Ginseng, the Divine Root: The Curious History of the Plant That Captivated the World
by David A. Taylor 
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Description
The story behind ginseng is as remarkable as the root itself. Prized for its legendary curative powers, ginseng launched the rise to power of China's last great dynasty; inspired battles between France and England; and sparked a boom in Minnesota comparable to the California Gold Rush. It has made and broken the fortunes of many and has inspired a subculture in rural America unrivaled by any herb in the plant kingdom. Today ginseng is at the very center of alternative medicine, believed to show more improve stamina, relieve stress, stimulate the immune system, enhance mental clarity, and restore well-being. It is now being studied by medical researchers for the treatment of cancer, diabetes, and Parkinson's disease. In Ginseng, the Divine Root, David Taylor tracks the path of this fascinating plant--from the forests east of the Mississippi to the bustling streets of Hong Kong and the remote corners of China. He becomes immersed in a world full of wheelers, dealers, diggers, and stealers, all with a common goal: to hunt down the elusive "Root of Life." Weaving together his intriguing adventures with ginseng's rich history, Taylor uncovers a story of international crime, ancient tradition, botany, herbal medicine, and the vagaries of human nature. [from publisher description]. show lessTags
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Member Reviews
Research heavy and a little light on actual style. Still interesting.
Well written and researched, rather journalistic, focusing on the history of the ginseng trade in the US (on its way to China). I wish there had been a little more about why the root is so sought after in East Asia, but the author wisely stays away from the question of what it's "medicinal" or even physiological effects are.
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"David Taylor has added a perfect chapter to the amazing saga of the Federal Writers' Project, with vivid portraits of some of the men and women who produced the American Guide series, an unmatched collective portrait of a people battered but not beaten by the Great Depression. Soul of a People should be mandatory reading as the storm clouds of show more hard times hover over us again." -Bernard Weisberger, editor of The WPA Guide to America show less
David A. Taylor is a LibraryThing Author, an author who lists their personal library on LibraryThing.
Awards and Honors
Common Knowledge
- Important places
- Lexington Avenue (New York, New York, USA); West Virginia, USA; Cherokee, North Carolina, USA; Wausau, Wisconsin, USA; Worcester, Massachusetts, USA; Hong Kong (show all 8); Puning, Guangdong, China; Nanjing, China
- Publisher's editor
- Antonia Fusco
- Blurbers
- Tsai, Ming; Holmes, Hannah
Classifications
- Genres
- Nonfiction, Science & Nature, History, General Nonfiction, Home & Garden, Health & Wellness
- DDC/MDS
- 615.32384 — Applied science & technology Medicine & health Pharmacology and therapeutics Organic drugs Drugs from plants and microorganisms
- LCC
- RS165 .G45 .T39 — Medicine Pharmacy and materia medica Pharmacy and materia medica Materia medica Pharmacognosy. Pharmaceutical substances (Plant,
- BISAC
Statistics
- Members
- 79
- Popularity
- 396,788
- Reviews
- 2
- Rating
- (3.60)
- Languages
- English
- Media
- Paper, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 2
- ASINs
- 2
