Ginseng Soup Recipe - An Energy Booster

Ginseng is considered the king of herbs in traditional Chinese medicine. It has been widely used by Chinese as an energy booster. Making Chinese ginseng soup is an easy and tasty way to consume ginseng and it is beneficial in tonifying the lungs and spleen, building up the stamina and strength, and rejuvenates the glandular secretions (hormones) of the endocrine system. In addition to that, it can normalize high blood sugar content, improves vision and hearing, raises low blood pressure, and overcome fatigue. Ginseng also helps in improving thinking, memory, concentration, work efficiency, physical stamina, and athletic endurance. It was something I used to take during examination weeks during my university years.

Here is the easy Ginseng soup recipe; there are various methods to make the soup. You can use either microwave method or Crockpot (slow cooker) method. The later is more commonly practised by Chinese, who likes to simmer soup for hours.

Ingredients

120g (4 ¼ oz) ginseng

450g (1 Ib) pork spare ribs or chicken ribs

Seasonings

½ teaspoon salt (to taste)

Microwave Methods

1)Chop the spare ribs or chicken into about 1.5 inches long pieces. (Or you can cook the chicken as a whole after removing the internal organs. This is commonly practised in Korea.)

2)Boil the ribs in a pot of water for 3 minutes to clean it.

3)In a microwave safe pot, add 5 cups of water, ginseng and ribs.

4)Cover the pot with cling wrap and pot lid.

5)Microwave with high power for 15 minutes.

6)Then, reduce the microwave power to medium and microwave for another 30 minutes.

7)Add salt to taste before serving (optional).

8)Serve hot.

Crockpot or Slow Cooker Method

(Use the same ingredients as above)

1) Chop the spare ribs or chicken into about 1.5 inches long pieces. (Or you can cook the chicken as a whole after removing the internal organs. This is commonly practised in Korea.)

2) Boil the ribs in a pot of water for 3 minutes to clean it.

3) Boil about 5 cups of water.

4) In a Crockpot or Slow Cooker, add the ginseng, pork ribs / chicken pieces and 5 cups of hot water (or enough water to cover the chicken / pork pieces).

5) Cover the pot.

6) Cook slowly on high heat for about three hours.

7) Add salt to taste before serving (optional).

8) Serve hot.

Korean Ginseng Chicken Soup is called “Samgyetang” in Korean. Normally a whole young chicken, stuffed with glutinous rice, is boiled in soup with Korean ginseng. Herbs such as ginger, garlic and wolfberry are sometimes added to the soup enhance the taste. The Koreans like to drink Samgyetang especially in the summer to replenish the body after a long day of physical exertion from work.

Cautions

Due to its tonic effect, it is highly recommended that to avoid taking ginseng when one is sick with flu, cold, or any other type of infection.

Ginseng is generally well tolerated, however, caution is advised when consuming ginseng along with over-the-counter or prescription drugs. Please kindly consult your doctor before consuming the herb.

Note When You Buy Ginseng

There are various types of ginseng :

1)Panax red ginseng from China

2)Panax red ginseng from Korea

3)American ginseng (Panax Quinquefolium)

4)Siberian ginseng (Acanthopanax Gracilistylus)

Since each of this ginseng are quite different in its effect on health, one is advised to do the research on their properties, benefits and sub-effects before using. You can get some basic information here in this wikipedia site.

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