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Return To Ginseng Article Archive   Mysterious Ginseng By David McMillin Ginseng has always mystified me. My earliest recollections of this peculiar herb are linked to my grandfather who was raised in the hills of Tennessee where "digging sang" was an important source of supplemental income. I recall walking through the woods with him, digging up the roots which later would be dried and sold at astounding prices. Unfortunately, I was never able to consistently spot the distinctive pattern of leaves when searching for this plant, which only added to the mystery. Years later when I became aware of the Cayce readings that prescribed ginseng, the mystery deepened even more. In over one hundred and thirty readings Cayce extolled the therapeutic virtues of ginseng, agreeing with the ancients that ginseng is "the basis of the stimulation of life in its very essence in the body of man." (636-1) Another reading is even more explicit in its depiction of the inherent vitality of this plant: "Wild Ginseng, which is as an essence of the flow of the vitality within the system itself. It is an electrifying of the vital forces themselves." (404-4) One reading (5596-1) noted that ginseng acted upon the glands of the body, especially the pineal gland (another mysterious entity!). In addition to its vitality-enhancing qualities, Edgar Cayce recommended wild ginseng root as a stimulant to the entire glandular and digestive systems. Combined with ginger and lactated pepsin, ginseng was also commonly recommended for colitis and intestinal problems. Although the readings did not specify national sources (e.g., American, Chinese, Korean, Manchurian, etc.), there was a consistent insistence on "wild" ginseng. Ginseng Basics The name ginseng is derived from the Chinese word jen-shen, which describes the shape of the root and means "manlike." The manlike or spindleshaped root produces a straight stem with three large compound leaves, each composed of five serrated leaflets. The flowers, which bloom in June and July, are tiny green-white to light pink blossoms. Bright red berries are produced in late summer. Ginseng has a long history of use in China where it has been used for centuries as a cure-all with properties reputed to increase longevity and vitality. Also native to the Americas, ginseng was used by certain North American Indian tribes to relieve nausea and as an ingredient in love potions. Today, ginseng is used extensively to increase body strength and vitality. It is also used for stress management based on its reputation for reducing fatigue, depression, and anxiety. American ginseng is native to the woodlands of eastern and central North America. The wild American ginseng that my grandfather dug once grew in profusion but now has become quite rare. Cultivated varieties grown in shaded fields are common in the Eastern United States and Canada. Even the regions of China that are traditionally known for the quality of their wild ginseng have succumbed to the modern pressures of supply and demand that push for the cultivation this precious herb. Wild Ginseng Cayce's insistence on "wild" ginseng is consistent with ancient Chinese medicine. The traditional Chinese position is that slower growing wild plants, which are harvested at an older age, absorb more vital power from the natural environment. Cultivated ginseng, which does not have to compete with other woodland plants for nutrients or water, grows much faster and is harvested at an earlier age before it has accumulated its full vital potential. This theory is supported by obvious differences in appearance. Wild ginseng root is dark tan in color, relatively small, light in weight, and gnarled in appearance with many concentric growth rings that are forked (resembling the human form). Wild ginseng root typically has a long neck. Cream-colored cultivated roots tend to be large, smooth, and heavy with a shape resembling a carrot. Furthermore, the domesticated variety usually has a short neck. Intensely cultivated ginseng is vulnerable to fungal diseases that are controlled by vigorous use of fungicides. The possibility of pesticide residues in cultivated crops is a major concern for health-conscious consumers. With the rarity of wild ginseng and health concerns associated with the cultivated crops, some ginseng farmers have adopted a middle ground of planting ginseng in a wild setting and allowing it to develop naturally. Wild simulated ginseng has the appearance (and presumably the vital potency) of truly wild ginseng at a reduced price. Ginseng Supplements In the United States, the dried root of ginseng is typically consumed as an ingredient in a dietary supplement. This makes ginseng largely unregulated in terms of potency and pesticide residues. The presence of ginseng in a laboratory sample is determined by levels of a distinctive chemical called ginsenoside. Researchers who analyzed twenty-five ginseng products from a California health-food store found that the level of ginsenodsides varies greatly in powders and capsules (a fifteen-fold difference) and even more in liquid extracts (thirty-six fold difference). Most of the products failed to list their ginsenoside levels on the label. When listed, the measured ginsenoside levels ranged from 11 percent to 330 percent of the stated amount. Another study that focused on pesticides and heavy metals found significant levels of hexachlorobenzene - a potential human carcinogen - in one of five products labeled as containing "Korean Ginseng." Two other pesticides, quintozene and lindane, were also found to be above acceptable levels. None of the products were contaminated with heavy metals. Variability is not uncommon in the unregulated American dietary supplement industry. European herbal suppliers are generally much more closely regulated. Here are some tips to keep in mind if you are considering using ginseng: Buy from reputable suppliers of dietary supplements. Insist on wild or wild simulated sources. Most importantly, monitor your own response to the herb. Trust your intuition as to the potency of the product that you have purchased. Hopefully, the ginseng that you obtain will be dug by a benevolent "wildcrafter" such as my grandfather. A word of caution: Ginseng may interact with certain medications such as the blood-thinning drug Coumadin. Research reported in the Annals of Internal Medicine (July 2004) indicates that ginseng may reduce that drug's effectiveness. As a general principle, it is always a good idea to be alert to possible herb/medicine interactions. David McMillin has written numerous articles for the Association for Research and Enlightenment, founded by Edgar Cayce in 1931. McMillin's articles on holistic health and alternative healing have helped members for many years. keywords: ginseng | edgar cayce | holistic health | alternative health | organic | herbs | plants Ginseng Extract

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