Ngoc Linh Ginseng is the most precious and valuable ginseng in the world, found in Ngoc Linh Mountain in the two provinces of Quang Nam and Kon Tum, Vietnam. This is also the ginseng that was honored by Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc with the title of “Vietnam’s National Treasure” thanks to its wonderful pharmacological effects on human health and the economic value that Ngoc Linh Ginseng brings.
The scientific name of Ngoc Linh ginseng is Panax vietnamensis Ha et Grushv., belonging to the ginseng family (Araliaceae), other names: Vietnamese ginseng, Khu Nam ginseng (K5 ginseng), bamboo ginseng (bamboo ginseng, bamboo ginseng), small wormwood root or hidden medicinal plant.
Origin and history of discovery
Before being discovered by scientists, Ngoc Linh ginseng was used by the Xe Dang ethnic group living in the Central Highlands of Vietnam as a wild root, which they called “ngam rom con” or “hidden medicinal plant”, which helped them cure many diseases.
Based on information circulating in the ethnic minority communities of Quang Nam and Kon Tum about a rare tuber on Ngoc Linh mountain that has good effects on human health and due to the needs of the resistance war, the pharmaceutical industry of the Central Central region was determined to find this valuable plant. In 1973, the Central Central region’s medical area sent a team of 4 cadres led by pharmacist Dao Kim Long to investigate and discover ginseng in the direction of Ngoc Linh mountain foot in Dac To district, Kon Tum province. After many days of crossing streams and forests, at 9:00 a.m. on March 19, 1973, at an altitude of 1,800 meters above sea level, the team discovered the first two ginseng plants and that same afternoon, discovered a large ginseng area in the west of Ngoc Linh mountain. After 15 days of comprehensive research on morphology, ecology, population, habitat, distribution, migration and dispersal, pharmacist Dao Kim Long identified Ngoc Linh mountain as the homeland of a new ginseng plant, especially rare, never seen anywhere else in the world. According to the assessment of Dr. Tran Chi Liem, Deputy Minister of Health of Vietnam: this is an important contribution to science, adding new knowledge about the distribution area of the genus Panax down to the 15th parallel and adding a new species to the genus Panax, family Araliaceae.
Distribution
This ginseng species begins to appear from an altitude of 1,200 m or higher above sea level. From 1,700 – 2,000 m, the plants grow in clusters along stream banks, with humidity above 80%, soil rich in organic humus, under the canopy of mixed broadleaf and coniferous forests, growing only on the litter layer and not on the ground, so areas with thick litter layers are ideal conditions for ginseng to grow and develop.
Currently, Ngoc Linh Ginseng has been discovered in the following locations: Ngoc Linh Mountain (Dak To district and Tu Mo Rong district, Kon Tum province, Nam Tra My district, Quang Nam province); Ngoc Lum Heo Mountain (Phuoc Loc commune, Phuoc Son district, Quang Nam); Ngoc Am peak (Quang Nam).
Ngoc Linh Mountain: 2578m high, 50cm thick layer of red-yellow soil on granite, high humus content, loose, vast primeval forest.
Botanical characteristics
Ngoc Linh ginseng is a perennial herb, 40 cm to 100 cm high, at first glance very similar to Korean ginseng, but if you look closely you will see the rhizome has scars and bamboo-like joints left by the annual falling aerial stem. The rhizome is 1-2 cm in diameter, grows horizontally above or below the ground, has many branch roots and tubers. Ginseng has only 1 leaf that does not fall from year 1 to year 3; from year 4 onwards it has 2-3 leaves.
Growth process
- Early January: new shoots appear after hibernation, then gradually develop into a mature ginseng plant with 1 flower canopy.
- April-June: flowering and fruiting
- July: fruit begins to ripen, until September
- Late October: the aerial stem gradually withers, leaves fall, leaving a scar at the top of the ginseng root.
- Hibernating through December, this is the best harvest period.
Parts used
Ngoc Linh ginseng can be used in almost all parts of the plant: leaves, rhizomes, roots, roots, etc.
Chemical composition
Ngoc Linh ginseng is the type of ginseng with the highest Saponin content among all ginsengs in the world, with 52 types (with a total content of 10.82%), of which 24 saponins have a new structure not found in other ginsengs in the world; much higher than the world’s precious ginsengs: Korean ginseng has 25 saponins (with a total content of 3.52%), American ginseng has 14 saponins (with a content of 3.83%), Chinese ginseng has 23 saponins (with a total content of 4.87%). Saponin content is the factor that determines the quality of ginsengs, so Ngoc Linh ginseng is considered by scientists to be the most valuable precious ginseng in the world and has many outstanding uses compared to other types of ginseng.
Among the saponins of Ngoc Linh Ginseng, we must mention the active ingredient Saponin MR2, with the full name Majonosid-R2 belonging to the Ocotillol group – a rare and valuable active ingredient for human health. This is also the specific feature that brings the unique outstanding effects of Ngoc Linh ginseng compared to other types of ginseng in the world.
MR2 is recognized by many scientists as having the ability to fight cancer cells. Many studies have shown that this active ingredient has an inhibitory effect on both the initiation and development stages of cancer cells. In addition, MR2 also has anti-stress and anti-depression effects, etc.
In addition, Ngoc Linh ginseng also has many other health-beneficial compounds: 7 polyacetylene compounds, 17 fatty acids, especially unsaturated fatty acids, 18 amino acids, including 8 essential amino acids for the body, 20 trace elements, 0.1% essential oil, etc.
The effects of Ngoc Linh Ginseng
- Anti-cancer
- Anti-stress, anti-depression, anti-anxiety
- Anti-liver toxicity, supports reduction of cirrhosis and hepatitis
- Support for lowering blood sugar
- Reduce blood fat by lowering LDL-cholesterol (bad cholesterol), lipoprotein, …
- Increase blood circulation, strengthen blood vessels throughout the body
- Nourish the body, strengthen the immune system, improve resistance to adverse effects of the surrounding environment
- Helps regulate the cardiovascular system and blood pressure: increases blood pressure in cases of hypotension due to blood loss.
- Increase hormones, enhance physiological function in both men and women, clearly shown in cases of sexual weakness through stimulating brain activity on the pituitary gland, increasing the production of sex hormones.
- Reduce pain, reduce unwanted effects of radiation therapy, chemotherapy such as poor sleep, hair loss, dry skin, anemia… improve physical condition, prolong life
- Anti-inflammatory, soothes sore throat, clears phlegm in bronchial and pulmonary diseases, cough and asthma
- Increased blood recovery: increases the number of red blood cells and white blood cells that were previously reduced
- Antioxidant and anti-aging
Assign
Thanks to its outstanding pharmacological effects, Ngoc Linh ginseng is indicated in many cases:
- Diabetes and risk of diabetes
- Hyperlipidemia
- Low blood pressure
- Thin, weak, tired person
- People with stress and depression
- Decreased sex hormones in both men and women
- Cancer patients and cancer prevention
- People with liver diseases: hepatitis, cirrhosis, etc.
- People who want to improve their health, strengthen their immune system, and increase their resistance when the surrounding environment has adverse factors that negatively affect their health: weather changes, long-distance travel, epidemic season, etc.
Do not use Ngoc Linh ginseng in the following cases:
- Insomnia, fire
- Pregnant women: because ginseng has the effect of increasing sex hormones and uterine contractions, it will affect the fetus.
- People with cold abdominal pain, abdominal pain with diarrhea such as: abdominal pain, diarrhea, bloating, flatulence…
- Children under 14 years old (premature sexual development). Ginseng is only used for children who are malnourished, have rickets, are physically weak, have just recovered from illness, are anemic…and is prescribed by a doctor.
Dosage
According to Vietnam Pharmacopoeia IV, Ngoc Linh ginseng is used 6-10g/day.
How to use Ngoc Linh Ginseng
- Processing fresh Ngoc Linh ginseng with foods
- Use to brew Ngoc Linh Ginseng tea
- Fresh Ngoc Linh ginseng soaked with honey
- Fresh Ngoc Linh ginseng soaked in wine
- Use sliced Ngoc Linh ginseng and suck directly.
- In addition, there are now many products made from Ngoc Linh Ginseng that are very convenient.
