with lotus pond moonlight. Different combinations yield different therapeutic effects, allowing individuals to choose based on personal preference.
1. Suitable Groups for Consuming Fresh Ginseng
1
Individuals with Blood Deficiency and Cold Constitution
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) believes that blood is generated by qi, and ginseng tonifies both qi and blood. It is particularly beneficial for women, the elderly, and those prone to anemia, as well as for individuals recovering from excessive blood loss due to injury or surgery, and postpartum recovery. Ancient medical texts state that ginseng can treat all forms of deficiency.
Ginseng can dispel cold and alleviate symptoms such as cold extremities, aversion to cold, menstrual irregularities, and coldness in the uterus and ovaries in women.
2
High-Stress Individuals
Ginseng can regulate the human nervous system, promote blood oxygen levels, strengthen heart rate, and enhance blood flow, ensuring that the brain is well-supplied with blood and oxygen, maximizing the potential of brain cells and improving cognitive depth and activity.It is suitable for high-stress individuals exhibiting the following symptoms:
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Excessive emotional fluctuations, such as extreme sadness or anger;
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Individuals under significant mental stress, overworked, frequently working overtime, or staying up late;
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Experiencing mental fear, restless sleep, or early morning diarrhea.
3
Individuals with Low Immunity and Poor Constitution
Ginseng has a significant effect on enhancing immunity, alleviating fatigue, and improving weak constitutions. Specifically, individuals with low immunity, poor constitution, and sub-health symptoms can benefit from ginseng:
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Prone to hair loss or tooth loss;
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Experiencing headaches, dizziness, or nausea due to prolonged exposure to IT radiation;
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Frequent urgency or frequency of urination, especially after 40, with severe cases leading to incontinence;
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Entering menopause too early;
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Skin aging, wrinkles, or spots.
4
Individuals Undergoing Cancer Chemotherapy or Prone to Breast Tumors
Ginsenosides in ginseng contain substances with antitumor properties, capable of preventing cellular carcinogenesis and converting diseased cells back to normal cells. Currently, most traditional Chinese medicines or cancer recovery medications contain ginseng components.
2. Caution in Using Fresh Ginseng for Certain Groups
1. Caution for Newborns
Experts in Japan and South Korea believe that ginseng can be used as a supplement for individuals from infants to the elderly.
However, some Chinese experts advise against ginseng for newborns. There have been reports of adverse reactions after administering 0.5g of red ginseng to a newborn, as their tolerance is low and their organs are very delicate.
Moreover, the standard dosage for adults is around 30-50g of fresh ginseng, while dried ginseng is about 3-5g. Therefore, 1g for a newborn is clearly excessive. If given 0.1g or 0.05g, the situation would be different.
In South Korea, children are fed ginseng honey starting at two to three months old, and as long as the dosage is not excessive, the effects are satisfactory without side effects. Thus, caution is advised when administering ginseng to newborns.
2. Healthy Adolescents and Children Should Avoid Fresh Ginseng
Healthy adolescents and children do not need to consume ginseng, but those with weak constitutions or delayed development (both physically and intellectually) may benefit from fresh ginseng. However, if healthy children consume excessive ginseng, it may lead to precocious puberty and other issues.
3. Allergic Individuals Should Avoid Ginseng
Individuals with allergies should not consume ginseng indiscriminately, as some may experience allergic reactions such as rashes or skin inflammation after taking ginseng, even if they are not typically allergic.
4. Caution for Individuals with Severe Hypertension
Patients with severe hypertension (systolic pressure greater than 180, diastolic pressure greater than 110) should avoid ginseng if they have liver yang hyperactivity or damp-heat syndrome, as it may lead to cerebrovascular accidents. However, those with mild cold-type hypertension may use it under medical advice.
5. Five Groups That Should Avoid Ginseng: Still Under Debate
Several texts record that a certain famous doctor in the Changbai Mountains stated that individuals with cough, pain, cold, fever, or those currently losing blood should avoid ginseng. Currently, experts believe that these five categories of contraindicated individuals are worth discussing and require further research, and should not be followed blindly.
Some ancient prescriptions indicate that ginseng can be used to treat cough, such as the Xiao Tai Ping Wan for chronic cough and throat pain, the Ren Shen Yi Yi Shi Er San for lung atrophy cough, and the Jing Fu Tang for pediatric phlegm cough and wheezing. This suggests that ginseng can be used to treat coughs and colds. There are also many contemporary cases of individuals recovering from colds and coughs after consuming ginseng, proving that ginseng can be beneficial for coughs and colds.
Some say that individuals currently losing blood should not take ginseng, but it can be consumed once the bleeding stops. However, contemporary experts have researched ginseng’s hemostatic properties, as it contains components that can stop bleeding.
Therefore, the five groups that should avoid ginseng are still under debate. Individuals should consider their own conditions when consuming ginseng, and if uncertain, they should follow medical advice.
Fresh Ginseng / Deer Blood / Seasonal Nourishment / Non-Heating
In traditional Chinese medicine, the combination of deer and ginseng is a timeless tale.
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