[www.ntdtv.com 2011-10-14 05:39]
Koreans living in the city of Geumsan believe that ginseng is a gift from the Heavens given fifteen hundred years ago. Since then, they’ve been growing and using the herb for medicine.
The story goes, a god was moved by a young man`s effort to save his sick mother’s life. So the god gave him the herb ginseng. His mother took the ginseng and recovered, going on to live a healthy life.
Now in South Korea, Geumsan County produces over eighty percent of South Korea’s ginseng. Today, many people gather in the city of Geumsan, to see a thousand year old ginseng, proving the legend may have some truth.
[Lee Saseon, Visitor]:
“It is so mysterious! As humans, we can’t even live one hundred years but we can look at a thousand year old ginseng this closely. That’s awesome.”
In February this year, a team of conservationists in Pusan found the thousand year old ginseng root in a temple during routine maintenance. The root was found inside a chamber by the temple’s Buddha statue. It was likely an offering from wealthy patrons when the statue was first madea thousand years ago.
[Chae Byeongwan, Official, Geumsan County]:
“Through carbon dating this ginseng was found to be one thousand and sixty years old with an error margin of only eighty years. It’s worth around five hundred thousand dollars. It will soon be named a ‘national treasure’ because of its rarity and value.”
Even after 1,500 years, we can see God’s gift still being used today for health.
Recent scientific research says ginseng has 36 kinds of ginsenosides, compounds that prevent cancer.
First, many people enjoy ginseng’s effect from steam saunas, foot baths and sitting baths. They use these methods for ginseng’s aromatic effects.
Old people enjoy ginseng as a nutritious snack. They recommend fried ginseng with makgeolli, a raw rice wine. Young people, instead, enjoy ginseng coffee.
[Choi Soojin, Barista, Red Ginseng Cafe]:
“Ginseng coffee leaves a very refreshing aftertaste after drinking because ginseng coffee is made from glucose and powdered red ginseng instead of sugar and cream.”
Teenagers and children usually prefer ginseng pills, with ginseng’s unique bitterness an acquired taste.
With a strong faith in the heavens man was rewarded with ginseng. It’s brought joy and health to the Korean people for centuries.
NTD news, Geumsan, South Korea