Practical
Plants

Panax pseudoginseng

a perennial member of the Panax genus in the family Araliaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Genus
Panax
Life cycle
perennial
Growth rate
slow
Height
1 m
Spread
0.7 m
Flower type
hermaphrodite

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Young leaves and shoots - cooked as a vegetable[5]. The roots are chewed, used as a flavouring in liqueurs or made into a tea[2].

Product or use
Drink
Product or use
Tea
Plant part
Leaves

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The roots and the flowers are antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, aphrodisiac, cardiotonic, diuretic, expectorant, haemostatic, hypoglycaemic and stimulant[1][4][5]. The root is used internally in the treatment of indigestion, vomiting, coronary heart disease and angina[4][5]. The roots are also used both internally and externally in the treatment of nosebleeds, haemorrhages from the lungs, digestive tract and uterus, and injuries[4]. The roots are harvested in the autumn, preferably from plants 6 - 7 years old, and can be used fresh or dried[4]. The flowers are used to treat vertigo and dizziness[4].

Product or use
Antibacterial
Product or use
Antiinflammatory
Product or use
Antiseptic
Product or use
Cardiotonic
Product or use
Diuretic
Product or use
Haemostatic
Product or use
Hypoglycaemic
Product or use
Aphrodisiac
Product or use
Expectorant
Product or use
Stimulant

Environment

Range
E. Asia - China to the Himalayas and Burma.
Habitat
Forests and shrubberies, 2100 - 4300 metres in C. Nepal in the Himalayas[6]. Moist shady places at elevations of 2000 - 3300 metres in Nepal[5].
Light
partial sun
Shade tolerance
permanent shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 6+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

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.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Requires a moist humus rich soil in a shady position in a woodland[3]. Plants are hardy to at least -15°c[4]. Nomenclature of this genus is rather confused with some botanists recognising P. ginseng as a variable plant that includes this species. Other botanists divide it into 4 or even 5 distinct species, giving this plant specific status. This plant has been grossly over-collected from the wild for its use as a medicinal plant and it is rapidly approaching extinction in most parts of its range[4]. The sub-species P. pseudo-ginseng notoginseng. (Burkill.)Hoo.&Tseng. is the form used medicinally in China[1], this plant is given a separate entry in this database[K].

References

  1. Yeung. Him-Che. Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas. Institute of Chinese Medicine, Los Angeles 1985-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  2. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩

  3. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩

  4. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7

  5. Manandhar. N. P. Plants and People of Nepal Timber Press. Oregon. 2002-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-527-6

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  6. Polunin. O. and Stainton. A. Flowers of the Himalayas. Oxford Universtiy Press 1984-00-00

    ↩

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