Featured Plant of February

By Abby Miranda

This is the month of love. February 14th is Valentine's Day. So, you're thinking roses, right? Not? I am thinking of something a little hotter, something a little spicier. I am thinking of ginseng! That's right, ginseng. According to William Byrd of the 1600's, it "frisks the spirits". Many have long considered ginseng an aphrodisiac and that is because it is a stimulant. It inspires confidence in the mind, love in the spirit and lust in the body. Ginseng is a masculine plant with the sun as its ruling planet and fire as its element, so you can imagine the potency it has. In Scott Cunningham's book "Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs", he says that ginseng's root carried can attract love and ensure sexual potency. He also says that ginseng will bring beauty to those who carry it. Drinking ginseng tea is a "powerful lust inducing drink." Also, it is reputed to fight viruses, boost immunity, reduce cholesterol, treat colds, ease depression, and shrink tumors as well as increase fertility and desire. I did some research on growing ginseng and it sounds very hard, but not impossible. This is what makes ginseng expensive and it is in high demand here and in China. Also, there has been a lot of over-harvesting here, so it has become endangered. There is an American version called Panax Quinquefolius and if you can grow this, not only will it increase your desire, but your wallet, too. I used to buy the ginseng gum they sold at the green grocers in the city and it used to make my tongue tingle. Needless to say, I like chewing that gum a lot!