Ginseng: A Concise Handbook

Ginseng: A Concise Handbook provides comprehensive information on all aspects of the plant which from ancient times the Chinese have regarded as a cure for most infirmities known to man, and that was known to the Cherokees as the "Plant of Life." In this book, James Duke examines ginseng's history, taxonomy, chemistry, and pharmacology, surveys the economics of ginseng cultivation, and compares its properties with those of the humble carrot. The book also contains a chapter on Pathogens by Melodie Putnam.
Applying a healthy scientific scepticism to some of the wilder claims made for ginseng by its growers and devotees, Dr Duke throws light on exactly what is known to us today about this ancient plant. He also analyzes the intricacies of differentiating American ginseng (Panax quinequefolius) and its oriental counterpart (Panax ginseng) -- a question which has puzzled many. (The Latin name Panax derives from the Greek word "panacea.")
In this objective presentation, James Duke has rendered a service not only to those interested in examining the properties of ginseng, but to all those concerned with the intriguing relationship between the world of herbs and human health.