Ginseng

Chinese traditional medicine stresses preventive measures against disease. For centuries, taking tonics in winter has been considered as effective means of making up for deficiencies of the internal organs and of enhancing one's vitality.

Ginseng is considered best for people with such symptoms as dizziness, palpitation, forgetfulness, weariness, night sweat, or kidney pain.

Legend has it that in ancient times, ginseng was a fairy in the likeness of a male infant. It was said that he who has lucky enough to catch and eat it could ascend to heaven and live forever, but the fairy had to be caught in complete darkness

At that time, there was a tyrant who had just lost a war and was in a rage, especially against a capable general who had advised against the invasion. He jailed the general and announced that he would be set free only if his son could produce the fairy. Meanwhile, the father faced starvation, as the tyrant never gave his victims any food.

The young man went to the place where he had often seen the fairy dancing in the grass. Sure enough, the fairy appeared, but as the young man draw near, it vanished. But the youth had a plan. He put a leather bag over the spot where the little fairy usually emerged from the earth, and then he sat beside it, holding his breath. When he felt something inside the bag, he quickly closed its mouth. The fairy was caught.

The fairy begged for mercy. The young man was moved but explained that the life of his father was at stake. “Set me free, good hearts are always rewarded,” the fairy assured him.

The young man opened the bag and set the fairy free. The fairy thanked him and then told him to return and dig in the place where he had caught it, after his father's corpse was returned to him. As soon as the general's body was sent home (he had starved to death), the young man did as the fairy had directed, and found a root that looked exactly like the infant fairy. He tasted it, felt vigorous and lost his hunger. He put some in his father's mouth and he came back to life. The young man named the root “ginseng”.

There are two main kinds of ginseng: wild ginseng and cultivated ginseng. Wild ginseng grows mainly in ancient forests in the mountains of Jilin and Heilongjiang provinces. It is rare and extremely hard to find, very nourishing, and powerful. Consult a physician, preferably a doctor of traditional Chinese medicine, before taking it. However, a small daily dosage of less than three grams either steamed or boiled will not hurt anyone.

Ginseng Chicken

Boil the chicken with three or five grams of ginseng in a pot. After 5 mins, turn down heat and simmer untial the chicken is well done ( about 3 hours). The juicy is used by those who have lost much blood in surgery or childbirth.