Ginseng, Chinese ginseng
Panax ginseng

Family: Araliaceae

What it is like

Panax ginseng is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.8 m (2ft 7in) by 0.7 m (2ft 4in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) or semi-shade (light woodland). It prefers moist soil.

Height (m): 0.8

Where it is found

Mountain forests.

E. Asia - China, Korea.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 2

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

Root: includes bulbs, corms, tubers, rhizomes etc.

Tea: the various herb teas that can be used in place of tea, plus the genuine article.

Medicine

Rating: 5

Ginseng has a history of herbal use going back over 5,000 years. 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. The root is adaptogen, alterative, carminative, demulcent, emetic, expectorant, stimulant and tonic. 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. It is used internally in the treatment of debility associated with old age or illness, lack of appetite, insomnia, stress, shock and chronic illness. 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. It is normally only taken for a period of 3 weeks. 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. The roots are harvested in the autumn, preferably from plants 6 - 7 years old, and can be used fresh or dried. A dose of 10ug/ml of ginseng saponins has been shown to be significantly radio-protective when it is administered prior to gamma-irradiation. The leaf is emetic and expectorant. The German Commission E Monographs, a therapeutic guide to herbal medicine, approve Panax ginseng for lack of stamina.

Adaptogen: Helps the body

Antianxiety: Helps relieve anxiety. See also Nervine and Sedative.

Anticholesterolemic: Prevents the build up of cholesterol.

Appetizer: Improves the appetite

Emetic: Induces vomiting.

Expectorant: Clears phlegm from the chest by inducing coughing.

Hypoglycaemic: Reduces the levels of sugar in the blood.

Nervine: Stimulates and calms the nerves.

Tonic: Improves general health. Slower acting than a stimulant, it brings steady improvement.

Other

Rating:

Food Forest: Plants for Edible Forest Gardens and Food Forests.

How it is grown

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

Propagating it: 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.

Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Shady Edge; not Deep Shade;

Habit: Perennial

Hardiness: 5-9

Growth:

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: Full shade, semi-shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Side effects include inability to fall asleep, increase in heart rate and blood pressure. Overuse or prolonged use may cause over stimulation (diarrhoea, nervousness, skin eruption). Caution with other stimulants needed. Avoid in patients with psychosis and manic disorders. Not recommended during pregnancy and breast feeding .

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Aralia ginseng. Panax chin-seng. Panax verus.