Ginseng: A History
Black Cohosh Ginkgo Biloba Dong Quai Ginseng Red Clover Soy Vitex Macafem
Black Cohosh
Black cohosh grows in the woods of eastern North America
Ginkgo Biloba
Traditionally used in Chinese medicine for thousands of years.
Dong Quai
Dong Quai is often referred to as "the female ginseng"
Ginseng
The Chinese word "rénshén" means "man root" in English
Red Clover
Originates from Asia, parts of Northern Africa, and Central Europe
Soy
Traditionally used in the Orient as a source of protein and medicine
Vitex
Vitex agnus-castus is also called chaste tree
Macafem
Originates from the Andean mountains of Perú

Ginseng: A History

Ginseng has been used like medicine for three thousand yearsBelieved to have been discovered in the mountains of Northern China, ginseng has been known to exist for over 5000 years. Initially first thought to be used as a food, ginseng has been used as a medicinal remedy for over 3,000 years. An Old Chinese canon of medicine states ginseng helps strengthen the soul, brighten the eyes, open the heart and expel evil. Read on to learn about the history of ginseng.

Native Americans and Ginseng

Within America ginseng was used by many North American native nations. The Cherokee, Creeks and Iroquois valued ginseng for its curative powers and life enhancing capabilities. Historians estimate American settlers discovered ginseng in the mid 1700s in New England and by late 1700s ginseng was being sent to China spurring a growing ginseng trade making many merchants considerably wealthy. By the mid 1850s over a half million pounds of the herb was being harvested from America’s wild ranges and exported to Asia, however by the turn of the century ginseng was in danger of being extinct due to over harvesting.

In the early 1900s ginseng begun its revival when Eastern farmers began cultivating the herb in small gardens eventually spreading cultivation to the West and woods of Wisconsin. Wisconsin has ideal growing conditions for ginseng and some have labeled this state ‘home of the world’s finest ginseng root”.

Ginseng and the World

A slow growing perennial that prefers growth in the deep forests ginseng’s unique properties and popularity have led to the wild version to become over hunter. In Asia, wild ginseng is highly sought after and has been hunted and harvested to near extinction.

Is thought to Ginseng improve our life force or qiMany people believe cultivated ginseng has slightly different properties than its wild cousin. The Asian species is thought to be the superior compared to the American. The Asian ginseng is thought to have a yang tonic or more warming while the Asian is said to be a yin tonic or more cooling. Both the ginsengs are thought to be capable of strengthening our vital life force or qi.

Remedying everything from cold to menopause ginseng is capable of protecting the body from physical and mental stress and the enthusiasm for the herb only continues to grow. Click here to read more information about ginseng.

Sources
• “Ancient Ginseng History”.www.cornermark.com
• “Ginseng: Herbal Remedies”. www.health.howstuffworks.com
• “Ginseng”. www.kcweb.com
• “Ginseng”. www.diet.com

Main Sections
Macafem
Is an Andean plant regarded as one of the best treatments for menopause symptoms because of it boosts the endocrine system.
Dong Quai
Is an Asian plant that has been used for thousands of years to treat gynecological problems, blood disorders, and as a sedative.
Ginkgo Biloba
Is a popular and ancient Chinese herbal remedy used to improve circulation, mental performance, and menopause symptoms.
Ginseng
Is a root widely used by Chinese, Koreans and Native Americans as a preventative treatment and to increase vitality.
Soy
Is a healthy, low-fat source of protein and is used as treat menopause because of its high amount of phytoestrogens.
Red Clover
Is a variety of Clover with a high nutritional value and it's widely used as an immune-booster and menopause relief, but it has some side effects.
Black Cohosh
Is a phytoestrogenic herb from eastern North America and it is used as a supplement to treat several illnesses, including menopause symptoms.
Vitex
Used since roman times to help women with hormonal imbalances, but pregnant women should avoid it.
Which herb should women try? Today women are looking for relief from their menopause symptoms with herbs. Phytoestrogenic herbs and non-estrogenic herbs are good in relieving menopause symptoms, but recent studies show that non-estrogenic herbs have no side effects because they help the body to produce its own hormones instead of introducing hormones like the phytoestrogenic ones. Learn more about non-estrogenic herbs for menopause.
Ginseng: A History