The healing properties of ginseng ordinary since ancient times were known in the east. Subsequently, it began to be used in many other countries of the world. As soon as ginseng was recognized in official medicine, due to the increased need for its roots, its number also decreased. Now it belongs to rare plant species. In our article we will talk about the value of a living natural monument and why it should be protected.
General information
First, we will try to give a brief description of common ginseng: the long-lived plant is famous for its healing properties and unique root structure. Each individual spine resembles a unique human figure. Because of this feature, many legends and traditions are composed about him. Currently, the wild plant is taken under protection, and the roots of the cultivated perennial are used in medicine.
Ordinary ginseng is a living monument of nature and a relic plant, originating from prehistoric times. In the wild, grows in the south of the Khabarovsk Territory and in Primorye.
In Russia, a medicinal plant is called divine grass, the salt of the earth, the miracle of the world, the gift of immortality and the root of life.
Botanical Description
It is interesting that the root of the plant retains its useful properties throughout the cold season, during the period when the aboveground parts of the medicinal herb die.
Botanical description of common ginseng:
- Herbaceous perennial plant reaches 40-70 cm in height. It has an erect single stem with a whorl in its upper part, consisting of long-leaved leaves.
- The leaves are palmate, five-compound, wedge-shaped at the base. Each individual leaflet has an ovoid shape with a pointed apex. The surface is slightly fleecy, serrate edges.
- The whorl releases a floral arrow bearing pale umbellate inflorescences. Peduncle thin, spherical inflorescences, umbellate.
- Flowers are staminate, bisexual, in young plants collected in umbrellas of 10 pcs.
- The fruits are fleshy, red with three seeds, inedible, ripen in August or September.
Beneficial features
Ginseng roots are used both fresh and dried. They have a tonic, adaptogenic and stimulating effect. The most common way to prepare a medicine is to cook the roots in sugar syrup.
The main active ingredients are panaxosides. The composition of medicinal raw materials includes essential oils, fatty acids, pictic substances, resins, mucus and B vitamins. Of the macroelements - phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, potassium. Trace elements: iron, sulfur, molybdenum, manganese, zinc, titanium, chromium, aluminum, silicon.
In eastern countries, indications for root use are the following conditions: decreased working capacity, exhaustion, chronic fatigue, excessive physical exertion, mental retardation. It helps in the treatment of heart disease, neurasthenia and anemia. Eastern doctors believe that he is able to lengthen people's lives. Powders, ointments, pills, decoctions, tinctures are made from it, and also used in the form of tea.
In Russian pharmacies you can find ginseng root in the form of an extract or alcohol tincture. Currently, searches are underway for plants of the genus Araliaceae. It was revealed that the following representatives possess similar stimulating properties: Eleutherococcus, high zamanika and Manchu aralia.
Red Book Feature
You can find a brief description of ginseng in the Red Book. Its content lies in the following characteristics: herbaceous perennial, the only representative of the Aralian genus. In nature, propagated by seeds carried by birds. They begin to sprout only for 2-3 years. Reproduction can occur in a vegetative way, but this is rare.
The development of young bushes is too slow, and only at 8-9 year the plant blooms. A valuable perennial has a very interesting feature. During a period of unfavorable habitat for the plant for several years, it can immerse itself in the so-called temporary sleep. The average period of its existence can reach up to 130 years. Here is also attached a photo of common ginseng.
Relic cultivation
The cultivation of a medicinal perennial is a kind of protection of its natural reserves. In their properties, cultivated plants are no different from wild plants. To grow a large amount of raw materials, you need to make considerable efforts, since this is a very time-consuming process. However, science does not stand still, and now there is the opportunity to receive a valuable medicine with the participation of in vitro (cell culture). The cultivation of biomass by this method is carried out in laboratory conditions.
The cultivation of common ginseng is not limited only to the borders of Primorsk. It is grown in Cheboksary and Sakhalin. For this purpose, special plantations are prepared with conditions close to natural. The root is cultivated in other countries, such as the USA, China, Australia and Korea. The resulting raw materials are used for the development of pharmacological and cosmetic products.
Shade and high humidity are optimal conditions for growing medicinal perennials. In order for the roots to accumulate the necessary amount of nutrients, they need to be in such an environment for about 5 years. Upon reaching maturity, they are dug up and sorted. Then they go through the drying process and the desired degree of grinding. It was noted that the plant develops faster on plantations.
Growing process
The soil for root cultivation is prepared several years in advance. Preparation consists in the annual digging and extraction of larvae that die in the sun. The use of insecticides is completely excluded. Even a small dose of these substances can lead to a loss of medicinal qualities of the plant. A canopy is installed above the seedlings so that a small amount of light falls on them. In the third year, extra buds are removed from the bushes.
After 6 years, the roots are carefully dug up so as not to damage the small processes. In the place where ginseng was previously grown, nothing can be planted over the next 10 years. If you simplify the cultivation of a valuable root, this will lead to a decrease in its main advantages.
Protective measures
In the Primorsky Territory, a special program for the protection of a valuable root has been developed. Ordinary ginseng was listed in the Red Book in 2002. Ecologists of the country decided the following:
- There was a need for several years to suspend the harvesting of roots.
- The protection of populations outside the reserves was organized.
- A method for maintaining natural populations was planned, consisting in sowing unstratified seed stock and planting young plants in the natural environment.
Limiting factors are also considered. The number of valuable plants decreases due to irrational use and illegal procurement of raw materials. Its reserves are reduced as a result of forest fires, violation of forest litter and deforestation. A negative factor is the low seed productivity and the slow process of plant development in the first few years.
In which reserve is ginseng common guarded? Thanks to programs for the restoration and conservation of the relic population, several such places were formed. This plant is taken under protection by four reserves: Lazovsky, Bolshekhekhtsirsky, Usuriysky, "Cedar Pad".
Suitable growing conditions
Ginseng ordinary loves drained rich soils, shaded areas and mixed cedar forests. Feels good among tall trees with closed crowns and scanty hit of light. Often found on the slopes of the southwestern and southeastern parts of the Primorsky Territory. Also in hornbeam pine forests and broad-leaved forests where yellow birch, linden and maple grow . It grows in the Ussuri taiga in mixed groves. On the northern slopes hides under the dense thickets of ivy, fern and grapes.
Description for children
Future generations should be aware of the fact that they are also responsible for the conservation of flora and fauna. Therefore, the child needs to instill a love of flora and fauna from an early age. In many schools, such training is included in the overall curriculum. How can children be presented with the characteristics of a relict plant that is on the verge of destruction?
What can be mentioned in the essay for children about common ginseng? The plant description may look like this:
- Ginseng is the oldest medicinal plant.
- The root is that part of it that deserves special attention.
- The upper part of the rhizome, called the neck, is very wrinkled. The older the plant, the more powerful its root. As it develops, the lateral processes, called the accessory roots, thicken and are divided down into 3-6 parts. Due to the fact that the lower root system absorbs more nutrients, a healing and interesting in shape root similar to a human figure is formed.
- Upon careful examination, you can find such parts of the body as arms, legs, stomach, chest and a small head, sometimes turned to the side. From the Chinese language, the word "zhen" is translated as a person, the word "shen" is the root. It is from this part of the plant that many drugs are developed that support human life.
- The aerial part of the plant before the formation of fruits has a less attractive appearance. Ordinary grassy bushes in July throw out inconspicuous inflorescences in the form of umbrellas. On their corollas, one can observe many insects that pollinate the plant.
- The result of the work of useful insects is the appearance of ovaries at the end of flowering. And in early September, an inconspicuous plant is being transformed due to well-ripened bright scarlet berries, distinguished by bulk pulp.
For grade 3, in a message about common ginseng, it would be nice to pay attention to such points:
- external characteristics of the plant;
- what are relic plants, and how are they interesting;
- where it grows in the wild;
- useful properties of the root;
- what measures have been taken to protect a living natural monument;
- what needs to be done to contribute to the preservation of the plant world.
Status
Students should have a brief overview of the protected species and know what they look like. Plants taken under protection have their own status. Some of them are noted as rare species, but there are those that can cease to exist forever. In addition to ordinary ginseng, another 6 species of plants that are threatened with extinction are listed in the Red Book of Russia: Ussuri nesting, Schreber brazii, Korean goryanka, Vorobyov buzulnik, twisted kirkazon, Vorobyev kasatik. Species reducing abundance: densely flowered pine, continental aralia, high zamani, solid juniper, Schlippenbach rhododendron, mountain and milk flowering peonies.
Conclusion
Ordinary ginseng is a narrow-areal and rare plant. It is unlikely that there will be anything like this on our planet. At the same time, the legendary glory of a healing remedy brought him harm. It is because of this that its number has decreased. The desire to save this miraculous means will succeed only if everyone learns to take care of nature.