Journal of Ginseng Research

The Korean Society of Ginseng (고려인삼학회)
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Ancient herbal therapy: A brief history of Panax ginseng

  • Maria Assunta Potenza (Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology - Section of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Policlinico University Hospital of Bari) ;
  • Monica Montagnani (Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology - Section of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Policlinico University Hospital of Bari) ;
  • Luigi Santacroce (Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Microbiology and Virology Unit, School of Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Policlinico University Hospital of Bari) ;
  • Ioannis Alexandros Charitos (Interdepartmental Research Center for Pre-Latin, Latin and Oriental Rights and Culture Studies (CEDICLO), University of Bari Aldo Moro, Policlinico University Hospital of Bari) ;
  • Lucrezia Bottalico (Interdepartmental Research Center for Pre-Latin, Latin and Oriental Rights and Culture Studies (CEDICLO), University of Bari Aldo Moro, Policlinico University Hospital of Bari)
  • Received : 2022.01.07
  • Accepted : 2022.03.17
  • Published : 2023.05.01
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Abstract

Ginseng was the most revered of the herbs in ancient times in China, Korea, Japan, America. Ginseng was discovered over 5000 years ago in the mountains of Manchuria, China. References to ginseng are found in books dating back more than two millennia. It is revered by the Chinese people as it is considered a herb for everything use and therefore for a wide range of diseases (currently its Latin name derived from the Greek panacea, meanings, that is, for everything). So, it was used exclusively by the Chinese Emperor's, and they were willing to pay the price without problems. Increasing its fame, ginseng brought a flourishing international trade that allowed Korea to supply China with silk and medicines in exchange for wild ginseng and later along with what grows in America.

Keywords

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