Why is Polyscias fruticosa leaf considered 'poor man's ginseng'?

Dubbed 'poor man's ginseng', does affordable galangal leaf have the same health benefits as expensive ginseng?

Polyscias fruticosa leaves - Photo: THANH PHUONG

Ms. PKL, 59 years old, living in Go Vap District, Ho Chi Minh City, said that when she was young, she lived in a rural area in the North. In front of her house, there were many ginseng trees, the trees were almost as tall as a person.

Her mother often took the leaves of the ginseng plant to eat raw or dried them to make tea to drink. Everyone in Mrs. L's family is in good health and considers the ginseng plant as a precious ginseng in the house. Now that she has moved to Ho Chi Minh City, she still grows the ginseng plant on the rooftop to eat raw or drink as usual.

Replace ginseng with a cheap leaf

"The most outstanding feature of Polyscias fruticosa leaves is that they are cheap, easy to use and safe. While ginseng costs from several million to tens of millions of VND/kg, Polyscias fruticosa only costs a few tens of thousands of VND for a bunch of fresh leaves or a package of dried leaves. This is why people call Polyscias fruticosa the poor man's ginseng," explained Dr. Ngo Thi Bach Yen, head of the skin care and treatment unit, examination department of the Ho Chi Minh City Hospital of Traditional Medicine.

According to Dr. Yen, in the treasure trove of traditional Vietnamese medicine, the Polyscias fruticosa plant is considered a precious medicine, especially the leaves, which are commonly used by people as a type of "popular ginseng".

It is no coincidence that ginseng is called "poor man's ginseng", it is a combination of high medicinal value and popularity and easy accessibility.

Polyscias fruticosa leaves belong to the Araliaceae family - the same family as ginseng (Panax ginseng). The plant is widely grown throughout the three regions of Vietnam, and is easy to grow without requiring special care. People often pick fresh leaves to cook soup, make medicine, or dry them for later use.

The easy-to-grow, cheap, yet beneficial characteristics make ginseng a "friend" of folk medicine, especially in rural areas where medical care conditions are limited.

Polyscias fruticosa contains saponins like ginseng.

Many modern medical studies have confirmed the value of ginseng. Research by the Institute of Medicinal Materials ( Ministry of Health of Vietnam) shows that ginseng roots and leaves contain triterpenoid saponins - an important group of biological active substances, similar to those in ginseng. Saponins have effects such as increasing resistance, nourishing the nervous system, anti-oxidation, improving memory and liver function.

In addition, ginseng also contains 17 types of amino acids, including essential amino acids such as lysine, methionine, cysteine... Vitamins B1, B6, C, beneficial for the nervous system and immune system, flavonoids and alkaloids help fight inflammation and bacteria.

The Vietnam Journal of Experimental and Clinical Medicine (2020) published test results showing that extracts from Polyscias fruticosa leaves have the ability to enhance memory and reduce anxiety in experimental mouse models.

From the perspective of combined Eastern and Western medicine, Polyscias fruticosa leaves have the main uses such as replenishing blood and preventing weakness. Can be used for people who have just recovered from illness, women after giving birth, the elderly; detoxifying, diuretic, helping to detoxify the liver, promoting bile, supporting the treatment of itching and hives. Drinking Polyscias fruticosa leaf water helps to sleep deeply, reduce stress. Long-term use helps to improve physical strength and prevent fatigue.

"There is no need to spend a lot of money on expensive supplements. Polyscias fruticosa leaves - "poor man's ginseng" - is a testament to the ingenuity and millennial experience of Vietnamese people in using plants around them to maintain health," affirmed Dr. Bach Yen.

Suggestions for effective use of Polyscias fruticosa leaves

• Boil water to drink: 10-20g dried leaves, boil with 1 liter of water to drink during the day.

• Make tea: Dry leaves are roasted until golden brown, then brewed like tea to drink daily.

• Cooking: Use as a spice in soups, porridge, and stir-fried eggs.

• Soak in alcohol: Soak ginseng leaves or roots in alcohol to increase vitality (need appropriate dosage).

Notes for daily use:

• Do not overdose: Overuse can cause fatigue, dizziness, and low blood pressure due to saponin activity.

• People with low blood pressure should be careful, use small doses or every other day.

• Should not be used continuously for more than 1 month: After 3-4 weeks, should rest for a few days or 1 week and then use again.

• Pregnant women should consult a doctor before use.

Suggested safe dosage:

• Dried leaves: 10-15g/day, boil with 1 liter of water.

• Fresh leaves: 30-40g/day.

• Drink like filtered water during the day, do not drink completely instead of filtered water.

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THUY DUONG

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/la-dinh-lang-duoc-coi-la-sam-cua-nguoi-ngheo-vi-sao-20250504085758723.htm