Ginseng

The famous forked root of East Asian medicine, traditionally used in homoeopathy for weakness, low energy and stiffness in the back and limbs.

Ginseng is the slow-growing root of Panax plants of the ivy family. Panax ginseng, Asian or Korean ginseng, grows in the mountain forests of Korea and north-east China, while the classic homoeopathic texts describe the remedy from its American relative, Panax quinquefolius. The pale, forked root has been prized as a restorative in Chinese medicine for centuries.

Homoeopaths traditionally associate ginseng with weakness and exhaustion, especially in the lower back and legs. The old books list lumbago, sciatica and rheumatic stiffness with crackling joints, along with flagging vigour in men. It is a common ingredient of restorative tonics.

• Weakness and fatigue
• Low back pain
• Sciatica
• Stiff joints
• Low vigour