• CELLMED
• /
• v.14 no.2
• /
• pp.2.1-2.10
• /
• 2024

Through big data analysis of the 'Joseonwangjosilok', this study examines the perception of ginseng among the ruling class and its utilization during the Joseon era. It aims to provide foundational data for the development of ginseng into a high-value cultural commodity. The focus of this research, the Joseonwangjosilok, comprises 1,968 volumes in 948 books, spanning a record of 518 years. Data was collected through web crawling on the website of the National Institute of Korean History, followed by frequency analysis of significant words. To assess the interest in ginseng across the reigns of 27 kings during the Joseon era, ginseng frequency records were adjusted based on years in power and the number of articles, creating an interest index for comparative rankings across reigns. Analysis revealed higher interest in ginseng during the reigns of King Jeongjo and King Yeongjo in the 18th century, King Sunjo in the 19th century, King Sejong in the 15th century, King Sukjong in the 17th century, and King Gojong in the 19th century. Examining the temporal emergence and changes in ginseng during the Joseon era, general ginseng types like insam and sansam had the highest frequency in the 15th century. It appears that Korea adeptly utilized ceremonial goods in diplomatic relations with China and Japan, meeting the demand for ginseng from their royal and aristocratic societies. Processed ginseng varieties such as hongsam and posam, along with traded and taxed ginseng, showed peak frequency in the 18th century. This coincided with increased cultivation, allowing a higher supply and fostering the development of ginseng processing technologies like hongsam.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.48 no.3
• /
• pp.245-252
• /
• 2024

Ginseng is a traditional herbal medicine used for prevention and treatment of various diseases as a tonic. Recent scientific cohort studies on life prolongation with ginseng consumption support this record, as those who consumed ginseng for more than 5 years had reduced mortality and cognitive decline compared to those who did not. Clinical studies have also shown that acute or long-term intake of ginseng total extract improves acute working memory performance or cognitive function in healthy individuals and those with subjective memory impairment (SMI), mild cognitive impairment (MCI), or early Alzheimer's disease (AD) dementia who are taking AD medication(s). Ginseng contains various components ranging from classical ginsenosides and polysaccharides to more recently described gintonin. However, it is unclear which ginseng component(s) might be the main candidate that contribute to memory or cognitive improvements or prevent cognitive decline in older individuals. This review describes recent clinical contributors to ginseng components in clinical tests and introduces emerging evidence that ginseng components could be novel candidates for cognitive improvement in older individuals, as ginseng components improve SMI cognition and exhibits add-on effects when coadministered with early AD dementia drugs. The mechanism behind the beneficial effects of ginseng components and how it improves cognition are presented. Additionally, this review shows how ginseng components can contribute to SMI, MCI, or early AD dementia when used as a supplementary food and/or medicine, and proposes a novel combination therapy of current AD medicines with ginseng component(s).

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
• /
• v.11 no.2
• /
• pp.33-39
• /
• 1977

It has been reported that administration of Ginseng powder to the Guinea pig reduces anaphylactic shook induced by horse serum (Lee, 1939). However, Lee et al. (1960) and Paik et al. (1976) have demonstrated that Ginseng increases capillary permeabilites and histamine release from the mast cell. These facts suggest that Ginseng acts directly on the bronchial muscle causing it to dilate. Recently, a number of investigators(Kidakawa & Iwasiro 1963; Takagi et al. 1973) have reported that Ginseng reverses acetylcholine- or histamine- induced contraction in the isolated Guinea pig ileum. We, therefore, undertook the present study to examine if Ginseng relaxes the spasm of bronchial muscle induced by acetylcholine or histamine. We have also attempted to identify the mechanism of the Ginseng effect. Male Guinea Pig was sacrificed by a blow on the head, The trachea was removed and sectioned with scissors into about 12 rings. After the 'C' shaped ring of cartilage was sectioned the one end of ring was tied to the bottom of the incubation bath and the other end was connected to a force transducer (FTO 3C) to record tension on a Polygraph. When the antispasmodic action of Ginseng effect was first examined in the normal trachea which was not treated by the drug. And then the Ginseng effect was tested in the muscle treated by histamine hydrochloride, acetylcholine hydrochloride or barium chloride. The results indicate that Ginseng alcohol extract relaxes the contraction of isolated tracheal muscle induced by histamine $(1{\mu}g/ml{\sim}10{\mu}g/ml)$, acetylcholine $(1{\mu}g/ml{\sim}5{\mu}g/ml)$ and barium chloride (1.5 mg/ml). The mechanism of this action is in Pa.1 due to nonspecific antimuscarinic and antihistaminic effect and in part by predominant action in the adrenergic ${\beta}-receptor$ although the ${\alpha}-receptor$ is also involved. We, therefore, conclude that Ginseng can be act as a bronchodilator.

• Journal of Ginseng Culture
• /
• v.5
• /
• pp.21-31
• /
• 2023

Korean ginseng, a special product of Korea, has been one of the most important exports since the era of the Three Kingdoms. However, not many records were kept about ginseng in Korea until the Goryeo Dynasty. This paper summarizes the records relating to international diplomatic relations and trade of ginseng in the Goryeo Dynasty and the medicinal books known to have been published at the time. During the Goryeo Dynasty, ginseng was actively transported to the neighboring countries of Bohai, Song, Wa, Later Jin, and Yuan as a diplomatic gift or as a trade item. Ginseng was mainly exported from Goryeo to these countries, but it was also received as a diplomatic gift from Bohai and Khitan. Arabian merchants came to Byeokran Port, a representative international trading port of Goryeo, and traded ginseng. After the Mongol invasion, the demand for ginseng in the Yuan Dynasty was excessive, which became a big social problem. During the Goryeo Dynasty, several medicinal books were published, including Jejungiphyobang, Eouuichwalyobang, Hyangyakgobang, Samhwajahyangyakbang, Hyangyak Hyemin Gyeongheombang, Hyangyak Gugeupbang, and Biyebaekyobang. Hyangyak Gugeupbang, which was reprinted during the Joseon Dynasty, has been handed down to the present time, although this has not been the case for the originals of the remaining books. Recently, some of the latter books have been restored through the study of the references in various medicinal books of later generations. While the medicinal books used in the royal court showed that a high proportion of the prescriptions containing ginseng, not a single prescription for ginseng has been found in theHyangyak Gugeupbang, which was mainly used for commoners. This is thought to be because ginseng was very rare and expensive at the time, so it was difficult for commoners to access it.

• Journal of Ginseng Culture
• /
• v.1
• /
• pp.1-10
• /
• 2019

The purpose of this study is to investigate the changes of ginseng properties through bibliographical records. The cultivation of Korean wild simulated ginseng (mountain cultivated ginseng) started from the Goryeo Dynasty around A.D. 1000. Thereafter, from A.D. 1500 to A.D. 1600, ginseng cultivation technology was established in the Joseon Dynasty. At this time, the ginseng was begun to grow in the field near the house, and it is recorded as Gasam (field cultivated ginseng). The Jung-Jo-Sil-Rok (A.D. 1790) states that Gasam cultivation has expanded to the whole country. The properties of ginseng described in almost all oriental medicine books from A.D. 250 to A.D. 1600 were a slightly cold. However, after A.D. 1600, it is said to be slightly warm or warm. Considering from this record, the slightly cold ginseng before A.D. 1600 can be recognized as the properties of wild ginseng or wild simulated ginseng, and the slightly warm ginseng after A.D. 1600 can be recognized as Gasam properties.

• Journal of Ginseng Culture
• /
• v.6
• /
• pp.105-115
• /
• 2024

Wild ginseng, grown in undisturbed forest environments, has been maintained for centuriesthrough human intervention and knowledge, leading to the development of current ginseng agriculture. The practice of ginseng farming has long been established in various regions of Korea. However, the ginseng farming specifically in Geumsan was recognized as a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System (GIAHS) by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in 2018. This designation was granted after a thorough evaluation, which confirmed that Geumsan's ginseng farming met the necessary criteria, including historical importance, traditional knowledge system, agrobiodiversity, and agricultural landscape. Traditional ginseng farming in Geumsan practices the 'rotating agriculture system', a sustainable land use approach that has been developed over several cycles of long duration (10-15 years). It contains the knowledge to choose locations for cultivation that prioritize the direction of sunlight and wind circulation. Furthermore, it received significant recognition for its agricultural heritage value based on its maintenance of several traditional knowledge systems, including ancestral wisdom and knowledge regarding pre-planting field management techniques. As of December 2023, there are currently 86 locations in 26 nations that have been designated as GIAHS. Among these sites, Geumsan stands out as the first and only site in the world specifically recognized for the cultivation of ginseng crops. This historical record serves as a significant reminder of Korea's prominent position as a major producer of ginseng on a global level. This article first provides an overview of the concept of agricultural heritage, the designation criteria, and the status of the designation. It then identifies, among the GIAHS designation criteria, the agricultural heritage value of traditional ginseng farming in the Geumsan region from the perspective of local traditional knowledge systems.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
• /
• v.34 no.1
• /
• pp.40-51
• /
• 2019

Ginseng has a unique production system that is different from those used for other crops. It is subject to the Ginseng Industry Act., requires a long-term cultivation period of 4-6 years, involves complicated cultivation characteristics whereby ginseng is not produced in a single location, and many ginseng farmers engage in mixed-farming. Therefore, to bring the production of Ginseng in line with GAP standards, it is necessary to better understand the on-site practices of Ginseng farmers according to established control points, and to provide a proper action plan for improving efficiency. Among ginseng farmers in Korea who applied for GAP certification, 77.6% obtained it, which is lower than the 94.1% of farmers who obtained certification for other products. 13.7% of the applicants were judged to be unsuitable during document review due to their use of unregistered pesticides and soil heavy metals. Another 8.7% of applicants failed to obtain certification due to inadequate management results. This is a considerably higher rate of failure than the 5.3% incompatibility of document inspection and 0.6% incompatibility of on-site inspection, which suggests that it is relatively more difficult to obtain GAP certification for ginseng farming than for other crops. Ginseng farmers were given an average of 2.65 points out of 10 essential control points and a total 72 control points, which was slightly lower than the 2.81 points obtained for other crops. In particular, ginseng farmers were given an average of 1.96 points in the evaluation of compliance with the safe use standards for pesticides, which was much lower than the average of 2.95 points for other crops. Therefore, it is necessary to train ginseng farmers to comply with the safe use of pesticides. In the other essential control points, the ginseng farmers were rated at an average of 2.33 points, lower than the 2.58 points given for other crops. Several other areas of compliance in which the ginseng farmers also rated low in comparison to other crops were found. These inclued record keeping over 1 year, record of pesticide use, pesticide storages, posts harvest storage management, hand washing before and after work, hygiene related to work clothing, training of workers safety and hygiene, and written plan of hazard management. Also, among the total 72 control points, there are 12 control points (10 required, 2 recommended) that do not apply to ginseng. Therefore, it is considered inappropriate to conduct an effective evaluation of the ginseng production process based on the existing certification standards. In conclusion, differentiated certification standards are needed to expand GAP certification for ginseng farmers, and it is also necessary to develop programs that can be implemented in a more systematic and field-oriented manner to provide the farmers with proper GAP management education.

• Journal of Ginseng Culture
• /
• v.1
• /
• pp.43-56
• /
• 2019

Korean ginseng (Panax ginseng) has been known as one of the representative special and healthful products originating from Korea for 4500 to 5000 years. The word of ginseng was first mentioned in JiJuZhang(急就章), written by ShiYou during the reign of King Yuah Di of the Chien Han Dynasty, China (33-48 BC). It has been known that wild Korean ginseng grows in Korean peninsula including Manchuria and the ginseng is found only between the $33^{rd}$ and $48^{th}$ parellels of north latitude. Since the times of three kingdom in Korea at 4-7 century, which is Kokuryo, Baekje and Shila, Korea has been the chief ginseng producing country. A large quantity of ginseng was exported from Korea to China for medicinal use at that times. That was written in SamGukSaGi(三國史記) by BuSik Kim of Koryeo Dynasty in Korea in 1145. The cultivation of Korean ginseng was also recorded in Bencaogangmu(本草綱目) written by LiShi Zen during the regin of the Ming Dynasty in 1596, China. The ginseng seedling, which was known as an original method invented by imitating the method of rice transplantation, appeared in the SeungJeongWon Ilgi(the diaries of the royal secretariat, 承政院日記), 1687 in the regin of King SukJong in Korea. It was suggesting that ginseng cultivation was firstly established in the early 1600s in Korea. On the other hand, red ginseng(written as 熟參) was reported firstly in GoRyeoDoGyeong(高麗圖經)(a record of personal experience in Korea, written in 1123) by SeoGung in Song Dynasty, China. The names of Pansam(written as 板蔘) and Pasam(written as 把蔘), which were the another types of red ginseng products, were came on in the JoSeon Dynasty Annals in 1552 and 1602, respectively. Although the term of red ginseng(Hongsam in Korean) was firstly appeared in the JoSeon Dynasty Annals in 1797, it is believed to have been developed a little earlier periods from the King Jungjong(1506~1545) to the King SeonJo(1567~1608) in Korea. Then, the Korean red ginseng has begun production on a large scale in SamJeong Department of NaeJangWon(內藏院 蔘政課) in the Korean Empire(大韓帝國) in 1899. More detailed records about red ginseng production method were written in the SohoDanag Miscellany(韶濩堂集) by Taekyoung Kim at 1916 year in Korea. On the while, the efficacy of ginseng was first recorded in Shennongbencaojing(神農本草經) written in China(BC 83-96) and the efficacy has been continuously inherited.

• Herbal Formula Science
• /
• v.15 no.1
• /
• pp.49-105
• /
• 2007

Objectives : Select and analyze the case record of dyspnea and wheezing asthma recorded in Xu Ming Yi Lei An that is the most abundant and wide in contents in existing case records that are systematic, comprehending relatively modern Traditional Chinese Medicine to secure more deep and objective basis of Traditional Chinese Medicine approach for dyspnea and wheezing asthma to analyze and review possibility for clinical application in this study. Methods: The study was conducted with the case records of dyspnea and wheezing asthma in whole Xu Ming Yi Lei An. Pattern identify and classify selected case records and again classified with deficiency syndrome and excess syndrome. Also analyzed prescriptions and herbs used in the case records. Nature of herbs and properties and flavors that were used in the case records were classified and frequency of each nature of herbs were analyzed. Applicable case records were interpreted and suggested prescriptions, pulse feelings, pattern classification were analyzed and described. Results : Among the 5254 case records stated on the complete collection, it is researched that there are 63 case records for the symptom complex of dyspnea as 1.2% of the whole case records, and the case records on the symptom complex of wheezing asthma are 14 as the 0.27% of the total examples. 63 case record examples related with symptom complex of dyspnea were pattern identified and classified. As a result, deficiency syndrome of the Kidney(33 %), deficiency syndrome of the Spleen(26.0%), Wind-Cold(12.3%), phlegm turbidity(12.3%), Heat in the Lung(8.2%), asthenia of the Lung(8.2%) were investigated as above order. 14 case record examples related with wheezing asthma were pattern identified and classified. As a result, phlegm-Heat(26.3%), upper excess and lower deficiency(26.3%), external affections Wind-Cold(15.8%), Dampness-phlegm(10.5%), Lung asthenia(10.5%), Cold phlegm(5.3%), mutual deficiency and detriment of Heart and Kidneys(5.3%) were investigated as above order. Symptom complex of dyspnea has 67.1% of deficiency syndrome, 32.9% of excess syndrome resulting more deficiency syndrome than excess syndrome. Symptom complex of wheezing asthma has 42.1 % of deficiency syndrome and 57.9% of excess syndrome resulting more excess syndrome than deficiency syndrome. In case of symptom complex of dyspnea prescription used in the case record, the order of frequency is as following. Palmijihwang-tang, Bojung-ikgitang, Yungmijihwang-tang, Ijintang, Sojaganggitang, Igongsan. In case of symptom complex of wheezing asthma prescription in the case record, Yungmijihwang-tang, Ohotang, Dodamtang were mostly used. Herbs used in case records of symptom complex of dyspnea are Ginseng Radix, Poria, Glycyrrhizae Radix, Aconiti Iateralis Preparata Radix, Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma, Dioscoreae Rhizoma, Angelicae Gigantis Radix, Rehmanniae Radix Preparat, Pinelliae Rhizoma, Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens are mostly used. Nature of herb properties used for symptom complex of dyspnea and symptom complex of wheezing asthma are herbs that are warm properties. When the symptom complex of dyspnea and the symptom complex of wheezing asthma were treated. if the patient felt tenderness at Pyesu, doctors conducted pricking blood around the opposite Pyesu or Sipseon acupoint. when the patient didn't have tenderness at Pyesu by soft press, pricking blood was performed both sidees, right and left Pyesu. In case of the treatment of symptom complex of dyspnea and symptom complex of wheezing asthma, when they got treatment, when the symptom complex of disease is severe, a doctor cauterized the opposite Pyesu while the other Pyesu felt tenderness, and decided how the above treatment is performed whether the degree of the symptom compolex of disease is severe or not. In case of the treatment of symptom complex of dyspnea and symptom complex of wheezing asthma, if the person felt tenderness at Pyesu and is caught by the Wind-Cold pathogen, slight acupuncture is treated at relevant Pyesu with Fire needling. When patient with symptom complex of dyspnea and symptom complex of wheezing asthma cannot hawk sputum up from the oral and laryngopharynx, suction method is treated. Conclusion : With this study, actual traditional and clinical pattern identification form and characteristics of symptom complex of dyspnea and symptom complex of wheezing asthma were recognized. Modern case report utilizing in clinical application need to be secured and an incurable disease asthma need to be diagnosed and improvement for treatments have to be searched through other case records.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.39 no.4
• /
• pp.314-321
• /
• 2015

Background: Ginseng belongs to the genus Panax. Its main active ingredients are the ginsenosides. Interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs) are the pacemaker cells of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. To understand the effects of ginsenoside Re (GRe) on GI motility, the authors investigated its effects on the pacemaker activity of ICCs of the murine small intestine. Methods: Interstitial cells of Cajal were dissociated from mouse small intestines by enzymatic digestion. The whole-cell patch clamp configuration was used to record pacemaker potentials in cultured ICCs. Changes in cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) content induced by GRe were investigated. Results: Ginsenoside Re ($20-40{\mu}M$) decreased the amplitude and frequency of ICC pacemaker activity in a concentration-dependent manner. This action was blocked by guanosine 50-[${\beta}-thio$]diphosphate [a guanosine-5'-triphosphate (GTP)-binding protein inhibitor] and by glibenclamide [an adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-sensitive $K^{+}$ channel blocker]. To study the GRe-induced signaling pathway in ICCs, the effects of 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (a guanylate cyclase inhibitor) and RP-8-CPT-cGMPS (a protein kinase G inhibitor) were examined. Both inhibitors blocked the inhibitory effect of GRe on ICC pacemaker activity. L-NG-nitroarginine methyl ester ($100{\mu}M$), which is a nonselective nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor, blocked the effects of GRe on ICC pacemaker activity and GRe-stimulated cGMP production in ICCs. Conclusion: In cultured murine ICCs, GRe inhibits the pacemaker activity of ICCs via the ATP-sensitive potassium ($K^{+}$) channel and the cGMP/NO-dependent pathway. Ginsenoside Re may be a basis for developing novel spasmolytic agents to prevent or alleviate GI motility dysfunction.