Mr. Liu is a man from Hunan, China, who accidentally discovered a strange object while digging for herbs in the mountains. What he found initially appeared to be a black stone. Curious, he decided to excavate it further.
Mr. Liu brought the object home and invited others to come and see. The mysterious item was black, had roots, and felt both hard and soft when pressed. There was no doubt that it was a type of plant, but from any angle, they could not determine what it was. Consequently, the man sent the unusual specimen to the local Traditional Medicine Administration for identification.
The strange object that the man found is actually Oling ginseng. (Photo: Kknews).
After some time of research, experts finally revealed the answer. It turned out that what Mr. Liu had dug up was Oling ginseng, a type of herb known for its numerous health benefits. Specifically, Oling ginseng is a rare fungus scientifically named Xylaria nigripes (Klotzsch) Cooke.This fungus typically grows in abandoned termite mounds, deep underground, and is very rarely encountered.
According to scientists, Oling ginseng has a distinct appearance compared to regular ginseng; it is oval-shaped, black, with white flesh inside, with an average diameter of 1cm – 7cm and a length ranging from 4cm – 10cm, featuring large mushroom caps that can be as big as a hand. Oling ginseng has a slightly sweet taste, a fragrant aroma, and a neutral nature.
Oling ginseng is actually a rare fungus. (Photo: Kknews).
Globally, this type of ginseng is found in China, South Korea, and other regions. In China, Oling ginseng is regarded as an extremely rare and valuable herb.
Previously, doctors at the Neurology Department of Zhongshan Hospital in Shanghai used Oling ginseng to treat depression in 104 patients over a 12-week period. They divided the patients into two groups: group one received treatment with extracts from Oling ginseng, while group two was treated with conventional pharmaceuticals. After 12 weeks, results showed that group one had an effectiveness rate of 51.3%, while group two only achieved 35.7%.
The research from Zhongshan Hospital also demonstrated that extracts from Oling ginseng could significantly improve memory impairment caused by sleep deprivation. Additionally, Oling ginseng has protective effects and helps to limit liver damage.
Experts consider Oling ginseng to be a herb that can cure many diseases. (Photo: Kknews).
Moreover, Oling ginseng contains many trace elements such as polysaccharides, proteins, iron, manganese, and selenium. The selenium compound can inhibit cancer cells and has anti-cancer properties.
In addition, vitamins, calcium, phosphorus, ribonic acid, and other essential amino acids can treat symptoms of stomach diseases, lower high blood pressure, assist in burn treatment, control bleeding, and improve kidney health.
After hearing the news, Mr. Liu was so excited that he couldn’t sleep, having discovered such a rare treasure. He felt incredibly fortunate not to have missed the opportunity for financial gain.