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Panax ginseng
  • Ginseng

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

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Niche
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    The ecosystem niches for this plant are unknown. Do you know them? Click the edit button to add them!
Functions
  • None
    None
    There are no functions defined for this plant. Do you know of some? Click the edit button to add them!
Light
  • Partial sun
    Partial sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • permanent shade
    Permanent shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral,alkaline
    Unknown
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Clay
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 6
    Zone 6
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Panax ginseng has 0 edible uses listed
Panax ginseng has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Edible uses

Notes

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

Root

Unknown use

Unknown part

Tea

Material uses

There are no material uses listed for Panax ginseng.

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

Ginseng has a history of herbal use going back over 5,000 years[1]. 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[2].

The root is adaptogen, alterative, carminative, demulcent, emetic, expectorant, stimulant and tonic[3][4][5][2]. 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[1]. It is used internally in the treatment of debility associated with old age or illness, lack of appetite, insomnia, stress, shock and chronic illness[1]. 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[1]. It is normally only taken for a period of 3 weeks[1]. 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[1]. The roots are harvested in the autumn, preferably from plants 6 - 7 years old, and can be used fresh or dried[1]. A dose of 10ug/ml of ginseng saponins has been shown to be significantly radio-protective when it is administered prior to gamma-irradiation[2].

The leaf is emetic and expectorant[2].

Unknown part

Adaptogen
Anticholesterolemic
Emetic
Expectorant
Hypoglycaemic
Nervine
Tonic

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

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.

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Panax ginseng. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Requires a moist humus rich soil in a shady position in a woodland[6]. Ginseng is widely cultivated and also collected from the wild in the Orient for its root which is commonly used as a medicine[5]. The root is prepared in a number of different ways, including by steaming it for 4 hours in wicker baskets over boiling water[6].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Panax ginseng. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Panax ginseng.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Panax ginseng
Genus
Panax
Family
Araliaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
Medicinal uses
[1][2][3][4][5]
Material uses & Functions
Botanic
[6]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
6
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
partial sun
Shade
permanent shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil Water Retention
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    None listed.
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    ?
    Herbaceous or Woody
    ?
    Life Cycle
    perennial
    Growth Rate
    ?
    Mature Size
    0.8 x 0.7 meters
    Fertility
    ?
    Pollinators
    ?
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type
    hermaphrodite

    "image:Ginsengpflanze.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Ginsengpflanze.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Ginsengpflanze.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Ginsengpflanze.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Ginsengpflanze.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


    "image:Ginsengpflanze.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Ginsengpflanze.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Ginsengpflanze.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Ginsengpflanze.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Ginsengpflanze.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Ginsengpflanze.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Ginsengpflanze.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Ginsengpflanze.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Ginsengpflanze.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.






    References

    1. ? 1.01.11.21.31.41.51.61.7 Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. ISBN 0-7513-020-31 (1995-00-00)
    2. ? 2.02.12.22.32.4 Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. ISBN 0-917256-20-4 (1985-00-00)
    3. ? 3.03.1 Mills. S. Y. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism. ()
    4. ? 4.04.1 Yeung. Him-Che. Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas. Institute of Chinese Medicine, Los Angeles (1985-00-00)
    5. ? 5.05.15.2 Stuart. Rev. G. A. Chinese Materia Medica. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre ()
    6. ? 6.06.16.2 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)

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    Facts about "Panax ginseng"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyAraliaceae +
    Belongs to genusPanax +
    Has binomial namePanax ginseng +
    Has common nameGinseng +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has edible partRoot + and Unknown part +
    Has edible useUnknown use + and Tea +
    Has flowers of typeHermaphrodite +
    Has hardiness zone6 +
    Has imageGinsengpflanze.jpg +
    Has lifecycle typePerennial +
    Has mature height0.8 +
    Has mature width0.7 +
    Has medicinal partUnknown part +
    Has medicinal useAdaptogen +, Anticholesterolemic +, Emetic +, Expectorant +, Hypoglycaemic +, Nervine + and Tonic +
    Has primary imageGinsengpflanze.jpg +
    Has search namepanax ginseng + and ginseng +
    Has shade tolerancePermanent shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
    Has soil texture preferenceSandy +, Loamy + and Clay +
    Has sun preferencePartial sun +
    Has taxonomic rankSpecies +
    Has taxonomy namePanax ginseng +
    Has water requirementsmoderate +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    PFAF cultivation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF edible use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF material use notes migratedYes +
    PFAF medicinal use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF propagation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF toxicity notes migratedYes +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +
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