Ginseng, Chinese, efficient cultivation

Author: Sun Licen
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-05-01
Features: American ginseng has long been used by Native Americans as a tonic for strength and vitality. The history of using American ginseng in China, with documented records, dates back over 300 years. According to research, the medicinal book Supplement to the Illustrated Compendium of Materia Medica by medical scholar Wang Ang in 1694 (33rd year of the Kangxi reign in the Qing Dynasty) and Supplement to the Pharmacopoeia from the 30th year of the Qianlong reign in the Qing Dynasty were the first to include American ginseng. American ginseng is also mentioned in Examination of Medicinal Properties: "American ginseng resembles the white bark of Liaonan ginseng, with a flavor similar to ginseng, but it is cold in nature, sweet and bitter, tonifying yin and clearing heat. Ginger-processing enhances its ability to invigorate the body and support qi." Its functions include tonifying lung yin, clearing deficiency heat, and generating body fluids. Medical Notes on Integrating Eastern and Western Medicine states, "American ginseng is cool yet tonifying. It can replace ginseng for those who cannot tolerate the warm properties of ginseng." Tianma, a traditional and precious Chinese herbal medicine, has a medicinal history of over 2,000 years. Due to its remarkable efficacy, it has been listed as a superior grade in all dynastic pharmacopoeias and is known as the "national treasure."