RED CLAY
Native to the mountainous regions of East Asia, particularly northeastern China, Korea, and eastern Siberia. American ginseng is native to eastern North America. Both species grow in cool, shaded hardwood forests and require specific soil and climate conditions.
Asian Ginseng, Korean Ginseng, American Ginseng, Man Root
Panax ginseng (Asian), Panax quinquefolius (American)
Perennial deciduous herb
Ginseng has been revered in Traditional Chinese Medicine for over 5,000 years, earning the title "King of Herbs." Ancient Chinese emperors sent expeditions to find wild ginseng, believing it granted immortality. In Korean culture, it's considered a national treasure and symbol of vitality. Native American tribes, particularly the Cherokee and Iroquois, used American ginseng for similar purposes, calling it "man root" due to its human-like shape. The plant's rarity and slow growth (6-7 years to maturity) have made it more valuable than gold in some periods.
Clinical research supports ginseng's adaptogenic properties and benefits for cognitive function, with studies showing improvements in mental performance and fatigue reduction. Evidence suggests potential benefits for blood sugar control in type 2 diabetes and immune function enhancement. The active compounds, ginsenosides, vary between species and preparation methods, affecting therapeutic outcomes. Quality and standardization remain important factors in research consistency.
Wild ginseng can live for over 100 years, and the older the root, the more valuable it becomes. A single 100-year-old wild ginseng root sold for $400,000 in 2019, making it literally worth more than its weight in gold.
Source Note: Aggregated from open public sources. Stored and structured using Red Clay Science's internal formatting standard.