Ginseng Market

The ginseng root, yellowish-gold in color and turnip-like in shape, belongs to the Araliaceae family (Panax ginseng). It is traditionally regarded as a universal remedy, but it has now become very rare, and as a result wild ginseng is now very expensive. Natural and artificial ginseng are considered to have homoeopathic prophylactic properties and are a popular aphrodisiac, particularly with the male Chinese population.

In Ko Shing Street, as well as finding ginseng on sale, an ailing person can purchase every conceivable form of natural medicine used in traditional Chinese medicine. Many shops, with little in common with western chemists, employ doctors who will make an on-the-spot diagnosis and prepare a suitable medicine from a