Description of the ginseng plant. Its composition and calorie content. The main useful properties of the product. How can you use it in cooking and what is the risk of excessive use. Ginseng is one of the few natural ingredients that has such a wide range of applications not only in folk, but also in official medicine, as well as cosmetology and vitamin therapy. However, in order to achieve this or that beneficial effect, you should not first of all run to the pharmacy for an expensive drug; first, get the plant in its "pure" form and enter it into your diet. Perhaps this measure will be quite enough to solve the task before you.
Harm and contraindications to the use of ginseng
Ginseng has a strong effect on the body due to the presence in its composition of a large number of biologically active elements. For this reason, it is strictly forbidden to abuse this product, active substances accumulate and, in combination, can lead to negative consequences - dizziness, nausea, increased blood pressure and other unpleasant symptoms.
In addition, you need to understand that ginseng is a powerful stimulant of the body, and when combined with other stimulants such as coffee, green tea, etc., it can lead to overexcitation. Due to its powerful tonic effect, the plant is not recommended for children to eat.
It is also necessary to exclude the product from the diet:
- Pregnant women, since the effect of the plant on the fetus has not been studied in detail;
- People suffering from severe diseases of the cardiovascular system, since the "root of life" can cause increased heart rate;
- In the presence of hormone-dependent diseases (tumor of the uterus, prostate gland, endometriosis, etc.), since the plant can exhibit the properties of estrogen and aggravate the patient's condition;
- People suffering from insomnia - the tonic effect of ginseng is very great and will even more prevent a person from falling asleep.
In addition, ginseng can be harmful in case of exacerbation of inflammatory processes, infectious diseases, as well as in the presence of problems with the thyroid gland and central nervous system. When combined with garlic, ginger, and some other spices, ginseng can cause bleeding in the presence of underlying medical conditions, such as hemorrhoids. Recall once again that ginseng has a powerful effect on the body, and therefore, if you have a particular health problem, both physical and mental, it is better to consult a doctor before using the product.
Ginseng recipes
Ginseng has a pronounced bitter taste, however, if it is correctly added to a particular dish, bitterness can be masked, which is successfully practiced by culinary experts from Asian countries. The plant as a spice is added to soups, main courses from poultry, venison, pork. A good spice also complements salads, stewed vegetables. On the basis of ginseng, marinades are prepared for conservation. For us, the use of ginseng in recipes is a curiosity, but this product is so useful that it would be nice to correct this annoying oversight. If you are afraid to combine spice with food, you can add it to drinks. Here are some recipes for using ginseng in cooking:
- Spicy chicken soup … Heat a little butter in a saucepan with a thick bottom, fry the spices on it - chopped garlic (6 cloves) and ginger root (10-15 cm) until a strong smell. Add finely chopped onions (200 grams), after a couple of minutes, diced chicken fillet (500 grams). Cook for 5-7 minutes. Pour in any broth or water (1 liter), bring the soup to a boil. Add canned or fresh corn (200 grams) and chopped ginseng (1-2 small roots). Cook for 20 minutes, season with salt and pepper. If the soup tastes bitter, soften the taste with honey.
- Fresh salad with trout … Finely grate the ginseng root (2-3 centimeters). If it is dry, soak it in plain water for a day. Squeeze the resulting pulp thoroughly, remove the "cake", and mix the juice with olive oil (30 ml), rice vinegar (1 tablespoon), sugar (a small pinch), salt and pepper. While the dressing is infusing, cut the smoked trout (100 grams) into slices, pick the lettuce leaves with your hands (a generous bunch). Spread the salad on the plates, put the strips of fish rolled into "rolls" on top, pour over the sauce.
- Chicken breast with ginseng … Take chicken breasts (4 pieces), cut each in half lengthwise (this will bake the meat faster and retain its juiciness) and beat off. Rub the fillets with salt, black pepper and ground ginseng. Put the meat on a baking sheet, bake for 15-20 minutes at 180 degrees. You can also fry the breasts in a pan - 2-3 minutes on each side.
- Citrus tea … Place finely chopped ginseng and dandelion root, orange peel or other citrus fruit, dried apple in a French press or other container for brewing tea - take everything in approximately the same proportions. Add a pinch of cinnamon and vanilla pod, pour boiling water over. Strain after 10-15 minutes and drink with hot water to taste. Add honey for sweetness and you have a delicious and super healthy drink.
- Ginseng tincture … Pour vodka or liquor (2 liters) into a glass container, put a whole ginseng root in it - be sure to fresh, not dried. Close the container tightly, put it in a dark place and leave to infuse for 3 months.
As you can see, ginseng is a versatile spice, so don't be afraid to experiment with it. However, do not overdo it - we have already talked about the negative consequences of plant overdose above. You may have noticed that these recipes use ginseng root, but Asian cuisines are good at handling other parts of the plant as well.
Interesting facts about ginseng
Of course, such a strong plant could not but be surrounded by many myths and legends. He added a mystical flair to the useful culture of its appearance: the outlines of the ginseng root are similar to the contours of the human body, and the larger the root, the more obvious the similarity.
In ancient times, they believed in the miraculous properties of the plant, healers tried to make an elixir of immortality from it. However, despite the fact that the miracle pill could not be obtained, the plant was still appreciated and used in the fight against the most serious ailments - plague, smallpox, cholera. In addition, it was believed that at night ginseng sometimes shines with a snow-white fire, and if you dig out the root at this time, then they can not only defeat any ailment, but even resurrect from the dead. However, there was also an important addition to this myth: supposedly in rare moments of glow, the plant is protected by a tiger and a dragon, and it is impossible to defeat the guards. There were curious legends about the origin of the plant. One of the most beautiful sounded as follows: a plant is born only when lightning strikes a mountain spring, the water then goes underground, and in place of the source the very power of heaven's fire appears - ginseng. Another beautiful legend said that the first plant grew where the tears of a young maiden fell to the ground, who mourned her brother Zhen Shen, who died at the hands of her chosen one.
Ginseng root accumulates maximum strength for seven long years, and therefore growing it yourself is a long and not very profitable occupation. This is why it is easiest to buy the root of the plant at the drugstore or large supermarket in the spice section.
Ginseng is a long-lived plant. At the beginning of the 20th century, a 200-year-old plant was discovered. Its weight was 600 grams. This "old man" was bought for $ 5,000. The practice of regular consumption of the plant in food proves that it significantly rejuvenates the body. However, scientists have still not identified due to which of the components contained in ginseng, the rejuvenating effect is so great. At the moment, the most popular theory is that it is a substance called maltol, which is formed in the plant during heat treatment. In Russia, maltol is known as a food additive E636, it is allowed to add it to certain products. It is noteworthy that in agriculture it is used for faster germination of seeds.
American ginseng has less stimulating effect, which gives its advantages if you need to take drugs based on it for a long time. It is American varieties that can be used for treatment for a long time without side effects. That is why today ginseng from the United States is exported to Asia, where the plant is already actively cultivated and grows in the wild.
Watch a video about ginseng:
Ginseng is a truly amazing plant, in terms of the strength of its effect on the human body, it can hardly be compared with anything. However, whether this impact will be positive or negative, the person himself determines. With proper dosage, the root is able to mobilize the strength of the body, to help cope with physical and mental fatigue. When abused, the plant can cause many negative symptoms. In addition, you should not eat the root at all in the presence of certain diseases. In other situations, it is necessary to introduce a product into the diet - it is simply unfair to ignore such a powerful natural product.
