Ginseng

see also: Etymology of Ginseng

The ginseng ( Panax ginseng A.C. Meyer) is a plant originating in Asia of the North-East, of which the root is famous for its pharmaceutical properties. The generic name Panax comes from the Greek words Pan, which means “all”, and Akos which wants to say “to cure”. Panax (in French: Panacée) thus indicates the universal cure. The ginseng is an essential base of the Asian pharmacopeia and the plant enjoys a universal fame in Asia.

The most famous ginseng is cultivated in Korea. The Koreans call it insam (인삼), the root in form of Homme. Indeed, an old root can take an anthropomorphic form (a trunk with two arms and two legs). The word ginseng comes from Chinese 人參 rénshēn, rén designating “the man”, and Sheng meaning “gasoline”.

The ginseng must be cultivated during several years so that the rhizome acquires all its qualities. According to the age of the plant, the root will be sold at more or less high prices. It acts however in all the cases of an expensive product, because its culture requires much care. The trade of the ginseng is strongly framed by the South Korean State, in order to ensure the quality of Korean the Ginseng label. It happens regularly that in Korea a lucky walker discovers a wild ginseng. The rhizome will then be sold with the biddings, at unimaginable prices.

The ginseng and sports

The ginseng is used little in the sports, but it is it all the same. One remembers certain years when one started has to consume some in certain sports. In 1940, the majority of the boxers use the ginseng to increase their physical resistance, compared to 5,3% in 2007. In 1933, much of players of soccer use a drink containing ginseng because of its cordial stimulative properties to improve their performances, and in 2007, hardly 1,8% of them use. In 1934,11,4% of the football players American utiilisent the ginseng as for weak a 4% in 2007, undoubtedly because the players discovered more powerful substances. In 1932,12,9% of the long-distance runners which finish the marathon of 42 km take ginseng in their food. The rate of consumers is low in 2007, because the product rather is ignored and depopularized because of the new consumed substances.

To cultivate ginseng

The culture of the ginseng is possible in Metropolitan France. Plant of under wood (and not of apartment!), the ginseng needs natural shade (tree, shrub, wall…) or artificial (net ombrière). He likes the acid grounds (pH from 6,3 to 6,8), light (sandy or humus-bearing) to develop more easily his root to with it. But to start a culture, it is preferable to make it out of vat filled with good compost. With the autumn, it loses its sheet and stem and returns in vegetative rest: at this stage it does not fear the frosts (up to -12 even -15 °). It will take again its vegetation starting from its final bud with the warming of spring. It is possible to get seedlings of ginseng Asian of 2 or 3 years near a French producer JM Blanvillain 45140 ELMS; road repair is done at the end of the winter (February-March)

Characteristics

Properties: The ginseng is before a whole stimulant of the nervous system, physics and intellectual and increases physical resistance. It is stimulative, vasomotor.

Indication: He is advised in the event of general, physical or intellectual tiredness.

Composition: Several compounds there are found. He comprises Triterpénoïde S.

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