Common ginseng blooms in July, fruits ripen in August - September. Collect the root in August, at the time of berry reddening (Fig. 21).
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In wild form, common ginseng grows in Primorsky Krai, Korea, China, cultivated in Korea, China, Japan, USSR (cultivated in China and Korea for more than 100 years).
Grows in virgin broadleaf, coniferous forests in commonwealth with Korean cedar. Ginseng grows alone, sometimes forming "families" of up to 100 plants or more.
The roots of cultivated ginseng harvested in the fall in the 5th-6th year of life are used. The odor is peculiar, the taste is sweet, burning, then bitter.
Chemical composition and properties of ginseng
The properties of ginseng are well known to many phytotherapists. Triterpene saponins, panacea essential oil with sesquiterpenes, panaxic acid, which is a mixture of fatty acids: palmitic, stearic, oleic and linoleic, alkaloids, cane sugar, phytosterols, mucilages, starch, pectin substances, tannins, resins, ascorbic acid, vitamins B, B2 and, according to Chinese researchers, a significant content of phosphorus, sulfur and trace elements: P, K, Ca, Mg, Na, Fe, Al, Si, Ba, Sr, Mn, Ti.
Useful properties of ginseng make this plant medicinal, which treats many ailments.
The effects and uses of ginseng
Ginseng preparations have a wide range of therapeutic action, non-toxic. The use of ginseng can be long lasting. It is established that this root is the strongest excitant of the central nervous system, surpassing the action of a mixture of nroserine with phenamine; unlike the latter does not have a phase of action and negative effects, does not disturb sleep, increases performance in conditions of night wakefulness.
According to experimental data, the properties of ginseng are explained by its excitatory effect on the cerebral cortex and subcortical centers, it positively affects the blood pattern, increases gas exchange, stimulates tissue respiration (mainly of the brain), increases the amplitude of heart contractions, shortens the heart rhythm, accelerates the healing process of experimental ulcers, increases bile secretion, the concentration of bilirubin and bile acids in it, increases the light sensitivity of the human eye in the process of dark adaptation, suppresses the vital activity of bile and bile acids, increases the concentration of bilirubin and bile acids in it, increases the light sensitivity of the human eye in the process of dark adaptation. Prophylactic administration of the root preparation increases the resistance of animals to radiation exposure. An experiment on experimental animals that were placed in equally unfavorable living conditions or exposed to radiation showed favorable results. Animals injected with ginseng quickly recovered normal vital activity, while those who did not receive it were sick or died for a long time.
The multifaceted effect on the body is due to the presence of the following physiologically active substances in the root: panaxin - a substance that tones the heart and blood vessels; panaxic acid - actively acts on metabolism, enhancing oxidative processes, leads to a faster breakdown of fats; panakvilon - stimulates the endocrine system and helps to create the necessary level of hormones in the body; essential oil panaxene - has analgesic and calming effect on nerve centers; glycoside ginsenin - regulates the processes of carbohydrate metabolism, causing a decrease in blood sugar and increasing the synthesis of glycogen, and therefore effective in diabetes. The use of ginseng is recommended in severe diseases, when the basic metabolic processes are disturbed.
The use of ginseng is recommended for physical and mental fatigue, reduced efficiency, after prolonged, severe illness, with cardiovascular disorders of a functional nature, diabetes, hypofunction of the sex glands and some functional nervous and mental illnesses (neuroses, neurasthenia, psychasthenia, etc.).), in chronic hypo- and anacidic gastritis. They contribute to a faster disappearance of pain, increase appetite, regulate the function of the gastrointestinal tract. Have a normalizing effect on blood pressure.
According to Chinese doctors, preparations of the root are also indicated for healthy people, but mainly for patients with exhaustion, weakness, fatigue, headaches, insomnia, night sweats, shortness of breath, hemoptysis, diabetes mellitus, as a metabolism-regulating remedy, lung diseases, anemia, impotence, and as a stimulant in psychasthenia, etc. Despite the useful properties of ginseng, Chinese doctors do not recommend prescribing preparations on this plant for hypertension, children under 16 years of age and during the summer heat.
In medicine of eastern countries (China, Korea, Japan, Indochina, etc.).) root is attributed to the ability to prolong life and youth, so the root is recommended to take not only the sick, but also healthy people from the age of 40 years.
In Korea, the leaves of the root are also used for medicinal purposes. The use of ginseng has been used to heal wounds and ulcers.
The roots of wild and cultivated ginseng are used fresh and preserved in sugar. Often used in combination with antlers and other medicinal plants.
From the root are prepared tinctures, decoctions, pills, powders, powders and ointments. In the form of decoction - 2-3 g per 600 ml of water, which is boiled down to 200 ml. In the form of pills and powder 0.5-1 g.
In the former USSR were allowed to use 10% alcohol tincture and powder of ginseng root, they are administered orally before meals, tincture 12-25 drops 3 times a day, powder 0.25-3 g also 3 times a day. The properties of ginseng increased appetite.
Ginseng root entered the State Pharmacopoeia of the USSR in 1968.
Doctors should prescribe doses to patients individually, according to the condition, the nature of the disease, start treatment with half a single dose during the first 10 days. The course of treatment should last 30-40 days, after which you should take a break. For repeated courses, it is not necessary to reduce the dose..
