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>From HLCHEN@macc.wisc.edu Tue Nov  9 16:19:11 1993

                 HOW TO KNOW AMERICAN GINSENG
 
     Recently, we received many inquiries of how to tell real
American ginseng from the fake ones and the possible negative
effects of fake American ginseng.
 
     1.  The Matter of Fake American Ginseng
     The flooding of fake American ginseng can be called  the
"CANCER" of today's ginseng market.  Most fake American ginseng is
come from Asia. Some ginseng dealers import low quality Asian
ginseng (usually after fresh ginseng juice was drawn) and Dang3
Shen1 at the cost of $2-5/pound, then rise the price by ten times
and sell them as American ginseng.  As these fake American ginseng
looks very similar to true ones, it's really hard for most
customers to tell the true or fake.  Considered the huge difference
on cost (the average wholesale price of raw American ginseng is
around $40),  you can easily understand why more and more ginseng
dealers involved into selling of fake ginseng.  Now a popular
saying in ginseng business is "Either dealing with fake ginseng, or
you are out of business".
 
     2 .How to Tell Real Fake American Ginseng
     There are several ways for customers to tell the fake American
ginseng.
(1) Color: The skin of real American ginseng is usually in the
color of  golden yellow. Underneath the skin, the RmeatS part is
gray white. The fake ginseng looks pale on the outside and stark
white on the inside.
(2) Wrinkle: Real American ginseng usually has tiny horizontal
wrinkles while fake ginseng has more and wide vertical wrinkles.
(3) Smell: Real American ginseng has a pleasant, and sweety smell
of delicate fragrance; whereas the fake ginseng has a very faint
scent, often reminiscent with herbal medicine.
(4) Weight: Real American ginseng is relatively heavier with
multiple fabrics than fake ginseng. American ginseng melts in the
mouth only after long, repeated chewing, while fake ginseng is more
easily meltable in the mouth.
 
     There are also three practical methods to improve your chance.
(1) Price: the cost of one pound processed mid-size American
ginseng should be above $60-70.  The cheap "bargains" are no doubt
fake.
(2) Mark: Examining the package carefully to see if there are mark,
address and phone number of company on the box.  If there is no
such information except "American ginseng", you's better to think
it over.
(3) Question: Before purchasing, ask sells person that if they will
take full responsibility in case the products was approved fake by
an authorized institution.  Any hesitation or ambiguity in the
answer of that question hint the problem of reliability.
 
     3. Possible Negative Effects of Fake American Ginseng
     Most fake American ginseng is Asian ginseng.  Chinese
Herbalists consider American ginseng is "cooling"(Liang2 Xing4) and
Asian ginseng is "warm" (Wen1 Xing4).  They are quite different at
treating effects.
(1) American ginseng is recommended to reduce stress and fatigue
instead of the more stimulating and depleting Asian ginseng.  For
example, people with higher blood pressure are suggested to take
only American ginseng.
(2) American ginseng can be taken by people of all ages and in an
excellent tonic in all seasons; Asian ginseng is recommended to be
taken by adults only and mainly in winter.
(3) Many test results prove that the total ginsenosides (active
ingredients) in American ginseng are about two times higher in
potency than Asian ginseng, especially the Rb ginsenosides.
 
     For more information:
     Please write to:     P. O. Box 55323, Madison, WI 53705
          or call at:     608-238-7175/608-233-9590  
          or Fax  to:     608-233-9590
          or e-mail to:   IN%"HLCHEN@WISCMACC.BITNET"



