WHAT IS GINSENG, WHAT DOES IT DO ?
WHAT IS GINSENG, WHAT DOES IT DO ?
What is Ginseng ?
Ginseng is among the plants that are grown in the Far Eastern countries and is one of the most used plant in herbal products. Ginseng means "mandrake" in Chinese language. This name is given because the structure of the plant looks like human. The botanical name is Panax. Panax is a Greek word and it means healing everything. Ginseng grows wild in nature, but today, in accordance with demands it has started to be bred by human hands. Ginseng plants are usually 30-50 cm tall with fleshy and thick roots. The ginseng plant is harvested between 3-7 years. It grows in the mixed tree forests and roots of the trees. The nomenclature changes according to the year of harvest.
What are the Benefits of Ginseng?
Although there are national and international researches about the benefits of Ginseng, we cannot talk about the benefits of ginseng because of the legal obligation in the "Turkish Food Codex Regulation on Nutrition and Health” prepared / published by the Turkish Food Codex. We recommend you to take advantage of scientific researches on the benefits of ginseng.
Types of Ginseng
There are 2 most known types of ginseng, these are; Asian (Korean) ginseng and American ginseng. Asian ginseng is named differently as Panax ginseng, Chinese ginseng, Korean ginseng or red ginseng. Generaly, the plant commonly known as ginseng, is Siberian ginseng (eleuthero). Siberian ginseng is not considered to be the original ginseng because it does not contain the active substance called "ginsenoid” at its root, it provides similar ginseng benefits. Many plants are also called ginseng, but do not contain the substance called ginsenoid in their roots. Plant species called ginseng which contains little ginsenoid in the roots or not;
• Chinese ginseng
• Southern ginseng, Jiaogulan
• Siberian ginseng
• Prince ginseng
• Indian ginseng, ashwagandha
• Brazilian ginseng, suma
• Peruvian ginseng, maca, maca radish
• Alaskan ginseng
Harvest of Ginseng
The ginseng plant is harvested between 3-6 years. After the harvest of the ginseng, it names "white ginseng” or "red ginseng” depending on the drying method. Ginseng is called "red ginseng” when dried in the oven after being collected, and "white ginseng” when dried in dry air. Following two harvest methods, the ginseng shows different contents and effects.
How to Use Ginseng
Red korean ginseng has been used in Asian countries for 2000 years Ginseng roots are used after they have been dried. It is used as a whole or split up to parts. By using its roots and leaves the tea can be made. Nowadays, Ginseng products are used in different ways as ginseng capsules, ginseng tea, ginseng oil, ginseng pill.
It is recommended to use ginseng in consultation with your doctor, if you have a health problem or regularly used medication.