Callerya speciosa
|
Callerya speciosa | |
| Order | Fabales |
|---|---|
| Family | Fabaceae |
| Genus | Callerya |
| Scientific name (Species) |
Callerya speciosa Champ. ex Benth. 1852 |
Callerya speciosa, belonging to the genus Callerya in the Fabaceae family, is a medicinal shrub plant native to southern China and northern Vietnam, and is distributed at 200–1700 m above sea level in open places and sparse woodlands. In Vietnam, it is popularly known as sâm nam núi Dành (southern ginseng of Mount Dành) despite its official Vietnamese name of cát sâm. Mount Dành is a mountain in Bắc Giang province, northern Vietnam.
Uses
Callerya speciosa is not a true ginseng (like Panax ginseng or its close relative) but its roots are consumed just like gingseng. The tuberous roots are used to make a tonic wine and as medicinal herb in traditional medicines. Mount Danh ginseng gained its popularity during the period of King Tự Đức, a king of Vietnam's Nguyen Dynasty. At that time, his mother became ill, leading to blindness in both eyes. She couldn't be cured in many places, but, thanks to the Mount Danh ginseng, her eyes regained the eyesight. Every year, Mount Danh ginseng is harvested and offered to the King.