Note 100 — Journaal
Reading edition
“Panax ginseng; jên shên, is the medicine par excellence, the dernier ressort when all other drugs fail ... The principal Chinese name is derived from a fancied resemblance to the human form. The genuine ginseng of Manchuria, whence the largest supplies are derived—in the reniote mountains—consists of a stem from which the leaves spring, of a central root, and of two roots branching off. The roots are covered with rings, from which the age is ascertained, and the precious qualities are increased by age ... In 1891 Korean ginseng was worth Tls. 10,14 per catty ... the usual price for native ginseng was Tls. 80” (Couling, Encycl. Sinica, 1917, bl. 206).
“Wild Manchurian ginseng (Panax) is almost worth its weight in gold. Even the semi-wild quality from Corea is worth its weight in silver ... Though usually described as a medicine, it is rather a food tonic, possessing, in the Chinese opinion, marvellous “repairing” qualities” (Parker, China, Past and Present, bl. 273).
Oude berichten over ginseng komen voor in “Ontleding van de Lucht ende werckingen des wortels Ninzin, welcken gewonnen wert int Coninckryck Corea op de noorderbreete van 43 graden” (Kol. Arch. Overgek. brieven 1642, derde boek) en in Recueil de voyages au nord (1732, IV, bl. 348–365).—“Lettre du Père Jartoux, Jésuite, touchant la plante de Ginseng”.—Nisi is de Japansche naam.—Vgl. C. T. Collyer: The culture and preparation of Ginseng in Korea (Transactions Korea Branch R. A. S. III, 1903, bl. 18–30).