History Of American Ginseng (Panax Quinquefolius)
Other Common Names: Amerikaanse Ginseng, Amerikanischer Ginseng, Five Fingers, Red Berry, Tartar Root, Panax quinquefolius
Range: Eastern N. America - Maine to Georgia, west to Oklahoma and Minnesota.
Habitat: Requires a deep moist humus rich soil in a shady
position in a woodland. Requires deep shade, growing well on
north-facing slopes and in woodland.
Often grown as a medicinal plant, though considered to be inferior
to Korean ginseng, P. ginseng. It is exported from N. America, mainly
to Hong Kong.
P.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. The roots are harvested in the autumn, preferably from
plants 6 - 7 years old, and can be used fresh or dried.
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. It is cultivated in some areas of
America as a medicinal crop and is also often harvested from the
wild.The root is said to be adaptogen, cardiotonic, demulcent, panacea,
sedative, sialagogue, stimulant and stomachic. It is used in the
treatment of chronic cough, low-grade fever, spontaneous or night
sweating and fatigue due to chronic consumptive disease.
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. Some caution is advised, though,
because large doses are said to raise blood pressure. The root is
harvested in the autumn and dried for later use.
A tea is made from the leaves and the roots. The aromatic root is candied and used as a masticatory.
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.
Known Hazards: 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.
- Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995 ISBN 0-7513-020-31
Other Common Names: Amerikaanse Ginseng, Amerikanischer Ginseng, Five Fingers, Red Berry, Tartar Root, Panax quinquefolius
Range: Eastern N. America - Maine to Georgia, west to Oklahoma and Minnesota.
Habitat: Requires a deep moist humus rich soil in a shady
position in a woodland. Requires deep shade, growing well on
north-facing slopes and in woodland.
Often grown as a medicinal plant, though considered to be inferior
to Korean ginseng, P. ginseng. It is exported from N. America, mainly
to Hong Kong.
P.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. The roots are harvested in the autumn, preferably from
plants 6 - 7 years old, and can be used fresh or dried.
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. It is cultivated in some areas of
America as a medicinal crop and is also often harvested from the
wild.The root is said to be adaptogen, cardiotonic, demulcent, panacea,
sedative, sialagogue, stimulant and stomachic. It is used in the
treatment of chronic cough, low-grade fever, spontaneous or night
sweating and fatigue due to chronic consumptive disease.
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. Some caution is advised, though,
because large doses are said to raise blood pressure. The root is
harvested in the autumn and dried for later use.
A tea is made from the leaves and the roots. The aromatic root is candied and used as a masticatory.
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.
Known Hazards: 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.
- Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995 ISBN 0-7513-020-31
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