Ginseng: An Ancient Medicinal Root for the Royalty

Ever wonder why ginseng claims popularity among the health-conscious nowadays? Well, ginseng has been popular for its medicinal use as early as the ancient times. Ginseng root has been a valued medicinal herb in traditional oriental healing for thousands of years dating back over two millennia during the Qin and Han dynasties in 221 B.C-220 A.D

Panax, the generic name of ginseng, is derived from the Greek ”Panakos” ( a Panacea), in reference to the miraculous virtue ascribed to it by the Chinese, who consider it a sovereign remedy in almost all diseases. For most of us, ginseng is readily attributed to the Chinese or Korean natives. However, the plant was actually discovered growing in Quebec in 1715 by a Jesuit missionary and not originally in China. The root was subsequently exported to the existing market, starting in 1717. In 1824, 375 tons of ginseng were exported to Asian markets from the United States.

Ginseng has been a rare and treasured herb with a medicinal association stretching far back into the ancient traditions of long past ages often coveted by the Asian royalty and military aristocracy. Father Jartoux, who had the privilege to study this plant, says that natives of China held it in such esteem that the physicians deem it a necessity in all their best prescriptions, and regard to it as a remedy for fatigue and the infirmities of old age. During those times, only the emperor has the right to collect the roots. While the prepared root is chewed by the sick to recover health, the healthy takes it to increase their vitality. Ginseng root is said to remove both mental and bodily fatigue, to cure pulmonary complaints, dissolves tumors and prolongs life to ripe old age. Based on an ancient Chinese legend, early emperors proclaimed it a panacea to be ingested or used in lotions and soaps.