Panax quinquefolius

Taxonomy and growth

Family

Araliaceae

Genus

Panax

Life cycle

perennial

Growth rate

slow

Height

0.3 m

Spread

0.5 m

Flower type

hermaphrodite

Uses

Edible uses

A tea is made from the leaves and the roots^[1][6][8]. The aromatic root is candied and used as a masticatory^[8].

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 N. American species of ginseng is said to have similar properties to the Oriental ginseng, P. ginseng, though it is said to have a milder action and is more likely to be prescribed for younger patients^[15][16]. It is cultivated in some areas of America as a medicinal crop and is also often harvested from the wild^[15].The root is said to be adaptogen, cardiotonic, demulcent, panacea, sedative, sialagogue, stimulant and stomachic^{[12][17][20][3][4][5][14]}. It is used in the treatment of chronic cough, low-grade fever, spontaneous or night sweating and fatigue due to chronic consumptive disease^[5]. When taken over an extended period it is said to increase mental efficiency and physical performance whilst helping the body adapt to high or low temperatures and stress^[14]. Some caution is advised, though, because large doses are said to raise blood pressure^[14]. The root is harvested in the autumn and dried for later use^[16]. The following notes are the list of uses for P. ginseng. Ginseng has a history of herbal use going back over 5,000 years^[15]. 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^[13]. The root is adaptogen, alterative, carminative, demulcent, emetic, expectorant, stimulant and tonic^{[4][5][7][13]}. 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^[15]. It is used internally in the treatment of debility associated with old age or illness, lack of appetite, insomnia, stress, shock and chronic illness^[15]. 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^[15]. It is normally only taken for a period of 3 weeks^[15]. 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^[15]. The roots are harvested in the autumn, preferably from plants 6 - 7 years old, and can be used fresh or dried^[15]. A dose of 10ug/ml of ginseng saponins has been shown to be significantly radio-protective when it is administered prior to gamma-irradiation^[13]. The leaf is emetic and expectorant^[13].

Environment

Range

Eastern N. America - Maine to Georgia, west to Oklahoma and Minnesota.

Habitat

Rich cool woods^[19].

Light

partial sun

Shade tolerance

permanent shade

Water

moderate

Hardiness

Zone 3+

Soil textures

sandy, loamy, clay

Soil pH

acid, neutral, alkaline

Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil

No

Drought

intolerant

Propagation

Cultivation

Requires a deep moist humus rich soil in a shady position in a woodland^[10]. Requires deep shade, growing well on north-facing slopes and in woodland^[18][2][9]. Often grown as a medicinal plant^[18][21], though considered to be inferior to Korean ginseng, P. ginseng^[10]. It is exported from N. America, mainly to Hong Kong^[11].

Related plants

• Panax ginsengGinseng
• Panax japonicusJapanese Ginseng
• Panax pseudoginseng
• Panax pseudoginseng notoginsengSan Qi

References

1. Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00

   ↩

2. Holtom. J. and Hylton. W. Complete Guide to Herbs. Rodale Press 1979-00-00 ISBN 0-87857-262-7

   ↩

3. ? A Barefoot Doctors Manual. Running Press ISBN 0-914294-92-X

   ↩

4. Mills. S. Y. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism.

   ↩1↩2

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

   ↩1↩2↩3

6. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169

   ↩

7. Stuart. Rev. G. A. Chinese Materia Medica. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre

   ↩

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

   ↩1↩2

9. Riotte. L. Companion Planting for Successful Gardening. Garden Way, Vermont, USA. 1978-00-00 ISBN 0-88266-064-0

   ↩

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

    ↩1↩2

11. Coffey. T. The History and Folklore of North American Wild Flowers. Facts on File. 1993-00-00 ISBN 0-8160-2624-6

    ↩

12. Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-553-23827-2

    ↩

13. Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-917256-20-4

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

14. Foster. S. & Duke. J. A. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America. Houghton Mifflin Co. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0395467225

    ↩1↩2↩3

15. 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↩8↩9

16. Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London 1996-00-00 ISBN 9-780751-303148

    ↩1↩2

17. The Herb Society Herbal Review. Vol.11. 4. The Herb Society 1986-00-00 ISBN 0264-9853

    ↩

18. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

    ↩1↩2

19. Fernald. M. L. Gray's Manual of Botany. American Book Co. 1950-00-00

    ↩

20. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00

    ↩

21. Schery. R. W. Plants for Man.

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