Back to main Search Page

Panax ginseng - C.A.Mey.

Ginseng

Author	C.A.Mey.	Botanical references	200
Family	Araliaceae	Genus	Panax
Synonyms	Panax schinseng - T.Nees.
Known Hazards	None known
Range	E. Asia - China, Korea.
Habitat	Mountain forests[165, 178].
Edibility Rating	2 (1-5)	Medicinal Rating	5 (1-5)

Physical Characteristics

Perennial growing to 0.8m by 0.7m.

The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) or semi-shade (light woodland). It requires moist soil.

Habitats

Woodland Garden; Shady Edge; Deep Shade;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Root.

Edible Uses: Tea.

Root - chewed. This probably refers to its medicinal uses. A tea is made from the root.

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.

Adaptogen; Anticholesterolemic; Emetic; Expectorant; Hypoglycaemic; Nervine; Tonic.

Ginseng has a history of herbal use going back over 5,000 years[238]. It is one of the most highly regarded of herbal medicines in the Orient, where it has gained an almost magical reputation for being able to promote health, general body vigour and also to prolong life[218]. The root is adaptogen, alterative, carminative, demulcent, emetic, expectorant, stimulant and tonic[165, 176, 178, 218]. It both stimulates and relaxes the nervous system, encourages the secretion of hormones, improves stamina, lowers blood sugar and cholesterol levels and increases resistance to disease[238]. It is used internally in the treatment of debility associated with old age or illness, lack of appetite, insomnia, stress, shock and chronic illness[238]. Ginseng is not normally prescribed for pregnant women, or for patients under the age of 40, or those with depression, acute anxiety or acute inflammatory disease[238]. It is normally only taken for a period of 3 weeks[238]. Excess can cause headaches, restlessness, raised blood pressure and other side effects, especially if it is taken with caffeine, alcohol, turnips and bitter or spicy foods[238]. The roots are harvested in the autumn, preferably from plants 6 - 7 years old, and can be used fresh or dried[238]. A dose of 10ug/ml of ginseng saponins has been shown to be significantly radio-protective when it is administered prior to gamma-irradiation[218]. The leaf is emetic and expectorant[218].

Other Uses

None known

Cultivation details

Requires a moist humus rich soil in a shady position in a woodland[200]. Ginseng is widely cultivated and also collected from the wild in the Orient for its root which is commonly used as a medicine[178]. The root is prepared in a number of different ways, including by steaming it for 4 hours in wicker baskets over boiling water[200].

Propagation

Seed - sow in a shady position in a cold frame preferably as soon as it is ripe, otherwise as soon as the seed is obtained. It can be very slow and erratic to germinate. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in a shady position in the greenhouse or frame for at least their first winter. Make sure the pots are deep enough to accommodate the roots. Plant out into their permanent positions in late summer. Division in spring.

Links

References

[165] Mills. S. Y. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism. 0
An excellent small herbal.

[176] Yeung. Him-Che. Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas. Institute of Chinese Medicine, Los Angeles 1985
An excellent Chinese herbal giving information on over 500 species. Rather technical and probably best suited to the more accomplished user of herbs.

[178] Stuart. Rev. G. A. Chinese Materia Medica. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre 0
A translation of an ancient Chinese herbal. Fascinating.

[200] Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.

[218] Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985 ISBN 0-917256-20-4
Details of over 1,200 medicinal plants of China and brief details of their uses. Often includes an analysis, or at least a list of constituents. Heavy going if you are not into the subject.

[238] Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995 ISBN 0-7513-020-31
A very well presented and informative book on herbs from around the globe. Plenty in it for both the casual reader and the serious student. Just one main quibble is the silly way of having two separate entries for each plant.

Readers Comments

Plants for a Future does not verify the accuracy of reader comments, use at your own risk. In particular Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. You should always consult a professional before using plants medicinally.

Panax ginseng

Jackline Wed May 16 2007

I am 36 years old, my fried told me bout Gingsomin and I felt great after using it. Should I stop, what are the dangersfor those below 40 years of age? Thank you.

Panax ginseng

Ken Fern, Plants for a Future Wed May 16 2007

There are no dangers to using this herb when you are below the age of 40 years. The tradition in China is that it is viewed mainly as a herb for the elderly and other forms, such as Siberian Ginseng (Eleutherococcus scenticosus) are preferred for younger people. In the West, however, ginseng tends to be used quite widely by younger people. If using it makes you feel good, then carry on using it.

Panax ginseng

knut knudsen Tue Jun 26 2007

i had hepatit c,and then i start taking ginseng ,and 2 hours exersize 6 times a weekNow i,m healty.

Panax ginseng

katie ohlde Mon Aug 13 2007

I am pregnant and taking a protein shake that contains 50mg of ginseng. Are there dangers in this dosage?

Panax ginseng

z seneto Tue Aug 14 2007

I am currently taking red Korean Gingsen. I have bbeen experiencing some severe headaches, could hat be the cause? Taking 3mg twice a day

Panax ginseng

joanna scrivens Tue Sep 4 2007

Hi my husband is 33 and has been given wei-tai 999 granuals and ginseng, now he has really bad stomach acid ,anxiety and is a little depressed , this is all because he cant relax and sleep at night, now should he be taking the ginseng as this promots energy, thanks Joanna.x

Panax ginseng

Scott Sat Sep 29 2007

I've been taking fresh but dried Ginseng Root from the woods, and I love it, I nibble on a piece of root two times a day from where I found it in the woods. I've also been taking the capsules of Korean Ginseng too w/ the picked woods type. I'm 52 and I'm looking for the vitality effect. Other than that we're headed into the winter, and I'll have to just wait till next year to get some more fresh.I'll never forget going through San Franciso Chinatown and seeing the root under glass in the Chinese shops. One root was $550.00

My website Just my URL

Panax ginseng

Sat Nov 3 2007

does the ginseng bottled herb have the same effect as the root and if so what mg. or doesage is recommended+

Panax ginseng

ethnoplants Tue Nov 25 2008

If you want to buy ginsneg panax seeds, there are in ethnoplants

ethnoplants Panax ginseng seeds

Panax ginseng

Oliver Makin-Mabe Fri Mar 27 2009

Dear comment Box, My girl friend is 38 and takes 5 Panax Ginseng a day.This is something she has done for years. I am 43, obviously she thinks its good and encourages me to take it also.I don't no if it has anything to do with Ginseng but I ended up in hospital having zillions of tests due to collapsing. OK, so what, except I am an outdoor person and probably fitter than most 24 year old's. My Girl friend to me appears to be tired way to much.

Panax ginseng

david n Sat Mar 28 2009

Oliver, as indicated under Medicinal uses above Ginseng is usually only taken for 3 weeks, I don't know how long the break should be before starting again but it is presumably quite a while.

Panax ginseng

Wed Apr 15 2009

in reply to oliver makin mabe, yes he collapsed and ended up in hospital when i was his girlfriend, clearly running off to korea with miss saigon, trying to be the perfect boyfriend, keeping up the facade, and now trying to "24 again" clearly isnt doing your health any good, i forgot you cant think for youself, oh dear and shes tired all the time perhaphs you shouldnt have been so quick to throw in the younger fitter, sexier, stamina that went on for ever model that never got tired, and im only on one sainsburys ginsing tablet a day.. ah! Love and kisses jingle xxxxxxxxxxxx

Panax ginseng

Wed Apr 15 2009

p.s yes oliver your garden is so perfect? is that why you are up on your wives birthday because you cant sleep, writing your blog, to prove a point...job stisfaction irrelevant..oh dear i should try taking more of that ginsing ;-)

Panax ginseng

Carol-lee Fisher Fri Jan 8 2010

I am teaching an up comming herb class and am looking for 8 ounces dried panax ginseng

Panax ginseng

Thiruvelan Sun Jan 10 2010

Ginseng Diabetes | Ginseng benefits Ginseng a magical herb trusted over 5000 year for its ability to promote vigor, nourish nervous system, enhances hormonal secretion, lower blood sugar & cholesterol and increases immunity.

Add a comment/link:

Discussion Monitor

To have posts to this page mailed to you enter your email address here:

(Your email address will not appear on the webpage or be passed on to third parties).