Ginseng is one of the precious medicinal herbs of the east, and is well known for its curative effects in treating various illnesses, improving blood circulation and fortifying the body overall.

In Korea ginseng has thrived since ancient times thanks to the land's mountainous terrain and climate that makes it an ideal place for not only ginseng but other wild herbs to grow.

It was traditionally one of the favorite gifts for Korean kingdoms of old to exchange with Chinese kingdoms, and a key commodity for trade by the time of the Goryeo Dynasty (A.D. 918 - 1392).

The kind of ginseng found in Korea is known as “Panax ginseng C A Meyer,” with panax meaning “cure all.” It is more simply referred to as “Goryeo Insam,” whose brand value alone attests to its superior quality throughout history. It is basically classified into “sansam,” or ginseng of the mountains, and “insam,” or “cultivated ginseng.” While the former is known to be more powerful in its effects, the latter was created to meet the mounting demand and continues to improve with the assistance of modern science.

So celebrate Korea's long tradition of the history of this herb at the 2009 Geumsan Insam Festival (Sept. 18 – 27) at Ginseng Expo Square and Herb Street of Geumsan-gun County in Chungcheongnam-do (South Chungcheong Province).

Geumsan is where the largest amount of ginseng is produced in the country and one of the big exporters of the product to China, Japan, Southeast Asia, Europe, and North America. And with Chuseok (Korea's full moon harvest festival) coming up early next month, the event is also a wonderful opportunity for preparing gifts.

This year the festival has the tag words “beauty” “smile” and “filial piety,” and will not only showcase a good deal of medicinal products made of ginseng, but there will also be lots of experience programs. There will be a pavilion for oriental doctors, where visitors can have their health checked.

The Geumgang Ginseng Hall will display the process of growing the root, particularly in pots. The International Geumsan Ginseng Fair will sell ginseng flat rice cakes, ginseng cosmetics, ginseng chips, red ginseng and more, all at a discount. An additional room will be reserved for ginseng buyers and exporters.

At the healthcare pavilion, visitors can try out red ginseng foot baths, red ginseng face pack massages and herbal foot fomentation. Specialists will be there to provide consulting on diabetes, high blood pressure, stress and exercise. The ginseng cookery class will teach people how to slice, dry and draw out seeds from ginseng.

The most fun of this ginseng event will be harvesting ginseng straight from the field. This is especially popular among tourists because they get to collect mature ginseng of the freshest quality. Foreign tourists will also be delighted to hear some of the programs that normally charge admission are free for people from abroad.

Like all other big scale festivals there will be symposiums, sport events, a singing contest, folk performances and street shows.

While ginseng is usually boiled for hours to extract its medicinal properties in a liquid form, here are a few ways to eat ginseng like a snack. First you can eat it raw on the spot. Because metal utensils like knives are detrimental to ginseng's effects, it is commonly said that eating it uncut is the best way to maximize its power. The next alternative is to add honey before eating. Another way to boosts ginseng's effect is to slice it, add honey, keep it overnight to mellow somewhat, then put it in the mixer with milk or yogurt like a smoothie.

For your kids, take 50 grams of ginseng and about 500 milliliters of milk and put it in the mixer. The milk can be whichever flavor your children prefer: plain, chocolate or strawberry. Meanwhile, those with an overly high body temperature should try “susam” (unprocessed dried ginseng) by cutting the head part off, boiling it together with jujubes and drinking like tea.

Click to Geumsan Insam Event. For more information contact Geumsan County Office (041-750-2386) and for interpreting service call Korea Travel Phone 1330 (English, Chinese and Japanese).  

By Kim Hee-sung
Korea.net Staff Writer