For hundreds of years the Ginseng plant is highly treasured by the traditional chinese medicine for its multiple benefitial properties to the human body. Although many dubious preparations (which often only include minute amounts of the drug) has discredited this plant, it undisputable has an enormous medical potency. Particularly in east Asia this knowledge is deeply embedded in folk tradition. Hence, due to oversampling, Ginseng became extremely rare in its natural habitats. Nowadays, plantations of Ginseng must accomodate the demand.
More information on Ginseng see Weber, Zeuske and Imhof (eds) 1998: Ginseng in Europa. Proceedings of the First European Ginseng Congress, Philipps-Universität Marburg. Moreover, several articles and theses on many aspects of this plant are available from our groups publication collection. Numerous Ginseng products are displayed in a showcase at the Biology Department (elephant hall).

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Last revised on 6th of December 2002 by Stephan Imhof, Email: imhof@staff.uni-marburg.de

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