Black Ginseng, Ying and Yang

04 April 2008

Black Ginseng, with a component of Saponin, is purported to be at least 15-20 times more potent than the more common white or red ginseng. It is supposed to heal hormonal imbalances, put more estrogen in women, give men stamina, help with diabetes, cure most cancers, high blood pressure, arteriosclerosis, and upset stomachs. It also helps maintain a healthy heart, protects the liver, helps all sorts of diets, slows the aging process, and best of all (so says the ad) there are no side-effects.

Ginseng, also spelled Ginsing, is grown in great quantity about one hour south of here in the large farming area of South Korea called Geumsan. Last weekend, I was invited to visit the area with Mesuk, Park, her husband and their sixteen year old daughter Yu Jeong, Yoo. Mesuk attends Pai Chai University Chapel with me on Sundays.

Our trip was filled with short English phrases, quick tap-taps on the battery-powered translation machine and many "What is that?" questions from my side of the car. The Korean mountains were beautiful and being a misty, cloudy day, the tops were enshrouded in fog creating an ethereal look. As soon as we rounded one curve I knew we were there. The land on either side was cut into long, narrow, extremely straight, and raised rows. Every single row was partially hidden by black plastic stapled to thin wooden frames in the shape of the letter "L", listing to the right. In South Georgia they call it a "lean to"...a small roof that "leans to" the side of a house - you know, where you'd park your car.

Anyway, there were miles and miles, farm after farm and plot after plot of these black plastic covered rows with ginseng growing underneath. You see, ginseng does not like sun. It also takes anywhere from 5-10 years for the stuff to grow before harvesting. This is definitely reflected in the price.

Mesuk wanted me to see the ginseng market. It reminded me of the Statesboro Tobacco market...long rows and numerous aisles of sellers with their product, each one hoping you'll buy from them. It was fascinating and as we walked down the aisles, one lady spoke to Mesuk. They had gone to elementary school together, so naturally we bought from her. I really wanted only one ginseng root...like one carrot, but either something was lost in translation and hand motions or you can't do that. I ended up with almost a kilogram of some of the best! Cost? $20,000KRW or $20.00USD. Mesuk's friend allowed me to take her picture.

After the market, we went to a famous restaurant in the area for dinner. Sitting Korean style of course, we each had a big, personal bowl of steaming rice, chicken and ginseng soup. Absolutely delicious!

Mesuk has another friend who perfected the black ginseng. She presented me with a box filled with individual packets of the black liquid that is to be drunk as-is...one a day.

Not only should I be in good shape come the end of May but my ying and yang will be also be balanced!

JB