Monday 18 January 2016

Growing Jawa Ginseng In My Garden.

Many years ago, I saw these plants in my friend's garden and I was told that they were edible and have medical value. I weren't paying much attention to the health benefits but I remembered that the leaves and little pink flowers were very pretty.
Sometime last year I noticed a few small plants of the same kind growing in one of my large flower pot and also on the ground near the flower pot. I decided to let it grow because I wanted to find out more about the plants.
I waited for them to grow and took some snapshots. I then posted the photos on Facebook's gardening groups and that was how I got the identification of these plants.
Some of the common names of these plants are Jewel of Opar, Flame Flower, Pink Baby's Breath, Jawa Ginseng, etc. Its scientific name is Talinum Paniculatum.
It is a fleshy, succulent plant or herb.
The leaves are fleshy. They are also glossy and bright light green.
The flowers are small and pink.
They grow easily and are considered by many as weeds.
The young and tender leaves and shoots can be harvested and eaten as vegetable, They can be eaten raw as salad. They can also be cooked as stir fry or in soup. I have heard that the leaves and shoots are being sold in some supermarkets but I have not seen with my own eyes.
This plant has been growing in the large pot.
I like the flowers. I didn't pluck or eat the leaves or shoots. I just want to know more about the plant.
The seeds are self-sowing. That's how they were brought to my garden - by the wind, birds, or insects.
I was also told to wait for over a year before harvesting the roots and that the roots will look like ginseng roots.
I can't remember how old this plant was but I noticed the leaves were yellowing and thinning.
I tried pulling up the whole plant but the stems break easily, so I have to dug out the roots.
I think my plant was not old enough as the roots were still small in size.
But they do look like ginseng roots.
I was told that the roots will taste like ginseng roots. To boil soup - slice the roots and boil with black chicken, red dates and goji berries. It is claimed that the plants when consumed, benefit breastfeeding mothers. So far I have not tasted or eaten the leaves or the roots.
If you are interested to know more about the health benefits of Ginseng and how it helps in weight loss, you can check it out here at nutriinspector.com. This site presents a comprehensive article on the complete history, sharing of the benefits, nutrition, side effects and how to use ginseng.
Happy reading!

Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy;
without holiness no one will see the Lord.
See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and
that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.
(Hebrews 12:14-15, NIV)

69 comments:

  1. Great idea to plant them because they have medical values

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    1. Thank you, Gosia. Next round I may have the confident to eat them. Have a beautiful day!

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    2. Thank you for sharing your blog. Ginseng is a widely used for health benefits.

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  2. What did you do with the roots after you have dug them out since you did not cook and eat them?

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    1. Hi Mun, oh I didn't know what to do with the roots since they were too young. I discarded them. There are now many smaller plants which I will replant them. Hopefully, I will harvest and use the leaves and roots for cooking.

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  3. Nancy, it's a pretty plant. I like the pink flowers very much!

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    1. Thank you, Phong Hong. I was thinking to myself that for the pink flowers I do not mind having them in my garden. Have a lovely day!

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  4. Alice from MGs told me that it is good for breastfeeding mothers...produces more milk for babies :)

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    1. Ha ha...Elin, we both won't need this any more la...Have a fantastic day!

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  5. Erm the roots look like... roots. Pink flowers sure are pretty though.

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    1. Hi Stacy, ha ha yes they look like roots but they are fatter roots. I was told the roots taste like ginseng...have to try first to know if it is true.

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  6. I have never seen those plants here...so beautiful!
    Have a great week, Nancy!
    Angie

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  7. You have such a vast knowledge of plant life.

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    1. Thank you, Mamas. I am learning a lot from the gardening groups that I have joined. Have a wonderful day!

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    2. Good vegitable, I know it as water leaf

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  8. Fotografias fantásticas uma maravilha.
    Um abraço e boa semana.

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  9. I like the beautiful pink flower. Owh, my 1st time seeing this plant & the roots really looks like ginseng. Learning new thing again tody.

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    1. Thank you, Irene. I am also learning a lot of new things about plants. Have a great day!

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  10. you certainly can grow some interesting things

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    1. Thank you, Tom. The plants found their way into my garden. Have a great day!

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  11. Interesting plant. Leaves like herbs, flowers are small and roots are ginseng. Never seen it before.

    I love ginseng and usually cook with chicken. Sometimes add red dates, wolfberries or salted mustards to the soup.

    Thanks for sharing, Nancy. Will sure look out for this plant.

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    1. I am taking more interest in this plant. Learning to appreciate natural herb in my garden.

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  12. Always some interesting plants growing in your garden. Pretty little flowers. You could try biting on one small leaf to see how they taste.
    Have a great day.
    Hugs.
    JB

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    1. Thank you, Julia. That is a good suggestion, I never thought of it. I will definitely take a bite when the smaller plants grow bigger.

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  13. Yes, dare to try? Very poe if can drink, no need to buy from outside.. :)

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    1. Hi Claire, since I get a lot of feedback and assurance from the gardening sifu, I think I dare to try....can also use as veggie.

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  14. Hello Nancy, I seem to have trouble commenting. I love the pretty color and flowers. The ginseng plant has wonderful medicine benefits. Happy Monday, enjoy your new week!

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    1. Thank you, Eileen. Happy Monday to you too!

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    2. This plant and ginseng the same?

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  15. Replies
    1. Hi Sharon, I think many people growing this plants for their health benefits. Happy Tuesday to you!

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  16. I hope you get the next batch to grow right. You do have an amazing green thumb. I didn't know about this plant either. You've taught me so much about different plants.

    Have a fabulous day Nancy. ☺

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    1. Thank you, Sandee. I do hope the next batch will be healthy for me to harvest as a veggie for the table. I am also learning from the gardening group and I am happy to share in my blog. Have a fabulous day too!

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  17. The little pink blossom is very pretty! Good to know that it is medicinal too!

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    1. Thank you, Christine. I can grow it for its pink blossom and as a veggie too. Have a happy Tuesday!

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  18. Interesting little plant. The flowers are lovely!

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  19. It is a beautiful plant, I love the flowers!

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  20. I've seen ginseng roots for sale in health stores and those definitely look like what I saw. I'd want to ask an expert before I ate them though, just in case ...

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    1. Thank you, Sallie. I am also getting more confirmation just to be sure before I start eating them. Have a wonderful Tuesday!

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  21. wow, I did not know Ginseng was that beautiful. Love the flowers :)

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    1. Thank you, dear. This is the Jawa Ginseng, not the ginseng sold in the Chinese medical store. Have a happy Tuesday!

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  22. This plant has a nice leaves and very pretty flowers and grief that I could eat it. Regards.

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  23. Hi Nancy! I have that same plant in my garden! Our mother told me it can be used for cooking. We're raising goats and I usually pick all stems when were visiting them, they love it. They would usually grow back. Now I know what it's called. Thank you!

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    1. Thank you, Lei for you confirmation. Glad to hear that it can be eaten. Waiting for the young plants to grow to harvest them. Have a beautiful Tuesday!

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  24. Hi Nancy, hopefully you could have good harvest next time to cook some ginseng soup.

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    1. Thank you, Karen. I hope the new plants will grow healthily for a good harvest. Have a wonderful Tuesday!

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  25. Is this the same plant that is very popular in Korea as a health elixir?

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    1. Oh! I didn't know about that. I will have to check it out and see whether it is the same one. This is news to me.

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  26. Hi Nancy,

    This is amazing! This beautiful plant has came to find you! You must be a very lucky person! :D

    Zoe

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    1. Ha ha yes, Zoe! There are some plants that just find their way into my garden. Have a fabulous Tuesday!

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  27. Hi Nancy, what a beautiful plant. Thank you for sharing the info on it. It is gorgeous in your garden. Have a nice week. xo

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  28. it is beautiful, but I think you are wise to hold off eating it till you know for sure. The plant does not look anything like ginseng...I have dug and hunted it all my life. There are pictures of it on my blog. I don't have any photos on there of the roots...these roots do resemble the real thing.

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    1. Thank you, Rose. I agree we have to be very careful before consuming our garden plants. This is not the actual ginseng plant. The roots just look like ginseng only. I have received many feedback that it is safe to consume them. Have a happy Tuesday!

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  29. Beautiful plants and the flowers are even better!! It amaze me how well you care for your plants! You really know how to grow beautiful things!

    Tanya
    www.StripesNVibes.com
    BlogLovin

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    1. Thank you, Tanya. I am very happy for these new plants in my garden. Have a beautiful Tuesday!

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  30. You are correct. The flowers look beautiful. Aside from beauty, it has medicinal benefits. I want it in our garden.

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    1. Thank you, Ishmael. I hope these plants will find their way into your garden also. Have a beautiful week!

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  31. Wow- I LOVE seeing the green growth of plants right now. I think I have had enough of winter-time for spring. Thanks for sharing!

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    1. Thank you, Erika. The days over here are getting hotter. I am looking forward to enjoy spring with you.

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  32. I have tried fry it for second time. Its okay for me but not sweet like the rest of the vege. It's a bit of slime texture on the shoots which is good. Have not tried easting as salad maybe next time. Everyone should have a pot of this Jawa Ginseng, it's a beautiful vegetable plant with nice flowers.

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