Where and When Was Ngọc Linh Ginseng Discovered?
One morning in mid-March 1973, at an altitude of approximately 1,800 m in the Ngọc Linh Range, the Region 5 medicinal plant survey team encountered a species of ginseng that had never previously been scientifically documented in this area. That milestone marked the beginning of its journey from an indigenous medicinal plant used by the Xơ Đăng people to a species bearing the scientific name Panax vietnamensis, also known as Ngọc Linh ginseng.
Where Was Ngọc Linh Ginseng Discovered?
According to pharmacist Đào Kim Long’s account published by a government agency, the first plant was found by the team on Ngọc Linh Mountain at 9 a.m. on March 19, 1973. The Ngọc Linh Range lies along what is now the border between Quảng Nam and Kon Tum.
The place name Ngọc Linh therefore became the common name for this ginseng species. This name has helped distinguish Ngọc Linh ginseng from other types of ginseng in commerce.
When Was Ngọc Linh Ginseng Discovered?
The date most frequently cited in official documents is March 19, 1973. Earlier, in 1970, pharmacist Đào Kim Long had been assigned to survey medicinal plants in the Central Vietnam battlefield. Finding a plant belonging to the genus Panax at approximately 15 degrees latitude was scientifically significant because it expanded the understanding at the time of the distribution range of this ginseng.
From Field Discovery to Scientific Naming
“Discovered” and “scientifically identified” refer to two different milestones. Following a period of surveys and research, this ginseng species was published under the name Panax vietnamensis Ha et Grushv. in 1985. International botanical nomenclature databases record the species name and its authors as published in 1985.
Who Discovered Ngọc Linh Ginseng?
The Region 5 Civilian Medical Service’s medicinal plant survey team, led by pharmacist Đào Kim Long, is recognized as the group that found this ginseng species during the 1973 survey. However, the Xơ Đăng people had already known and used the plant, calling it locally “củ ngải rọm con” or “thuốc giấu,” implying that it was a secret traditional remedy kept and protected like a treasure of the mountains and forests. Therefore, the most accurate way to describe the event is that the survey team brought the plant into the scientific research record, rather than suggesting that local ethnic communities had never known of it.
How to Verify Reliable Information About Ngọc Linh Ginseng
When reading an introductory article, cross-check at least three points: the full scientific name, the location associated with the Ngọc Linh Range, and the clear distinction between its discovery in 1973 and its scientific identification in 1985. For commercial products, you should also verify the origin of the product batch and quality documentation rather than relying solely on the historical narrative.
Image of a Ngọc Linh ginseng plantation
Conclusion
Ngọc Linh ginseng was found by the Region 5 medicinal plant survey team in the Ngọc Linh Range on March 19, 1973, at an altitude of approximately 1,800 m. The species was subsequently scientifically published under the name Panax vietnamensis in 1985. These two milestones should always be presented together to ensure that the story is both engaging and accurate. If you would like to learn more, continue reading the article “In Which Areas Does Ngọc Linh Ginseng Grow Naturally?” on our website to distinguish the species’ natural habitat from areas where it is currently being cultivated or trialed.
Safety Notice
The information in this article is intended for educational and historical identification purposes and is not a substitute for medical advice. Health supplements or functional foods containing Ngọc Linh ginseng are not medicines and cannot replace medicines used to treat diseases.