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The Cayce Herbal 
 A Comprehensive Guide to the  
Botanical Medicine of Edgar Cayce
 
Wild Ginseng

Botanical Name: Panax quinquefolium

Common Names and Synonyms: American Ginseng

Background: Ginseng has long history of use in China where it has been used for centuries as a cure-all with properties which increase longevity and vitality.  Also native to the Americas, certain North American Indian tribes used ginseng to relieve nausea and an ingredient in love potions.  Today, ginseng is used extensively to increase body strength and vitality.  It is also used for stress management based on its reputation for reducing fatigue, depression and nervousness.
    American ginseng is native to the woodlands of eastern and central  North America.  It once grew  in profusion but  now  has become quite rare.  It is difficult to cultivate and takes six years to reach maturity.  The name Ginseng is derived from the Chinese word jen-shen  which describes the shape of the root, and means, "manlike."  The man-like or spindle-shaped root produces a straight stem with three large compound leaves, each composed of five serrated leaflets. The flowers, which bloom in June and July, are tiny green-white to light pink  blossoms. The bight red berries are produced in late summer.
 

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Ginseng in the Cayce Readings
  • Edgar Cayce recommended wild ginseng root as a stimulant to the glandular and digestive systems.  Specific references to the vitality enhancing qualities of ginseng were made in several readings.  Combined with ginger and lactated pepsin, ginseng was also commonly recommended for colitis and intestinal problems.  Although the readings did not specify national sources (i.e., American, Chinese, Korean, Manchurian, etc.), there was a consistent insistence on "wild" ginseng.
  • Ginseng was mentioned approximately in 138 readings between 1923 and 1944.  In contrast to most herbs recommended in the readings, ginseng was not recommended often during the early years, but generally increased in usage over the years with notable peaks in 1930, 1935, and 1944.
  • Various amounts of dried ginseng were recommended with the following frequency:
    •  
      1 ounce 13 readings
      1/2 ounce 12 readings
      2 ounces 7 readings
      1/4 ounce 4 readings
      1 1/2 ounces  2 readings
      1 dram 5 readings
      2 drams 2 readings
      1/2 dram 1 reading
      1 dram 1 reading
      3 drams 1 reading
      5 drams 1 reading
       
  • Ginseng was also recommended in various forms, including tincture, essence, elixir, extract, and fusion as follows:
    •  
      1/2 ounce 32 readings
      1/4 ounce 15 readings
      1 ounce 8 readings
      2 ounces 3 readings
      3 ounces 1 reading
      1 dram 3 readings
      1/2 dram 3 readings
      10 minims 2 readings
      20 minims 1 reading
      40 minims 1 reading
      4 drops 1 reading
       
  • Ginseng was typically recommended with other substances in a compound.  Although a wide diversity of  formulas were given, the most common substances in mentioned in the same readings as ginseng are as follows:
    •  
      Indian Turnip 55 readings
      Ginger 52 readings
      Stillingia 47 readings
      Pepsin 37 readings
       Tolu 29 readings
      Wild Cherry 25 readings
      Calisaya 18 readings
      Sarsaparilla 17 readings
      Valerian 16 readings
      Yellow Dock 14 readings
       
Cayce Quotes on Ginseng

636-1
... wild ginseng essence, that is according to the ancients - the basis of the stimulation of life in its very essence in the body of man.

5664-1
... while that in Ginseng for the activity of the glands in the system as are affected by the subjugation or depressions of the body, as in a general manner.

5596-1
...  those in the Ginseng as an active force with the glands of the body - which pressure is produced on - in the lumbar regions, which overexercise the functioning of the glands, especially those of the pineal gland, and these are active principles directly with same ...

2253-1
    As we see, the nerve system, or nerve matter itself, is made up of vibrations from the system in its resuscitating or building forces.  These, as we find, may be had from the use of those compounds in the Mayblossom WITH those of the Ginseng, as will STIMULATE those impulses of the body.  These will also make for a better coordination in refraction and refractory reactions in, or between cerebro-spinal and sympathetic system.

1278-1
    In those of the Ginger and Ginseng, act directly with the organs as are affected by the gland production in system.

1019-1
    Stimulation from the Wild Ginseng is to the gastric flow but acts primarily upon the glands of the gastric flow for an activity to the thyroid, to the ducts and glands within the liver area itself as stimulated by the Indian Turnip...

943-13
    We will find, that when this has MOVED - or the impaction as produced the first distress - were there small quantities of the ambrosia weed, with those of the wild ginseng combined together, it would be an active force in sustaining and keeping the proper activity in the mucus membranes of the intestinal system.

839-1
... increasing their stability through the life principle as we have in the Wild Ginseng with the Stillingia as an emit and an active force with the gastric flow - these should soon overcome such conditions.

404-4
    Wild Ginseng, which is as an essence of the flow of the vitality WITHIN the system itself.  It is an ELECTRIFYING of the vital forces themselves.

 

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