14. Shizhu ginseng

Shizhu ginseng is a fine variety of Chinese ginseng with a planting history of more than 300 years. It is harvested after 15~20 or even 30 years of cultivation.

It gets its name from its place of origin – the village of Shizhuzi, near Dandong, on the northern bank of the Yalu River, on a part of Changbai Mountain. The area has high mountains and dense forests, which are suitable for wild ginseng.

Thanks to the cultivation methods and climatic condition, the cultivated Shizhu is on the par with the wild ginseng in shape, and pharmacological and medicinal properties. Modern chemistry has found that Shizhu ginseng contains various kinds of saponins, particularly, the anticancer monomer saponin Rh2.

Photo by Lin Wen