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GINSENG -
Panax Quinquefolium
Also Known As: American Ginseng, San, Redberry, five
fingers, man root, divine root, Root of life LOCALES : Maine to Minnesota, N.
Georgia, Arkansas and China.
Ginseng stimulates and increases endocrine activity in
the body. Promotes a mild increase in metabolic activity and relaxes heart and
artery movements. Stimulates the medulla centers and relaxes the central nervous
system.
CAUTION: Don't take Ginseng and Ginseng mixtures with
Coffee as it will accelerate the caffeine effects on the body and can cause
diarrhea.
There are several way to prepare and use Ginseng, more
than I have in my Grimoire, I'm sure. The ones I am familiar with follow:
1) Chewed as a root, raw, about a pencil's thickness and
1" long is best. 2) As a Tea, 1 teaspoon of root filaments in a pint of boiling
water for 10 minutes (chew & swallow the pulp). Sip tea very slowly. 3) Kaoliang
: this is a very expensive Chinese wine, aged at least 3 years. It has a
strength level of vodka in alcohol content. Makes an excellent nightcap. 4)
French Love Wine: two parts Chablis, crush in an ounce of vanilla bean, ounce of
cinnamon chips, one dried Rhubarb and one of ginseng. Leave stand 2 weeks & stir
it daily. Strain thru cheesecloth and add amber for color (if wanted).
Japanese Ginseng should be avoided, as most of it is of
poor quality. Korea exports ginseng 'tea' which is pleasant, but is heavily cut
with other herbs so that some of the effects are lost.
Ginseng is said to be highly good for the metabolism, and
promotes general well being. It has a reputation as an aphrodisiac, but this
seems to be totally based on the fact that it relaxes the overly tense person a
bit. If you suffer from back pain or TMJ adding this to a tea of Catnip and
slippery elm may help. It is also presumably useable as an ingredient in a meade
or magewine.
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