A hardy perennial, 70-80 cm (28-31 in) tall, it usually has a forked root, erect stems, with fleshy scales at the base and whorls of palmate leaves, with-finely serrated leaflets. Insignificant greenish-yellow flowers are followed by bright red berries.
History and traditions
Used as a tonic and “vital essence” in Chinese medicine for thousands of years. It was so highly prized for its medicinal properties that emperors set up monopolies and wars were fought over the rights to harvest ginseng. First introduced to Europe as early as the 9th century, it did not catch on until the 1950s when scientific studies discovered that its active principles have a “nor-malizing” effect on various bodily functions. The name panax comes from pan, all, and akos, a remedy. The Chinese name, from which the word ginseng is adapted, means man root, or like a man. Panax ginseng is probably extinct in the wild, but various Panax species are cultivated in Asia, China, Russia, Japan, the United States and Britain.
Related species
There are several species of ginseng with similar medicinal properties, and as the plants look very alike they are often confused. These include P japonicus, which grows wild in wooded areas of central Japan; P quinquefolius (American ginseng); Eleuthero-coccus senticosus (Siberian ginseng), which has almost identical properties to the Panax species, but is stronger and considered very beneficial. P pseudoginseng refers to several sub-species found in Asia, from the Himalayas to China.
Growth
For successful cultivation well-drained, sandy loam, with added leaf-mould, is essential. Propagation is from seed, but germination is often erratic. Parts used Roots processed from 6-7-year-old plants for use in tablets, extracts, tea and medicinal preparations.
Uses
Medicinal
Ginseng is said to stimulate the nervous and immune systems, improve and regulate hormonal secretion, increase general stamina and strength, lower blood-sugar and blood cholesterol levels. Modern research has not managed to isolate an active principle in this herb which relates to any one of the specific claims made for it. However, it has been found that the combined action of its many constituents has a general tonic effect on the whole body.
