American Ginseng ~ Panax quinquefolius

American Ginseng

Latin name: Panax quinquefolius

Family: Araliaceae

Part used: root

Habitat: Eastern hardwood forests

Main constituents: saponin glycosides (ginsenosides), glycans, volatile oil

Energetics: sweet, slightly bitter

Main herbal actions: adaptogen, rejuvenative, general tonic, antispasmodic, nervine, supports nervous and endocrine systems, enhances metabolic activity in the brain

Minor herbal actions: antioxidant, antifatigue, anti-ulcer, demulcent, immune system stimulant

Main medicinal uses: enhances performance, stamina, and memory; general weakness, impotence, forgetfulness, chronic fatigue

Minor medicinal uses: cerebral ischemia, anemia, decreases susceptibility to illness, muscular tension, cough

Preparations: infusion: 1 tsp/cup water; tincture: 20-60 gtt 1-4x/day (tincture not traditional preparation- Khalsa)

Contraindications: concurrent use with phenelzine

Toxicity: relatively safe long-term

Sources: Sharol Tilgner, N.D.: Herbal Medicine from the Heart of the Earth; Wren, R.C. Potter’s New Cyclopaedia of Botanical Drugs and Preparations; http://www.herbalists.on.ca/resources/freeman/PANAXQUI.html

Class lecture notes October 24th, 2012

99% exported to Asia. Mostly from Wisconsin – grown as agri-business.

Grown Wild or semi wild in the forest from North Carolina.

Slide 57 shows a map of where ginseng has been found (not by density)

White Ginseng means not processed

Ginseng: Tonic for endurance, oxygen saturation, mood, fatigue, and blood sugar levels

Ginseng is the most widely used herb on the planet

TCM says American Ginseng (white) is cooling and Asian Ginseng (red) is warming.

In America, Ginseng is grown in the woods under natural conditions – semi wild or wild.

Woods growing starts are grown in the first year, then planted in the forest.

Prime of life is 7 years

Wild Manchurian Ginseng goes for $1,000/ounce

Not much fungicide in Ginseng anymore.

end of slide 87