Ginseng, known as the “King of Herbs,” is one of the renowned “Three Treasures of Northeast China” (Ginseng, Mink Fur, Deer Antler) and is a precious medicinal material recognized both domestically and internationally. So, what are the methods of consuming fresh ginseng? How should fresh ginseng be eaten? Here, I have compiled some methods for consuming fresh ginseng, hoping to help everyone.
Why consume fresh ginseng? There are two reasons:
Comprehensive nutrition and delicious taste. It is well known that for crops, any processing method inevitably leads to nutrient loss, so fresh ginseng, which has not undergone any processing, is undoubtedly the best choice for consumers in terms of nutrient retention.
As living standards improve, fresh ginseng is becoming increasingly popular and loved, with diverse methods of consumption emerging. However, some people worry about issues like excessive heat. In fact, the natural fresh ginseng itself has a balanced nutritional composition, and like other fruits and vegetables, moderate consumption will not cause excessive heat.
So, what are the correct methods for consuming fresh ginseng? Here are several common methods recommended for everyone.
First Method: Sliced and Chewed
The simplest and quickest method: just slice fresh ginseng into very thin pieces, place them in your mouth, and after holding them for a while, chew and swallow. This method can refresh the mind and provide a lingering sweetness. Empress Dowager Cixi of the Qing Dynasty favored this method for health maintenance.
Second Method: Soaked in Water
Slice fresh ginseng into pieces about 2 mm thick, take 5-8 slices, place them in a cup, pour in boiling water, cover the cup, and steep for 5 minutes to make a tea. After the ginseng flavor dissipates, chew and swallow the slices. If desired, you can add red dates and honey for better taste.
Third Method: Stewed
Slice fresh ginseng into pieces about 2 mm thick, place them in a ceramic bowl, fill with water, seal the bowl, and steam in a steamer for about 2 hours, then drink the water and eat the ginseng. For those who enjoy desserts, adding 3-4 pieces of rock candy makes it sweet and delicious.
Fourth Method: Chicken Soup
Wash a whole fresh ginseng and set it aside. Clean a black chicken by removing feathers and internal organs, then place it in a stewing pot. Put the whole fresh ginseng inside the chicken along with seasonings and simmer on low heat for about 3 hours, then serve. While drinking the soup and eating the meat, be sure to consume the ginseng as well.
Fifth Method: Boiled Water
Place fresh ginseng in an electric kettle or cup to boil. Adjust the amount of fresh ginseng based on the number of drinkers and their water consumption.
Sixth Method: Juiced
Juice fresh ginseng and drink it. The leftover ginseng pulp is not recommended to be discarded; it can be soaked in water or chewed and swallowed.
Seventh Method: Soaked in Alcohol
The alcohol infused with fresh ginseng has many benefits, “it does not cause a hangover and does not harm the body when drunk.”
To prepare, simply wash the whole fresh ginseng, drain it, place it in a glass container, add 1-2 jin (500-1000g) of liquor with a purity of about 50-60 degrees, and let it steep for about 15 days before opening for consumption. Be sure to drink in moderation.
Eighth Method: Ginseng Honey Slices in Water
Slice fresh ginseng and place it in honey, which can last a long time without spoiling. The essence of ginseng merges into the honey, nourishing qi and beautifying the skin. Drinking a cup of honey water with honey slices every morning on an empty stomach can invigorate you throughout the day.
Here are a few more recipes using fresh ginseng.
Fresh Ginseng and Red Date Black Chicken Soup
Ingredients:
1 black chicken, 1 fresh ginseng, 5 red dates, a few goji berries, salt, and monosodium glutamate.
Method:
1. Clean the whole black chicken, wash the red dates, fresh ginseng, and goji berries.
2. Add an appropriate amount of water to the stewing pot, add the black chicken, ginseng, red dates, and goji berries. It is recommended to place all ingredients inside the chicken’s cavity, ensuring no water overflows!
3. Cover the stewing pot, bring to a boil on high heat, then simmer on low heat for 2-3 hours.
4. Add salt and monosodium glutamate to taste when consuming.
Food Description:
Fresh ginseng tonifies the middle and boosts qi, while black chicken nourishes yin and replenishes blood. Paired with warming foods like goji berries and red dates, this is the perfect nourishing soup for families.
Fresh Ginseng and Lotus Seed Porridge
Ingredients:
1 fresh ginseng, 10 lotus seeds (cored), an appropriate amount of rock sugar, and 1 cup of rice (about 100g).
Method:
1. Clean the fresh ginseng and slice it.
2. Place the fresh ginseng, lotus seeds, and rice in a pot with an appropriate amount of purified water.
3. Bring to a boil on high heat, then simmer on low heat until the lotus seeds and rice are soft, then add rock sugar.
4. Consume once every night for a week (6-7 days) to significantly improve sleep.
Food Description:
Fresh ginseng is rich in nutrients, has a mild medicinal property, strengthens the spleen and kidneys, calms the mind, and benefits intelligence. Regular consumption by the elderly can effectively alleviate symptoms like lower back and knee soreness, frequent night urination, and poor appetite.
Fresh Ginseng Stewed with Dried Mushrooms
Ingredients:
1 fresh ginseng, 5 dried mushrooms (about 20g), and 1 slice of ginger.
Method:
1. Clean the fresh ginseng and soak the dried mushrooms to remove the stems.
2. Place the fresh ginseng, mushrooms, and ginger in a stewing bowl, adding an appropriate amount of purified water.
3. Seal with plastic wrap and steam for 2 hours. Add salt and other seasonings to taste.
Food Description:
Strengthens the spleen, nourishes the stomach, calms the mind, and enhances immunity!
In fact, fresh ginseng preserves the natural essence of ginseng completely. Besides nourishing and strengthening the body, it also possesses the sweet and fragrant taste of ginseng, making it an excellent health product. Its benefits and effects are numerous, including enhancing the body’s tolerance to cold, heat, and infectious diseases, promoting the regeneration of internal enzymes, protecting myocardial cells, regulating glucose metabolism, inhibiting tumors, lowering liver cholesterol, promoting protein and lipid metabolism, and enhancing the body’s immunity.
Therefore, ginseng should be consumed “fresh.”
Precautions and Contraindications for Consuming Fresh Ginseng
1. Caution for Newborns
Experts in ginseng from Japan and South Korea believe that ginseng can be used as a supplement for everyone from infants to the elderly. However, some Chinese experts believe that newborns should not consume ginseng. There have been cases where a newborn experienced side effects after taking 0.5 grams of red ginseng orally for three hours. The reason for the side effects is that newborns have low tolerance and their organs are very delicate. Furthermore, the standard dosage for adults is about 30-50 grams of fresh ginseng, while dried ginseng is about 3-5 grams. Therefore, 1 gram for a newborn is clearly too much. If a newborn takes 0.1 grams or 0.05 grams, the situation would be different. In South Korea, newborns are given ginseng honey, which has shown good effects. However, caution should still be exercised when giving ginseng to newborns.
2. Healthy Children and Adolescents Should Avoid Fresh Ginseng
Healthy children and adolescents do not need to consume ginseng, but those with weak constitutions or delayed development (both physically and intellectually) may benefit from fresh ginseng. If healthy children consume excessive ginseng, it may lead to issues like precocious puberty.
3. Fresh Ginseng Should Not Be Mixed Randomly
Ginseng should not be combined with other medicines or animals indiscriminately. The traditional method of combining ginseng with chicken is widely accepted by most contemporary people. The ancient medical saying “ginseng is afraid of five spirit fat and reacts with rhatany” is still practical today. Until new scientific viewpoints overturn this conclusion, it is advisable to follow the principle that ginseng should not be combined with five spirit fat or rhatany to avoid problems. It is best not to eat radishes when consuming ginseng.
Note: This article is sourced from the internet; please use medications cautiously and follow medical advice!