Ginseng

GENERAL INFO

Ginseng is a slow growing plant that takes years to grow, but in a few years you will have a great start for a huge profit. It is impossible to get a full picture of growing ginseng in any book. [1]
American ginseng roots are offered for sale in shopsand stores throughout China. The chinese believe that ginseng is a panacea for their health. [3]
In China, ginseng is the most used herb, where it has been used for more than 7000 years. [5]
Ginseng is a perennial plant, but unlike other perennials, it lies dormant some years and does not grow new tops every year. [1]
Wisconsin Ginseng is known worldwide as the purest, highest quality ginseng. Panax quinquefolius, better known as American Ginseng, is a white root with medicinal properties known to relieve stress, increase stamina and increase resistance to common illnesses such as colds. [7]
Since the wild American ginseng is an endangered species, Canada requires that the applicant of sale and shipping of ginseng submit "An Application for Permit to Export Endangered Species" of the CITES forms. This must be approved by the Agriculture and Agri-food Canada agency. The United States has implemented similar regulatory procedures, enforced by its regulatory body, the Office of Scientific Authority and the Office of Management Authority. [11]
Korean ginseng is a deciduous perennial herb that reaches a height of 60 to 80 cm, with typical light colored fleshy root. [5]
Ginseng is a member of the Araliacae family. The American ginseng plant, Panax Quinquefolius Panax Quinquefolius, has become in such high demand in Asia that more than 85% of American grown ginseng is exported to asian markets. [13]
Ginseng is an herbal medication derived from the root of the Panax genus of plants. It has been used for several thousands years in Asia and its purported medicinal properties have reached mythic proportions. Daniel Boone traded ginseng, and in his diary, George Washington mentioned gathering the herb. [15]
Ginseng is a plant with many different components. It is used in its entirety in the preparation of teas, powders, and capsules. It contains saponins, or soaplike materials, that have been named with various numbers and letters, such as Rg1. Its root is said to have a composition similar to that of a steroid (http://www.mkservices.com/ginseng/ more.html) opnbrkthttp://www.mkservices.com/ginseng/ more.htmlclsbrkt ) It contains compounds containing hydrogen, carbon, and oxygen in the proportion C42 H72O14, (Liu et al., 1995). [12]
Ginseng is known world wide and ginseng is the most famous of the chinese herbs. [16]
Ginseng is a woodland herb whose survival is threatened by habitat destruction and careless harvesting. [20]
For most of us, roots that have been allowed to mature for 5 years or longer in good soil and environmental conditions, and harvested at the correct time of year 3,4,5,6 are thought to have stronger therapeutic qualities. Other factors to be aware of when purchasing Ginseng is the diversity within the Genus. [22]
American ginseng is cultivated in Illinois, Kentucky, Missouri and West Virginia, but the three leading states are North Carolina, Georgia, and Tennessee (10). As ginseng is a native of the forest, in the cultivation of this plant, the grower strives to approach forest conditions as nearly as possible. [14]
A concern when purchasing Siberian Ginseng is the continued practice of substitution. [23]
Ginseng is an herb that has been used for centuries in the Orient for medicinal purposes. [6]
Since ginseng is a substance rich in influences and full of vigor, it is able to supplement depletion and stop the loss of proper influences, no matter whether a patient's illness is related to wind, cold, summer-heat, dampness, phlegm, fire or some binding of influences within the body. [19]
American ginseng is known by the scientific name Panax Quinquefolius, after the five-leaf formation common to the species. It contains almost twice as many ginsenosides as Asian ginseng, and is highly valued in the orient. [13]
GINSENG is a fleshy rooted herb, native to well drained, cool, shaded hardwood forests. [1]
Probably the best testimonial for ginseng is the fact that it has been used in herbal preparations for thousands of years — and still is today. [24]
Panax ginseng is the Asian species and Panax quinquefolius is the American species. [14]
Ginseng is the common name of two species of Panax of the family Araliaceae. [14]
Ginseng is an adaptogen, an herb that can improve the body's overall ability to adapt to and cope with the negative effects of physical and environmental stress. [18]
Ginseng is a perennial herb 60-80 cm tall. Its root is fleshy, often bifurate and aromatic. [14]
One of the most commonly used and researched of the ginsengs is Panax ginseng, also called Asian or Korean ginseng. [8]
The word ginseng is derived from the Chinese term jen-shen, meaning "shaped like a man". Old roots, some nearly a century old with many scars, commanded very high prices because the plant's longevity was said to be transferred to individuals who consumed them (2). [14]
Common Use: Ginseng is one of the most popular healing herbs used today throughout the world. It increases mental and physical efficiency and resistance to stress and disease. Ginseng's adaptogenic qualities help balance the body, depending on the individual's needs. It is known to normalize blood pressure, increase blood circulation and aid in the prevention of heart disease. [2]
Results of clinical research studies demonstrate that Panax ginseng may improve psychologic function, immune function, and conditions associated with diabetes. Overall, Panax ginseng appears to be well tolerated, although caution is advised about concomitant use with some pharmaceuticals, such as warfarin, oral hypoglycemic agents, insulin, and phenelzine. [8]
Although not a native of the northwestern USA, ginseng grows very well in the mild climate and fertile volcanic soils found here. Wild ginseng is considered a threatened species and as such is covered by CITES, an international treaty which limits trade in threatened or endangered species. [17]
Ginseng is considered "energizing," but has not been shown to stimulate the central nervous system the way coffee does. [18]
Asian ginseng is one of several types of true ginseng (another is American ginseng, Panax quinquefolius ). [21]
Red ginseng is considered more warm, or "yang" than white ginseng. It has been theorized that the effect sun-drying or steam drying has on the ginsenocides, the principal active ingredients of ginseng root, may be no different than the effect caused by simply infusing a dried white root into tea. [13]
Each berry contains one to three flat seeds. Ginseng appears to be self-pollinated. Cultivated plants become increasingly larger until their fourth, fifth, or sixth year, after which growers usually harvest the roots for market. At this time, roots are up to 4" long, 1" thick, and are often forked. [6]
Asian ginseng is considered to be very "yang", or warm, and is often used for relatively limited periods of time. It contains roughly half the number of active ginsenocides found in American ginseng, which is considered to be cooler, or more "yin", and better suited for long term usage. [13]
Panax ginseng is one of the most commonly used and highly researched species of ginseng. [8]
For insufficiency of yin, when the medication of ginseng is considered necessary, it appears advisable to use Western ginseng which is relatively richer in yin-nourishing properties. [19]
In Wisconsin and several other states where ginseng is cultivated, a permit is not required to export artificially propagated ginseng. Ginseng was one of the earliest marketable herbs to be harvested in this country. [4]
In 1981, China convened a symposium on eleuthero ginseng in Harbin, China; at an international conference on Chinese medicine held in Hong Kong in 1983 (5), ginseng was one of the selected topics for presentations (of which there were 7 reports). [19]
Work is underway to obtain the information necessary for pesticide use on the crop. Insect pests of ginseng are basically those that feed on a variety of plants that grow in "ginseng-type" habitats. [6]
The main active components of Panax ginseng are ginsenosides, which have been shown to have a variety of beneficial effects, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer effects. [8]
According to Hankins ( 10 10 ), intensively cultivated plants are highly susceptible to ginseng blight. Disease problems associated with shadehouse-grown ginseng are so devastating that using fungicides to save an otherwise organically grown crop near the end of its multi-year cycle is a common industry practice. [9]
High-quality studies of the effects of ginseng are rare. Ginseng is promoted as an adaptogen (a product that increases the body's resistance to stress), one which can to a certain extent be supported with reference to its anticarcinogenic and antioxidant properties, although animal experiments to determine whether longevity and health were increased in the presence of stress gave negative results. [10]
The only tools needed to plant wild simulated ginseng are a rake and a garden hoe. [3]
Repeated administration of the saponin had no effect on the development of adaptation to either psychological or foot-shock stress exposure (Nguygen TT. et al., 1995). Among the varied promises of Ginseng are those of an increased physical stamina and a higher quality of life. [12]
The main active ingredients of Korean ginseng are ginsenosides. These steroid-like phytochemicals have adaptogenic properties, which give ginseng property to counter the effects of stress. [5]
Several species grow around the world, and though some are preferred for specific benefits, all are considered to have similar properties as an effective general rejuvenator. The name panax is derived from the Greek word panacea meaning, "all healing" and the benefits of ginseng are recognized as such. [2]
The main active ingredients of ginseng are the more than 25 saponin triterpenoid glycosides called "ginsenosides". These steroid-like ingredients provide the adaptogenic properties that enable ginseng to balance and counter the effects of stress. [2]
Approximately two million pounds of ginseng were grown in intensive cultivation under artificial shade in Wisconsin in 1994. [3]
From 1980 to 1983, some 1,197 metric tons of domestic (wild and cultivated) ginseng were exported from the United States. The average value per pound was $62.47, exported to destinations such as Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, Oceania, and Canada. Japan and South Korea both export processed Asiatic ginseng to Hong Kong although much of the ginseng from Japan is originally from South Korea and is merely transshipped (2). [14]
Chinese ginseng, korean ginseng and american ginseng are all known as adaptogenic longevity herbs. [16]
When the soil test results come back, the most important numbers to look at for ginseng are the soil pH, available calcium (Ca) and available phosphorus (P). [3]
To date, research results on Asian ginseng are not conclusive enough to prove health claims associated with the herb. [21]
The two main components of ginseng are in different proportions in the Asian and American varieties, and may well be the cause of the excitatory versus tonic natures. [10]
Treatment claims for Asian ginseng are numerous and include the use of the herb to support overall health and boost the immune system. [21]
Ginsenosides appear to modulate neurotransmission through -aminobutyric acid (GABA), and by inhibiting neurotransmitter reuptake. The results of investigations of the cardiovascular effects of ginseng are often contradictory, depending on the compounds tested and the organ system in which they are tested. [15]
Side effects from correctly administered Siberian Ginseng are thought to be very rare. If you experience any of these side effects, stop usage immediately and report them to your health care professional. [23]
European settlers have used it since the early 1700s; Daniel Boone use to pick wild ginseng and sell it in colonial NY. By the early 1800s tons of ginseng were already being exported to Asia each year. [13]
The main active agents in Panax ginseng are ginsenosides, which are triterpene saponins. The majority of published research on the medicinal activity of Panax ginseng has focused on ginsenosides. 3 These are the compounds to which some ginseng products are now standardized. [8]
Ginseng is used to restore memory, and enhance concentration and cognitive abilities, which may be impaired by improper blood supply to the brain. [2]
Ginseng is used to treat anemia, diabetes, gastritis and other conditions, including anti-aging. It's no wonder then that this medicinal plant should gain popularity in Western countries, particularly in the health food industry. [11]
Panax ginseng is used primarily to improve psychologic function, exercise performance, immune function, and conditions associated with diabetes (Table 1). [8]
Ancient healers in India, Russia, China and Japan all revered ginseng for its medicinal and health-enhancing properties. In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), ginseng is used for many purposes, including normalizing blood pressure and blood sugar, as a sexual tonic for both men and women, and to strengthen overall health when the body is debilitated. [18]

KEY TOPICS

Section Contents:

* Both American and Panax (Asian) ginseng roots are taken orally as adaptogens, aphrodisiacs, nourishing stimulants, and in the treatment of type II diabetes, including sexual dysfunction in men.(More…)

* Ginseng is a plant with many different components.(More…)

* Severe weather may reduce plant growth.(More…)

* In 1860, more than 120 tons of dried ginseng roots were shipped from the state to China.(More…)

* The experimenter concluded that G115 could be a non-doping "adaptagen" (Van Schepdael, 1993).(More…)

* When taken by mouth, ginseng is usually well tolerated.(More…)

* Well, I'm sure the price for good quality, dry ginseng will be different within 7 or 8 years when you get to the point when you are ready to sell your roots, but over the last 3 or 4 years, it has been going anywhere from around $250 to $500 per pound.(More…)

* Further study of ginseng alone is necessary in order to draw firm conclusions.(More…)

* Common Use: Ginseng is one of the most popular healing herbs used today throughout the world.(More…)

* Because of the use of combination products and the limitations of some studies on ginseng (e.g., poor methodologic quality, research focusing on healthy volunteers, small sample size, unstandardized ginseng preparations, varying doses), it is difficult to draw conclusions about some of the clinical effects of ginseng.(More…)

* Careful harvest of mature plants can take place, in wild simulated ginseng patches, without taking the site out of production.(More…)

* Ginseng does not grow in full sunlight, so the natural place to plant it is in hardwood forests, where the trees provide the needed shade.(More…)

* Located in the heart of ginseng country, Marathon County, Wisconsin, USA, Hsu Ginseng Enterprises, Inc. has over 1000 acres of prime ginseng farmland available for cultivation of the magical root.(More…)

* Caso Marasco A, Vargas Ruiz R, Salas Villagomez A, Begona Infante C. Double-blind study of a multivitamin complex supplemented with ginseng extract.(More…)

* Siberian ginseng ( Eleutherococcus senticosus ) is not a ginseng at all.(More…)

* History shows that early Chinese emperors placed great value in ginseng.(More…)

* In China, ginseng is the most used herb, where it has been used for more than 7000 years.(More…)

* ConsumerLab.com has found problems in many ginseng supplements over the years.(More…)

Both American and Panax (Asian) ginseng roots are taken orally as adaptogens, aphrodisiacs, nourishing stimulants, and in the treatment of type II diabetes, including sexual dysfunction in men. [10]

Ginseng leaf, although not as highly prized, is sometimes also used; as with the root it is most often available in dried form. This ingredient may also be found in some popular Energy Drinks : usually the "tea" varieties or Functional Foods. [10]

Woods grown plants have comparable value to wild grown ginseng of similar age. [10] Only Jiaogulan actually contains compounds closely related to ginsenosides, although ginsenosides alone do not determine the effectiveness of ginseng. Since each of these plants have different uses, one should research their properties before using. [10]

High-quality studies of the effects of ginseng are rare. Ginseng is promoted as an adaptogen (a product that increases the body's resistance to stress), one which can to a certain extent be supported with reference to its anticarcinogenic and antioxidant properties, although animal experiments to determine whether longevity and health were increased in the presence of stress gave negative results. [10] White Ginseng is air dried in the sun and may contain less of the therapeutic constituents. It is thought by some that enzymes contained in the root break down these constituents in the process of drying. [10] It is frequently marinated in an herbal brew which results in the root becoming extremely brittle. This version of ginseng is traditionally associated with stimulating sexual function and increasing energy. [10]

The two main components of ginseng are in different proportions in the Asian and American varieties, and may well be the cause of the excitatory versus tonic natures. [10] It has been difficult to verify the medicinal benefits of ginseng using science, as there are contradictory results from different studies, possibly due to the wide variety and quality of ginseng used in studies. [10] Usually ginseng is in subclinical doses and it does not have measurable medicinal effects. It can be found in cosmetic preparations as well, with similar lack of effect. [10] Chinese/Korean ginseng grows in northeast China and Korea, the coldest area known to many Koreans in traditional times. [10]

Ginseng is native to China, Russia, North Korea, Japan, and some areas of North America. It was first cultivated in the United States in the late 1800's. It is difficult to grow and takes 4-6 years to become mature enough to harvest. The roots are called Jin-chen, meaning 'like a man,' in reference to their resemblance to the shape of the human body. Native North Americans considered it one of their most sacred herbs and add it to many herbal formulas to make them more potent. [2] Ginseng root is reputed to lower blood sugar and cholesterol levels, protect against stress, enhance strength and promote relaxation. Koreans have fed ginseng to race horses to enhance their performance on the track. Although some European and Asian studies appear to support some of these claims, American researchers remain skeptical. Ginseng is not a drug and should not be taken as such. It is classified by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a "generally recognized safe food" (GRAS). [4] There are several seed and root suppliers and ginseng buyers in Wisconsin. For information, contact the Ginseng Board of Wisconsin, or the Wisconsin Ginseng Growers Association both at 500 3rd St., Suite 208-2, Wausau, Wisconsin 54401 (tele 715-845- 7300). [4] In the Far East, ginseng root is used in toothpaste, soft drinks, tea, candy, chewing gum and cigarettes. It also appears on the market as crystals, extract, powder capsules and is sold as the whole root. [4]

Adults (18 years and older) Capsules : 100 to 200 milligrams of a standardized ginseng extract (4% ginsenosides) taken by mouth once or twice daily has been used in studies for up to 12 weeks. 0.5 to 2 grams of dry ginseng root, taken daily by mouth in divided doses, has also been used. [25] A small number of studies report that ginseng taken by mouth may lower the risk of being affected by various cancers, especially if ginseng powder or extract is used. Most of these studies have been published by the same research group, and have used a type of research design (case-control) that can only be considered preliminary. Results may have been affected by other lifestyle choices in people who use ginseng, such as exercise or dietary habits. [25] A small amount of research using ginseng extract G115® (with or without multivitamins) reports improvements in patients with fatigue of various causes. These results are preliminary, and studies have not been high quality. [25]

Based on human research, ginseng may lower blood sugar levels. This effect may be greater in patients with diabetes than in non-diabetic individuals. Caution is advised in patients with diabetes or hypoglycemia, and in those taking drugs, herbs, or supplements that affect blood sugar. [25] Poorly described preliminary research reports improved blood counts in patients with aplastic anemia using ginseng in combination with other herbs, and improved white blood cell counts in patients with neutropenia using high doses of ginsenosides. [25] Several human studies report that ginseng may lower blood sugar levels in patients with type 2 diabetes, both at fasting states and after eating. [25]


Ginseng is a plant with many different components. It is used in its entirety in the preparation of teas, powders, and capsules. It contains saponins, or soaplike materials, that have been named with various numbers and letters, such as Rg1. Its root is said to have a composition similar to that of a steroid (http://www.mkservices.com/ginseng/ more.html) opnbrkthttp://www.mkservices.com/ginseng/ more.htmlclsbrkt ) It contains compounds containing hydrogen, carbon, and oxygen in the proportion C42 H72O14, (Liu et al., 1995). [12] Ginseng is said to have many effects on the human body. The cooling effects or relaxing effects are felt from the "Yin" ginsengs such as the American or Siberian species. [12] A word of caution must be introduced. Many of these studies were done on rodents. Although they may have positive effects on these creatures, that does not mean that they will also have the same effect on humans. Maybe then, we should place a little more weight on those studies done using humans as subjects such as the quality of life experiments. In these studies, little was shown to illustrate that ginseng was extremely effective. [12] Scientists in Sweden conducted a double-blind, randomized study with a 12 week duration to determine the effect of ginseng extract G115 on the quality of life. [12] Is ginseng a "cure-all?" A study shows that ginseng has no effect on memory registration as claimed by many manufacturers of the product. [12] The prescription of S-113m (Panax ginseng and Schisandra chinensis) had no effect on memory registration, consolidation and retrieval processes or on motor activity (Nishiyama, Wang, Satio, 1995). [12] The warming or stimulating effects are seen from the "Yang" ginsengs which include the species of Korean and Chinese ginsengs (http://www.tenzing.com/g.html). [12] Saponins contained in ginseng do seem to have a prohibiting effect in the aging process and a positive effect toward anti-stress. Both the quality of life and physical stamina studies fail to exhibit overwhelming data that ginseng greatly improves either of these aspects of life. They do however, open the doors for future studies. [12] A double-blind comparison of the effect on quality of life of a combination of vital substances including standardized ginseng G115 and placebo. [12] Repeated administration of the saponin had no effect on the development of adaptation to either psychological or foot-shock stress exposure (Nguygen TT. et al., 1995). Among the varied promises of Ginseng are those of an increased physical stamina and a higher quality of life. [12]

There seems to be little harm in taking ginseng because none of the studies included an adverse reaction to the plant. [12]

These mostly adaptogenic plants are sometimes referred to as ginsengs, but they are either from a different family or genus. [10] The common adaptogen ginsengs (Panax ginseng and Panax quinquefolia) are generally considered to be relatively safe even in large amounts. [10] Ginseng that is produced in the United States and Canada is particularly prized in Chinese societies, and many ginseng packages are prominently colored red, white, and blue. [10] "Double-blind study of a multivitamin complex supplemented with ginseng extract.". [10]


Severe weather may reduce plant growth. All of these stressful conditions result in a wild appearance of the roots that are eventually harvested. When the ginseng plants become four or five years old, they will begin producing red berries that contain ginseng seeds. The plants will self-seed and begin new populations of ginseng on the ground underneath the parent plants. This self-generation is fine but growers should not count on it for reliable future crops. [3] Growers who want to have ginseng roots to sell every year should plant a couple pounds of seeds in new beds, every fall, for future harvests. This should not be a one-time activity. [3]


In 1860, more than 120 tons of dried ginseng roots were shipped from the state to China. [4] Most ginseng crops are started from seed, rather than roots or seedlings. This is the least expensive way to start a plantation and may help prevent the introduction of soil-borne disease to new plantations. [4] Ginseng roots shaped like the human body are considered highly desirable. Old roots (some may be nearly a century old) are prized because their longevity is claimed to be transferred to the person who consumes them. [4] Young or undersized roots dry hard and glassy and are less marketable. Ginseng grows best under conditions that simulate its natural habitat. It requires 70% to 90% natural or artificial shade. Ginseng thrives in a climate with 40 to 50 in. of annual precipitation and an average temperature of 50F. It requires several weeks of cold temperatures for adequate dormancy. [4] Although little research in ginseng fertility has been conducted, common practice has been to fertilize as for other root crops. [4] Ginseng plants generally begin to produce harvestable seed in the third year of growth. It takes approximately 200 plants to produce 1 lb of seed, which may produce 5,000 seedlings. Although researchers have examined ways to break this juvenility requirement and hasten germination, it is still not understood. [4] In Wisconsin, most growers harvest ginseng the third year after planting from seed. [4] A typical seed yield is 150 to 250 lb/acre. Ginseng growers typically invest $20,000/acre and 600 hrs of labor annually and get no return on their investment until the third or fourth year. It may take 10 years to break even. [4] Ginseng requires 3 to 5 years to produce a marketable crop from seed. As there is an 18 month seed dormancy, freshly harvested seed cannot be used for starting a crop. It must be stratified for 18 to 22 months before planting. [4]

Ginseng grows in the wild about 1 foot tall and they bloom in the summer. When it ripens in the fall or late summer with bright red berries, each berry usually contains 2-3 seeds. The seeds may be kept in damp sand for 1 year and used for replanting or they can be sold. In its wild, natural state, it grows in cool, shady, hardwood forest that takes about 6 to 8 years to grow to the point where its roots are large enough to harvest. [1]

Preliminary study in infants with peri-anal abscess or fistula-in-ano, used a treatment of GTTC (Ginseng and Tang-kuei Ten Combination) at a dose of 0.1- 0.2 grams per kilogram of body weight twice a day to accelerate recovery. Further research is needed to confirm these study results. [25] Side Effects and Warnings Ginseng has been well tolerated by most people in scientific studies when used at recommended doses, and serious side effects appear to be rare. [25] Effects have also been reported for the combination use of ginseng with Ginkgo biloba. Although this evidence is promising, most studies have been small and not well designed or reported. [25] Ginseng may have estrogen-like effects, and has been associated with reports of breast tenderness, loss of menstrual periods, vaginal bleeding after menopause, breast enlargement (reported in men), difficulty developing or maintaining an erection, or increased "sexual responsiveness." Avoid use of ginseng in patients with hormone sensitive conditions, such as breast cancer, uterine cancer, or endometriosis. [25] Several studies have examined the effects of ginseng (with or without multivitamins) on overall well-being in healthy and ill patients, when taken for up to 12 weeks. [25] Additional studies are needed that measure long-term effects of ginseng in diabetes patients, and which examine interactions with standard prescription drugs for diabetes. [25]

Standardized products have been used in studies, although tests of commercially available ginseng products have found that many brands do not contain the claimed ingredients, and some include detectable pesticides. [25]

A proprietary ginseng root extract (Cold-FX, CV Technologies Inc., Edmonton, AB) has been studied in athletes for 28 days at a dose of 400 milligrams per day. [25] Practitioners sometimes recommended that after using ginseng continuously for two to three weeks, people should take a break for one or two weeks, and that long-term dosing should not exceed 1 gram of dry root daily. [25]

Animal studies and preliminary human research suggest possible safety, although safety has not been clearly established in humans. Therefore, ginseng use cannot be recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding. [25] A small number of studies report that ginseng may stimulate activity of immune cells in the body (T-lymphocytes and neutrophils), improve the effectiveness of antibiotics in people with acute bronchitis, and enhance the body's response to influenza vaccines. Most research in this area has been published by the same lead author. [25] Several studies from China report that ginseng in combination with various other herbs may reduce symptoms of coronary artery disease such as anginal chest pain, and may improve abnormalities seen on electrocardiograms (ECG). [25] Additional studies, which examine the effects of ginseng on specific types of infections, are necessary before a clear conclusion can be reached. [25] Ginseng is commonly used by athletes with the intention of improving stamina. It remains unclear if ginseng taken by mouth significantly affects exercise performance. Numerous studies have been published in this area, with mixed results. [25] Several studies report that ginseng can modestly improve thinking or learning at daily doses between 200 and 400 milligrams of standardized extract G115®, taken by mouth daily for up to 12 weeks. [25] Serum glucose levels may need to be monitored by a healthcare provider, and medication adjustments may be necessary. There are anecdotal reports of nosebleeds and vaginal bleeding with ginseng use, although scientific study is limited in this area. [25] A small study conducted in patients with multi-infarct dementia reports that an herbal combination known as Fuyuan mixture, which contains ginseng, may have therapeutic benefits. [25] Ginseng was reported to improve pulmonary function and exercise capacity in patients with COPD in one study. Further research is needed to confirm these results. [25] Poorly described research in patients treated with Shenmai and Shengmai injection (a Ginseng preparation), report that there may be some related cardiac improvement. [25]

There is also a small amount of negative evidence, reporting that ginseng actually may not significantly affect thinking processes. It is not clear if people with certain conditions may benefit more than others. Therefore, although the sum total of available scientific evidence does suggest some effectiveness of short-term use of ginseng in this area, better research is necessary before a strong recommendation can be made. [25] Children (younger than 18 years) There is not enough scientific information available to recommend the safe use of ginseng in children. [25]

Allergies People with known allergy to plants in the Araliaceae family should avoid ginseng. [25] Preliminary research suggests that ginseng may lower blood pressure (systolic and diastolic). It is not clear what doses are safe or effective. Well-conducted studies are needed to confirm these early results. [25] Preliminary research suggests that ginseng may not carry a significant risk of causing dangerously low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia). [25] Several cases of severe drops in white blood cell counts were reported in people using a combination product containing ginseng in the 1970s, and may have been due to contamination. [25] A severe life-threatening rash known as Stevens-Johnson syndrome occurred in one patient and may have been due to contaminants in a ginseng product. [25] In patients treated with Hochu-ekki-to, which contains ginseng and several other herbs, urinary MRSA has been reported to decrease after a 10-week treatment period. [25]

Jiang X, Williams KM, Liauw WS, et al. Effect of St John's wort and ginseng on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of warfarin in healthy subjects. [25] Effects of ginseng in type 1 diabetes ("insulin dependent") are not well studied. [25] The effects of ginseng alone are not clear, and no firm conclusion can be drawn. [25] Without further evidence of the effects of ginseng specifically, a firm conclusion cannot be reached. [25]

A case report describes liver damage (cholestatic hepatitis) after taking a combination product containing ginseng. [25] Pregnancy and Breastfeeding Ginseng has been used traditionally in pregnant and breastfeeding women. [25] Preliminary research suggests that benefits may occur in people with the worst baseline quality of life. It remains inconclusive if ginseng is beneficial in this area for anybody. [25] Preliminary evidence in infants with peri-anal abscess or fistula-in-ano suggests that a treatment of GTTC (Ginseng and Tang-kuei Ten Combination) may accelerate recovery. Further research is needed to confirm these results. [25]

Ginseng extracts may be standardized to 4% ginsenosides content (for example, G115®) or 7% total ginsenosides content. [25] There is preliminary evidence that ginseng, at doses of 200 milligrams of extract daily, may increase the QTc interval (thus increasing the risk of abnormal heart rhythms) and decrease diastolic blood pressure two hours after ingestion in healthy adults. [25] There is also evidence in humans of ginseng reducing the effectiveness of the "blood thinning" medication warfarin (Coumadin®). [25] High doses of ginseng have been associated with rare cases of temporary inflammation of blood vessels in the brain (cerebral arteritis), abnormal dilation of the pupils of the eye, confusion, or depression. [25]

People with diabetes should seek the care of a qualified healthcare practitioner, and should not use ginseng instead of more proven therapies. [25]

Do not use burlap or muslin, which can interfere with air circulation. (For more detailed instructions on how to provide artificial shade, see "American Ginseng Culture in the Arid Climates of British Columbia" by Oliver, Van Lierop and Buonassisi). [4] Ginseng roots are dried on wire-netting shelves in a heated, well-ventilated room. [4] Ginseng is susceptible to a number of fungal diseases, including Alternaria leaf and stem blight, Phytophthora root rot and foliar blight, seedling damping-off caused by Pythium and Rhizoctonia, rusty root and root knot nematode. [4]

In Wisconsin and several other states where ginseng is cultivated, a permit is not required to export artificially propagated ginseng. Ginseng was one of the earliest marketable herbs to be harvested in this country. [4] Ginseng beds in Wisconsin are usually cultivated for three years before harvest, unless disease problems mandate earlier harvest. [4] In Wisconsin, growers are assessed $0.15/lb of dried root for promotion and research, and the funds are administered by the Ginseng Board of Wisconsin, located in Wausau, Wisconsin. [4] Wisconsin growers generally do not reuse a ginseng field for succeeding ginseng crops. [4]

In the United States, ginseng and ginseng products are marketed in Asian food and health food stores. [4] Most of the ginseng used in the United States, however, is imported from Korea. [4]

Consult your local County Extension Agent each year to find out which pesticides may be applied to ginseng in your area. [4] Ginseng seed is generally planted in the fall and covered with mulch until spring. It can also be spring-planted, but if seeding is not completed by May 1, the seed may begin to sprout prematurely. [4] Ginseng gardens that are cultivated in the woods may suffer less from diseases than do plantings under artificial shade. [4] The term "ginseng" is derived from the Chinese term "jen-shen," which means "in the image of a man." [4] Most of Wisconsin's ginseng growers cultivate no more than one acre of the crop annually. [4] Ginseng generally prefers a loamy, deep (12 in.), well-drained soil with a high organic content and a pH near 5.5. [4] Ginseng can be a profitable crop, but it requires an enormous commitment of time, money and labor for successful commercial production. [4]


The experimenter concluded that G115 could be a non-doping "adaptagen" (Van Schepdael, 1993). Ginseng was studied to determine its effects on learning and memory performance in the step-down and lever-press tests in normal mice. [12] The effects of ginseng G115 on physical stamina was studied by Van Schepdael of Medicine du Sport in 1993. [12]

Ginseng is listed as an adaptogen. Hans Selye, a listed expert on stress, defines an adaptogen as a "non-toxic substance which reinforces the bodys ability to react to stress" (http:/www.sunwellness.com/ginseng.html) opnbrkthttp:/www.sunwellness.com/ginseng.htmlclsbrkt. It is offered in a variety of species each yielding a different response. [12] Ginseng has been studied in its relationship to the process of aging among humans. It is stated that aging is a declining process associated with dysfunction of neuro-endocrino-immuno-system network. [12] Ginseng contains ten saponins, or polysaccharides with specific characteristics, including Rc, Rc2, Rd, and Rg1. Some of the researchers found that ginseng can promote synthesis of protein, RNA, and DNA in tissues and organs such as the kidney, liver, bone marrow, and plasma of rats. [12]


When taken by mouth, ginseng is usually well tolerated. Some sources suggest that its use be limited to 3 months because of concerns about the development of side effects. [21] Growers are advised not to plant ginseng in close proximity to patches of ferns. The roots of ferns secrete allelopathic chemicals which deter other plants from growing next to them. Ginseng grows well on many hillsides where ferns grow, but not right up next to them. [3] A thief could steal all of the roots in a small patch in one morning but no one could possibly steal half an acre of wild simulated ginseng in just a few hours. Quite a few growers have grown wild simulated ginseng until they first see evidence of theft. At that point, growers accept the inevitable and go ahead and harvest their ginseng roots. [3] Many persons recommend planting "woods grown" ginseng in tilled up, raised beds in the woods, under a natural canopy of shade. That method certainly can be used for production of ginseng but growers should not expect to receive high prices for roots produced in tilled beds. Ginseng roots harvested from tilled beds look like cultivated roots rather than wild roots. Prices paid for this kind of ginseng range from $30 to $100 per pound of dried roots. [3] Experienced buyers of ginseng can easily tell the difference between wild and cultivated roots. [3] Scientific laboratory tests are not used to determine the value of ginseng roots in China. [3] In the wild simulated method, after planting, no more work is required until the ginseng roots are dug six to 10 years later. [3] In 1999, wild dried roots of ginseng sold for as much as $425 per pound. That price has doubled in the last 10 years. [3] Plants that indicate a good place to grow ginseng include Jack-in-the pulpit, bloodroot, Solomon's seal, jewel weed, galax, trillium, wild yam, hepatica, Black cohosh, wild ginger and ferns. [3] Ginseng has a reputation as an aphrodisiac, which has made it a comical rather than a credible plant. It is not easy to grow. A great deal of failure has occurred, in the past, by landowners who casually scatter ginseng seeds in their woods hoping to get rich without doing any work. [3] Any disease outbreaks severely threaten ginseng under intense cultivation because the plants are so close together that the disease can quickly spread through the entire bed. This intense fungus disease pressure forces artificial shade growers to use a vigorous spray schedule to prevent losses. Many ginseng consumers worldwide have become concerned about these fungicide applications. [3] All of the ginseng Cooke, Hankins and Scott saw in China was growing under artificial shade. During hard times in the past, the Chinese cut down most of their forests to heat their homes and for cooking. [3] Freshly dug ginseng roots have three times more weight than dried ginseng roots. [3] There are strong suspicions among several ginseng experts that ginseng diseases, like Phytophthora root rot, may be suppressed by acid soil conditions. [3] Soil testing should be done every year to monitor available soil nutrients. In the wild simulated method, stratified ginseng seed is planted in the fall after the trees lose their leaves. [3] Any seeds that float on the surface are probably dead and are worthless for planting. It takes 10 pounds of stratified ginseng seed to plant one-half acre of wild simulated ginseng. It is a good idea to plant ginseng seed in defined beds that are 5 feet wide and 50 feet long. [3] Plant ginseng seeds, by hand, 3 inches apart in each furrow. About one ounce of seed will be needed to plant three furrows, at this spacing, in a bed that is 5 feet wide and 50 feet long. [3] If the seeds are left in stratification for a longer time to accommodate spring planting, the seeds will sprout inside of the stratification box and will be useless. Some growers make the mistake of planting ginseng seeds in September and in October before the trees lose their leaves. The problem with this practice is that the falling leaves form a mulch on the forest floor that may be too deep for the germinating ginseng seedlings to grow through. [3] The only thing a first time seller has to watch out for is country dealers who might try to buy valuable ginseng at a low price. Many of these country dealers also buy and sell guns, hunting dogs, furs, used car batteries, etc. They practice the art of trading. If they make a low offer and the grower accepts it, it is his own fault. [3]


Well, I'm sure the price for good quality, dry ginseng will be different within 7 or 8 years when you get to the point when you are ready to sell your roots, but over the last 3 or 4 years, it has been going anywhere from around $250 to $500 per pound. [1] Each year you will have more and more ginseng roots and seeds, and you will become even more interested in it. [1] Ginseng is a slow growing plant that takes years to grow, but in a few years you will have a great start for a huge profit. It is impossible to get a full picture of growing ginseng in any book. [1] Ginseng is a perennial plant, but unlike other perennials, it lies dormant some years and does not grow new tops every year. [1] If you plant every year, when you do begin to harvest, you will have a harvest every year. It's OK to start small to get some experience growing ginseng. That's the best way and it will not cost you a lot of money. [1] The future for growing ginseng looks promising for many years as more and more is being used now in the United States in addition to the Orient. [1]

Ginseng roots do not grow straight down. They are usually at about 45 degrees in the ground. [1]


Further study of ginseng alone is necessary in order to draw firm conclusions. [25] There is a report of neonatal death and the development of male characteristics in a developing baby girl after exposure of a pregnant mother to ginseng. [25] Ginseng may produce manic symptoms, based on a case report: In a single case report involving a 56 year-old woman with previous affective disorder, a manic episode was reported during ginseng intake. [25]


Common Use: Ginseng is one of the most popular healing herbs used today throughout the world. It increases mental and physical efficiency and resistance to stress and disease. Ginseng's adaptogenic qualities help balance the body, depending on the individual's needs. It is known to normalize blood pressure, increase blood circulation and aid in the prevention of heart disease. [2]

Several species grow around the world, and though some are preferred for specific benefits, all are considered to have similar properties as an effective general rejuvenator. The name panax is derived from the Greek word panacea meaning, "all healing" and the benefits of ginseng are recognized as such. [2]

Various forms of ginseng have been used in medicine for more than 7000 years. [2] Ginseng is used to restore memory, and enhance concentration and cognitive abilities, which may be impaired by improper blood supply to the brain. [2]

The main active ingredients of ginseng are the more than 25 saponin triterpenoid glycosides called "ginsenosides". These steroid-like ingredients provide the adaptogenic properties that enable ginseng to balance and counter the effects of stress. [2] Animal studies have shown that ginseng extracts stimulate the production of interferons, increase natural killer cell activity, lower cholesterol and decrease triglyceride levels. [2] Ginseng is believed to increase estrogen levels in women and is used to treat menopausal symptoms. It is also used for diabetes, radiation and chemotherapy protection, colds, chest problems, to aid in sleep, and to stimulate the appetite. [2]


Because of the use of combination products and the limitations of some studies on ginseng (e.g., poor methodologic quality, research focusing on healthy volunteers, small sample size, unstandardized ginseng preparations, varying doses), it is difficult to draw conclusions about some of the clinical effects of ginseng. [8] Traditional Chinese medicine and many current research studies 5-8 often use products that combine ginseng with other herbal medicines or vitamins. [8]

The herbal remedies referred to as "ginseng" are derived from the roots of several plants. [8] Scaglione F, Weiser K, Alessandria M. Effects of the standardized ginseng extract G115® in patients with chronic bronchitis: a nonblinded, randomised, comparative pilot study. [8] D'Angelo L, Grimaldi R, Caravaggi M, Marcoli M, Perucca E, Lecchini S, et al. A double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study on the effect of a standardized ginseng extract on psychomotor performance in healthy volunteers. [8]

Engels HJ, Wirth JC. No ergogenic effects of ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer) during graded maximal aerobic exercise. [8] Wiklund IK, Mattsson LA, Lindgren R, Limoni C. Effects of a standardized ginseng extract on quality of life and physiological parameters in symptomatic postmenopausal women: a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. [8] Pieralisi G, Ripari P, Vecchiet L. Effects of a standardized ginseng extract combined with dimethylaminoethanol bitartrate, vitamins, minerals, and trace elements on physical performance during exercise. [8]

Ginseng also causes hypoglycemic activity, and caution should be exercised in using ginseng products in patients with diabetes because of possible interactions with oral hypoglycemic agents and insulin. One source 2 recommends avoiding the use of ginseng products in children and in women who are pregnant or lactating, until more rigorous studies prove safety in these groups. [8] In one study 9 of 112 healthy volunteers older than 40 years, the administration of 400 mg per day of the standardized ginseng product Gerimax for eight weeks resulted in better and faster simple reactions and abstract thinking, but no change in concentration, memory, or subjective experience. [8] Sorensen H, Sonne J. A double-masked study of the effects of ginseng on cognitive functions. [8]


Careful harvest of mature plants can take place, in wild simulated ginseng patches, without taking the site out of production. Young seedling ginseng plants will just grow up to take their place. [3] Plant diseases will almost certainly occur. If the right conditions can be found, wild simulated ginseng production can provide income for those who have patience, perseverance and discretion. It is also a very enjoyable project. [3] The only tools needed to plant wild simulated ginseng are a rake and a garden hoe. [3] The beds should run up and down the slope, rather than across the slope, for better air drainage around the plants. It is not necessary or desirable to clear undergrowth away from the planting beds. It is perfectly natural for there to be trees, shrubs and herbaceous weeds growing in the beds that will be planted in ginseng. [3] Successful growth of ginseng most often occurs in sites where other herbaceous woodland plants are growing. [3]

Some growers sell directly to large herb companies who buy ginseng for export to Asia. In a few states, ginseng auctions have been organized to help both the buyers and the sellers. [3] Ginseng growers and gatherers in the United States and Canada produce about four million pounds of dried roots for export to Asia each year. [3] Growers who wait until the middle of October to buy ginseng seed are likely to receive poor quality seed from the "bottom of the barrel." [3] Most seed is sold by experienced ginseng growers, who have developed large-scale ginseng farms. [3]

A method called wild simulated cultivation can be used to grow ginseng without fungicide sprays and expensive establishment costs. [3] Since there is no tillage of the soil with wild simulated ginseng crops, all fertilizers are applied on the soil surface. [3] Growers are warned not to become too aggressive in protecting ginseng crops from thieves. Shooting a gun in the air to scare trespassers away from the woods is all right, but shooting the trespassers even if they are actively digging the ginseng is not all right. Ginseng growers who do this will be subject to imprisonment. It is against the law to shoot people trespassing on private property unless they break into the home. [3] Growth buds are smaller and more fragile. These two reports have caused controversy among ginseng growers and researchers. [3]

A perpetual stand of ginseng may be maintained by allowing mature plants to self-seed. [3] The income involved in growing half an acre of wild simulated ginseng depends upon the yield and future price. [3] The wild simulated method of growing ginseng is best practiced on lands that are controlled. [3]

In selling dried roots of wild simulated ginseng, the situation is totally different. It is hard to find any product that is easier to sell. [3]

Approximately two million pounds of ginseng were grown in intensive cultivation under artificial shade in Wisconsin in 1994. [3] Ginseng grows best in a moist, well drained soil. That is almost a contradiction of terms but these soils do exist. [3] An isolated patch of woods, fenced off from the cattle, in the middle of a large pasture might be a good site to grow ginseng. This might be an especially safe location if a couple of those cattle are bulls. [3]

One management practice that may increase yields of ginseng is treating seed before planting. [3] A good way to check the viability of any ginseng seed is to dump it in a bucket of water. [3] A pound of ginseng seed contains about 6500 seeds. If the seed ever dries out it will die. [3] A great deal of meticulous care is required to successfully produce viable, stratified ginseng seed. Most seed producers do like to sell their stratified seed in advance. [3] When purchased ginseng seed is received, it should be stored in the refrigerator. It usually comes in zip lock plastic bags. [3]

Establishment costs for one acre of ginseng beds, under wood lath shade or under polypropylene shade cloth, varies from $20,000 to $40,000 depending upon the current prices of materials needed. [3] The ginseng market is disorganized. Certain dealers try to buy ginseng at low prices so they can sell it at high prices. [3] The threat of human theft has made ginseng production impractical in certain regions. [3] There are many areas, within the native range of ginseng, in which traffic over private land by hikers is restricted. [3]


Ginseng does not grow in full sunlight, so the natural place to plant it is in hardwood forests, where the trees provide the needed shade. [1] The Chinese put the highest value on ginseng. It's used only by the wealthiest and will bring several hundred dollars per pound. [1] All of ginseng seed orders for spring planting have shipped on Saturday, April 19th. [1] Growing it commercially is good too, but it involves quite a lot of expense, time, etc., but it is profitable if one wants to make a business of growing it but remember, you will only get a fraction of the price of wild-stimulated ginseng. [1] GINSENG is a fleshy rooted herb, native to well drained, cool, shaded hardwood forests. [1] If you have a small amount of ginseng seeds to stratify, you can even bury a 5 gallon bucket with plenty of drain holes drilled in it. [1] If you decide to grow ginseng in your backyard, lots, or in the woods, keep it in a mostly shady area. [1] We anticipate to ship out all of ginseng rootlets orders on Monday, May 5th. [1] If you would like to get involved or have a story about growing ginseng to share with our visitors, please register register to post your articles. [1] Infomation about planting, harvesting, and growing your own herbal garden or Ginseng patch. [1]


Located in the heart of ginseng country, Marathon County, Wisconsin, USA, Hsu Ginseng Enterprises, Inc. has over 1000 acres of prime ginseng farmland available for cultivation of the magical root. We have dedicated this site to offering you the most current health food products and information available and hope you have time to explore all the benefits it has to offer. [26] The term ginseng refers to several species of the genus Panax. For more than two thousand years, the roots of this slow-growing plant have been valued in Chinese medicine. The two most commonly used species are Asian ginseng ( Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer), which is mostly extinct in its natural range but is still cultivated, and American ginseng ( P. quinquefolius L.), which is both harvested from the wild and cultivated. [25] Ginseng refers to species within Panax, a genus of 11 species of slow-growing perennial plants with fleshy roots, in the family Araliaceae. They grow in the Northern Hemisphere in eastern Asia (mostly northern China, Korea, and eastern Siberia ), typically in cooler climates; Panax vietnamensis, discovered in Vietnam, is the southernmost ginseng found. This article focuses on the Series Panax ginsengs, which are the adaptogenic herbs, principally Panax ginseng and Panax quinquefolius. [10] Wild ginseng is relatively rare and even increasingly endangered, due in large part to high demand for the product in recent years, which has led to the wild plants being sought out and harvested faster than new ones can grow (it requires years for a ginseng root to reach maturity). [10] Wild ginseng can be either Asian or American and can be processed to be red ginseng. There are woods grown American ginseng programs in Maine, Tennessee, Virginia and North Carolina. and United Plant Savers has been encouraging the woods planting of ginseng both to restore natural habitats and to remove pressure from any remaining wild ginseng, and they offer both advice and sources of rootlets. [10] Blue Cohosh ( Caulophyllum thalictroides, Linn.) is often called locally in the United States 'Blue' or 'Yellow Ginseng,' and Fever Root ( Triosteum perfoliatum, Linn.) also is sometimes given the name of Ginseng. [27] Ginseng is sometimes accidentally collected with Senega Root ( Polygala Senega, Linn.) and with Virginian Snake Root ( Aristolochia Serpentaria, Linn.), but is easily detected, being less wrinkled and twisted and yellower in colour. It is occasionally found with the collected root of Cypripedium parviflorum (Salis) and Stylophorum diphyllum (Nuttall). [27] Habitat Ginseng is distinguished as Asiatic or Chinese Ginseng. It is a native of Manchuria, Chinese Tartary and other parts of eastern Asia, and is largely cultivated there as well as in Korea and Japan. [27] For successful cultivation of Ginseng in America, it is stated that a loose, rich soil, with a heavy mulch of leaves and about 80 per cent shade - generally provided artificially is necessary. It is difficult to cultivate it here with success. [27]


Caso Marasco A, Vargas Ruiz R, Salas Villagomez A, Begona Infante C. Double-blind study of a multivitamin complex supplemented with ginseng extract. [8] The patients who received ginseng had a lower incidence of influenza and colds, higher antibody titers, and higher natural killer cell activity levels. Another study 19 in 60 healthy volunteers showed enhanced chemotaxis, phagocytosis, increased total lymphocyte count, and increased numbers of T helper cells in those who received G115 in a dosage of 100 mg twice daily for eight weeks. [8] Yun TK, Choi SY. Non-organ specific cancer prevention of ginseng: a prospective study in Korea. [8]

Ernst E. The risk-benefit profile of commonly used herbal therapies: ginkgo, St. John's wort, ginseng, echinacea, saw palmetto, and kava. [8] Ginseng products are popularly referred to as "tonics," a term that has been replaced by "adaptogens" in much of the alternative medicine literature. [8] Scaglione F, Cattaneo G, Alessandria M, Cogo R. Efficacy and safety of the standardized Ginseng extract G115 for potentiating vaccination against the influenza syndrome and protection against the common cold. [8] Sotaniemi EA, Haapakoski E, Rautio A. Ginseng therapy in non-insulin-dependent diabetic patients. [8]


Siberian ginseng ( Eleutherococcus senticosus ) is not a ginseng at all. It is another adaptogen, but a different species named "Siberian ginseng" as a marketing ploy; instead of a fleshy root, it has a woody root; instead of ginsenosides, eleutherosides are present, ( see below ). [10] Red ginseng is always produced from cultivated roots, usually from either China or South Korea. [10] Drying in the sun bleaches the root to a yellowish-white color. The form called red ginseng is harvested after six years, is not peeled and is steam-cured, thereby giving them a glossy reddish-brown coloring. Steaming the root is thought to change its biochemical composition and also to prevent the breakdown of the active ingredients. [10] According to Traditional Chinese Medicine Panax Ginseng promotes Yang energy, improves circulation, increases blood supply, revitalizes and aids recovery from weakness after illness, stimulates the body. [10]

Originally, American ginseng was imported into China via subtropical Guangzhou, the seaport next to Hong Kong, so Chinese doctors believed that American ginseng must be good for Yin, because it came from a hot area. However they did not know that American ginseng can only grow in temperate regions. [10] Wild ginseng is ginseng that has not been planted and cultivated domestically, rather it is that which grows naturally and is harvested from wherever it is found to be growing. It is considered to be superior to field farmed ginseng by various authorities, and it has been shown to contain higher levels of ginsenoside. [10]

Most North American ginseng is produced in the Canadian provinces of Ontario and British Columbia and the American state of Wisconsin, according to Agri-food Canada. [10] "A placebo-controlled trial of a proprietary extract of North American ginseng (CVT-E002) to prevent acute respiratory illness in institutionalized older adults". [10] A randomized, double-blind study shows that an extract of American ginseng reduces influenza cases in the elderly when compared to placebo. [10]

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, American Ginseng promotes Yin energy, cleans excess Yang in the body, calms the body. [10]

Panax Ginseng is available in two forms: The form called white ginseng is grown for four to six years, and then peeled and dried to reduce the water content to 12% or less. [10] "Anticarcinogenic effect of Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer and identification of active compounds.". [10] "Effects of red ginseng upon postoperative immunity and survival in patients with stage III gastric cancer.". [10] In 2002, a preliminary double-blind, crossover study of Korean red ginseng's effects on impotence reported that it can be an effective alternative for treating male erectile dysfunction. A study of ginseng's effects on rats show that while both White ginseng and Red ginseng reduce the incidence of cancer, the effects appear to be greater with Red ginseng. [10] "A double-blind crossover study evaluating the efficacy of Korean red ginseng in patients with erectile dysfunction: a preliminary report". [10]

Treasure contacted Natrol by email and discovered within ten minutes that there was no Panax ginseng in the formula, but instead eleutherococcus which was then called by the popular name "Siberian ginseng" and it was given in a subclinical dosage mixed with a variety of other herbs. [10] Herbalist Jonathan Treasure of the United States National Institute of Mental Health traces the growth of misinformation on an alleged adverse herb-drug interaction between the monoamine oxidase inhibitor phenelzine and Asian ginseng ( Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer). This originally was mentioned in a 1985 editorial by Shader and Greenblatt in the Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology. [10] The reason it has been claimed that American ginseng promotes Yin (shadow, cold, negative, female) while East Asian ginseng promotes Yang (sunshine, hot, positive, male) is that, according to traditional Korean medicine, things living in cold places are strong in Yang and vice versa, so that the two are balanced. [10]

"The cancer-preventive potential of Panax ginseng: a review of human and experimental evidence". [10] Although no improved varieties have been developed, American ginseng shows variations in certain characteristics, particularly in the roots. Plants from the northern part of the country, particularly Wisconsin and New York, are considered good breeding stock, because they furnish roots of good size, weight and shape. [4]

American ginseng is similar to Asian ginseng, Panax ginseng, L., which grows wild in Northern Manchuria and has been harvested there for thousands of years. Ginseng is prized in the Orient for its purported curative properties. [4] Heavy use of manure or commercial fertilizers lessens the resemblance of cultivated ginseng to the wild root and hence may reduce marketability. [4] More than 90% of the cultivated ginseng grown in the United States is grown in Wisconsin, and 90 to 95% of Wisconsin-grown ginseng is produced in Marathon County. It is estimated that Wisconsin grew 3,000 to 5,000 acres of ginseng in 1990, and sales of the root earned almost $70 million for farmers in Marathon County. [4] American ginseng ( Panax quinquefolius, L.) is a perennial herb native to the deciduous forests of the eastern United States. [4]


History shows that early Chinese emperors placed great value in ginseng. Early emperors proclaimed its roots as having many uses, primarily as a tonic or stimulant for both physical and mental disorders (9). It was used for increasing fertility and sexuality, and most importantly for strengthening the body. [14] Because the "ideal" ginseng root represents the human body, the plant is supposedly a cure-all, panacea, for the entire body (8). [14] The word ginseng is derived from the Chinese term jen-shen, meaning "shaped like a man". Old roots, some nearly a century old with many scars, commanded very high prices because the plant's longevity was said to be transferred to individuals who consumed them (2). [14] According to recent reports it appears that the most promising of the substitutes may be Eleutherococcus senticosus, a Far Eastern forest shrub which is also in the Araliaceae family. The extract from its roots has exactly the same properties as that of ginseng (1). This discovery is important, since the natural supply of Eleutherococcus senticosus is enormous and virtually untouched. [14] Ginseng is a perennial herb 60-80 cm tall. Its root is fleshy, often bifurate and aromatic. [14] Ginseng has long been recognized as an herb possessing great value. The first written record of the use of ginseng can be found in a Chinese Herbal dated in the 1st Century B.C. This Chinese Herbal, Shen-nung pen ts'ao ching, was surely preceded by a long verbal history of ginseng for in ancient China, ginseng was always held in the highest esteem as a powerful drug (5). [14] The taste is sweetish at first, with a somewhat bitter aftertaste (4). In old China, the age of ginseng roots was ascertained according to the number of "rings" on its surface. [14]

In cultivating ginseng, ripe seeds are gathered in the fall from plants that begin to produce fruit, red berries, after the third year. [14] Since ginseng produces only one aerial shoot for each growing season, the number of stem scars on the rhizome may also be used for establishing the age of the plant. [14] An estimated 5-6 million Americans used ginseng products by the late 1970s (2). [14] The first shipment of ginseng to China after the American Revolution is reported to have been made by John Jacob Astor from New York in 1782. [14]

From 1980 to 1983, some 1,197 metric tons of domestic (wild and cultivated) ginseng were exported from the United States. The average value per pound was $62.47, exported to destinations such as Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, Oceania, and Canada. Japan and South Korea both export processed Asiatic ginseng to Hong Kong although much of the ginseng from Japan is originally from South Korea and is merely transshipped (2). [14] The life span of ginseng plants has been reported to be from thirty to three hundred years old. [14] The Soviet Academy of Sciences' Ginseng Committee conducted extensive research on the plant. [14] In the early 1970s, symposiums on ginseng held in South Korea and research reports claimed that the herb stimulated protein synthesis, lowered blood sugar and cholesterol levels, regulated the metabolism rate, and protected against stress and could therefore reduce mortality. [14]


In China, ginseng is the most used herb, where it has been used for more than 7000 years. [5] Panax ginseng synonyms : Asian ginseng, Asiatic ginseng, Chinese ginseng, Gincosan (a combination of 120mg Ginkgo biloba and 200mg Panax ginseng), ginseng asiatique, ginseng radix, ginseng root, Japanese ginseng, jintsam, Korean red, Korean red ginseng, ninjin, Oriental ginseng, P. ginseng, P. schinseng, red ginseng, ren shen, sang, shen. [25] Siberian ginseng synonyms : Acanthopanax senticosus, ci wu jia, ciwujia, devil's bush, devil's shrub, eleuthera, eleuthero, eleuthero ginseng, eleutherococ, eleutherococcus, eleutherococci radix, Eleutherococcus senticosus, shigoka, touch-me-not, wild pepper, wu-jia, wu-jia-pi, ussuri, ussurian thorny pepperbrush. These uses have been tested in humans or animals. [25]

Siberian ginseng does not contain the ginsenosides that are present in the Panax species, which are believed to be active ingredients and have been studied scientifically. [25]

H erbal remedies known as "ginseng" are based on the roots of several distinct species of plants, mainly Korean or Asian ginseng (Panax ginseng), Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus), and American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius). All of these species are in the Araliaceae plant family, but each has its own specific effects on the body. [8]

Ginseng roots are sold at higher prices if the root is larger, older, shaped like a man, wild (verses cultivated), woods-grown (verses artificial shade and field grown). [11]

In 1999, quite a few pounds of field-cultivated, dried ginseng roots, produced under artificial shade, sold for $10 per pound. That price has been reduced by 75 percent in the last 10 years. Why should there be such a difference in the prices paid for wild and cultivated ginseng? Most of the ginseng, grown or gathered from the wild in the United States, is exported to Asian countries for sale. [3]


ConsumerLab.com has found problems in many ginseng supplements over the years. In this newest Review, six products failed to pass testing due to lead contamination, lack of ingredient, or inadequate labeling. One product had less than 10% of its claimed amount of ginsenosides despite its "EXTRA STRENGTH" label. [28] Specific types of ginseng may be helpful in diabetes control, the prevention of respiratory infections, sexual enhancement and other uses. [28] To get the full report covering 20 ginseng supplements, along with our recommendations, you must SUBSCRIBE SUBSCRIBE or LOG IN LOG IN now. [28] The root of Asian ginseng contains active chemical components called ginsenosides (or panaxosides) that are thought to be responsible for the herb's medicinal properties. [21] Some studies have shown that Asian ginseng may lower blood glucose. Other studies indicate possible beneficial effects on immune function. [21] Asian ginseng is one of several types of true ginseng (another is American ginseng, Panax quinquefolius ). [21] Asian ginseng is native to China and Korea and has been used in various systems of medicine for many centuries. [21]


IN-DEPTH

Section Contents:

* Scientists at the Beijing Institute of Geriatrics conducted a study on the direct effects of Rg1, extracted from Panax ginseng, on lymphocytes of aged people.(More…)

* The ginseng is sliced and a few slices are simmered in hot water to make a decoction.(More…)

* The first frosts of fall kill the leafy top, but a new top grows up the following spring, from an underground bud on the perennial root.(More…)

* Yuan CS, Wei G, Dey L, et al. Brief communication: American ginseng reduces warfarin's effect in healthy patients: a randomized, controlled Trial.(More…)

* Ginseng is the common name of two species of Panax of the family Araliaceae.(More…)

* Thousands of clinical, laboratory and animal studies have been performed to investigate the actions and chemistry of ginseng.(More…)

* Properties Ginseng herb has a long history of use as an alternative medicine going back over 5,000 years, and appears on several continents (origin unknown), it is and was used extensively in Native American medicine.(More…)

* Wild ginseng once thrived along most of the nation's eastern seaboard, from Maine to Alabama and west to Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota.(More…)

* Treatment claims for Asian ginseng are numerous and include the use of the herb to support overall health and boost the immune system.(More…)

* Ginseng stimulates the formation of blood vessel and improves blood circulation in the brains, thereby improving memory and cognitive abilities.(More…)

* If it is cultivated using fertilizers and persticides, you can start harvesting the roots in about 4-5 years, but wild ginseng gets a much better price.(More…)

* Apparently, the Chinese people prefer wild ginseng over cultivated because it more closely resembles the revered wild Asian ginseng ( Panax ginseng, C. A. Meyer).(More…)

* Most published research studies have used a standardized Panax ginseng extract in a dosage of 200 mg per day.(More…)

* Then we can email you late-breaking news, product reviews, Ginseng feedback Ginseng feedback from other readers, and answers to readers' specific questions.(More…)

* There is also some evidence that ginseng can boost immune function, helping the body fight off infection during times of stress.(More…)

* Ginseng is used to treat anemia, diabetes, gastritis and other conditions, including anti-aging.(More…)

* CAUTION: Don't take Ginseng and Ginseng mixtures with Coffee as it will accelerate the caffeine effects on the body and can cause diarrhea.(More…)

* Each berry contains one to three flat seeds. Ginseng appears to be self-pollinated.(More…)

* Entire blocks of hardwoods were completely defoliated, thus allowing full sun to reach the forest floor and burn the tender leaves of our native ginseng plants.(More…)

* Ginseng has had beneficial effects on women suffering post-menopausal symptoms.(More…)

* The term "adaptogen" connotes an agent that purportedly "increases resistance to physical, chemical, and biological stress and builds up general vitality, including the physical and mental capacity for work." 1(p236) Over-the-counter Panax ginseng products include Celestial Seasonings Ginseng, Centrum Herbals Ginseng, Korean Ginseng Extract from Nature's Way, Nature Made's Chinese Red Panax Ginseng, Pharmaton's Ginsana, and PhytoPharmica's Ginseng Phytosome.(More…)

* Oak hickory, beech, poplar, and walnut trees are good, although oak leaves do not decompose quickly and may smother small plants.(More…)

* Age does not determine the size of a ginseng root.(More…)

* Ginseng is an herb that has been used for centuries in the Orient for medicinal purposes.(More…)

* Wisconsin has the ideal climate and mineral-rich soil conditions for growing the perfect ginseng root.(More…)

* Closely related to Panax ginseng, wild American ginseng ( Panax quinquefolius ) was widely used by Native Americans.(More…)

* The style is fused into a column on the tip.(More…)

* With respect to distribution P. ginseng, Asian ginseng, is native of Manchuria and Korea and presently cultivated in Korea and Japan.(More…)

* Perhaps the world's best-known herb, Panax ginseng has been used medicinally in Asia for more than 5,000 years.(More…)

* Ginseng is an herbal medication derived from the root of the Panax genus of plants.(More…)

* Since the wild American ginseng is an endangered species, Canada requires that the applicant of sale and shipping of ginseng submit "An Application for Permit to Export Endangered Species" of the CITES forms.(More…)

* Ginseng is considered "energizing," but has not been shown to stimulate the central nervous system the way coffee does.(More…)

* Ginseng was also associated with a significant decrease in warfarin anticoagulation in one case.(More…)

* American ginseng has become very prized in Asia, and most American ginseng is imported to Asian markets.(More…)

* Every year, new members join our Association and we increase the total acreage of ginseng being grown.(More…)

* Ginseng is accepted as safe for food consumption by Canada and the USA (FDA).(More…)

* Brekham, an early pioneer in the study of ginseng, labeled it an "adaptogen" because it appeared to protect the body against stress and restore homeostasis.(More…)

* With that said, we ask you to please feel confident in our assessments of the quality and ages of our roots.(More…)

* Because wild ginseng commands prices well over $200 per lb., much wild ginseng is being dug at a very young age and early in the season before the plants have a chance to produce seed.(More…)

* Wisconsin Ginseng is known worldwide as the purest, highest quality ginseng.(More…)

* Currently, sales of ginseng bring in around $5 million annually to Kentucky diggers of wild ginseng and growers of cultivated ginseng.(More…)

* Who will speak for the plants The gentle flowers cloistered in quiet meadow and lonely wood Plants whose power is in their softness Or in their strange difference?(More…)

* In a clinical evaluation conducted by ITM in 1979 (8), participants were provided high quality ginseng powder (provided by the Ginseng Research Institute of Seoul Korea) at a substantial dose (either 3.0 or 4.5 grams per day of the powdered root; except for the placebo group) and were interviewed after three weeks of daily use of the ginseng.(More…)

* Differences between Panax quinquefolium L. and Panax ginseng L. (Asian ginseng) are based on consumer perceptions, uses in traditional Chinese medicine (one is classified as "cool," the other as "hot"), and marketing strategies, rather than pharmacological studies using Western methodology.(More…)

* Our mission is to represent Wisconsin Ginseng producers as the worldwide leader of the American Ginseng industry, committed to the advertising, promotion and the sale of Wisconsin Ginseng, the purest ginseng in the world.(More…)

* Retaining Harmful Agents in the Body: Traditional Chinese medicine prescribes ginseng as an adjuvant for patients with general weakness and suffering from the common cold.(More…)

* For further information on ginseng cultivation, consult the N.C. Cooperative Extension Service Bulletin AG-323, Ginseng Production Guide for North Carolina.(More…)

* Although our crop is cultivated, it is genetically indistinguishable from wild ginseng.(More…)

* Chinese ginseng, korean ginseng and american ginseng are all known as adaptogenic longevity herbs.(More…)

* Export, Wholesale, Mail-order: ginseng roots, ginseng powder, ginseng capsule, ginseng tea, ginseng-root gift box, ginseng-slice gift box, Alaska fish oil, VE skin oil, lecithin, shark cartilage, melatonin, and other food supplements and health products.(More…)

* Roland American Ginseng, located in Marathon, WI, is 100% Genuine Wisconsin ginseng. 90% of all American ginseng comes from the Wisconsin ginseng belt.(More…)

* For most of us, roots that have been allowed to mature for 5 years or longer in good soil and environmental conditions, and harvested at the correct time of year 3,4,5,6 are thought to have stronger therapeutic qualities.(More…)

* Illinois law only regulates commerce in the roots of ginseng, not leaves or seeds. (More…)

* Crude dried ginseng roots normally show considerable variability in content during formal testing of non-commercial products (typical range: 2.2-5.2%), with white ginseng having the lower amounts and red ginseng having the higher amounts (during drying, ordinary white ginseng loses active constituents as a result of the plant's own enzymes degrading them; to make red ginseng, the roots are steamed, which inactivates the enzymes and preserves the active constituents).(More…)

* Welcome to the home of the Imberger Ginseng Farm, Inc. Your home for the finest quality 100% pure American Ginseng products.(More…)

* In the Ginseng family there are American, Korean, Chinese and Siberian ginsengs.(More…)

* Habitat: Panax Ginseng is native to China and cultivated extensively in China, Korea, Japan and Russia.(More…)

* When purchasing Panax ginseng labels should be checked for clear identification of the plant genus utilized, as substitution occurs.(More…)

Scientists at the Beijing Institute of Geriatrics conducted a study on the direct effects of Rg1, extracted from Panax ginseng, on lymphocytes of aged people. [12] Panax ginseng has been demonstrated to suppress the development of adaptation to psychological stress in mice (Nguygen et al., 1995). Other scientists studied the effects Vietnamese ginseng saponins, especially R2, had on psychological stress and foot shock stress-induced antinociception in mice. It was found that acute administration of VG crude saponin significantly suppressed the antinociceptive response caused by the psychological stress. [12] Stimulatory effect of saponin from Panax ginseng on immune function of lymphocytes in the elderly. [12]

Twenty-nine of the men were given Siberian ginseng extract, while another group received a placebo. [12]


The ginseng is sliced and a few slices are simmered in hot water to make a decoction. [10] Ginseng root is native to eastern Asia and North America, and has been in use as a folk medicine and tonic amongst the peoples of China, Korea, Thailand, Viet Nam and Manchuria, as well as amongst Native Americans, for untold thousands of years. [13] Approximately 29 ginsenocides, known by their scientific name "tripterpenoid saponins" and also sometimes called panaxosides, have been identified in ginseng root. These ginsenocides have been demonstrated to have a powerful function as an adaptogen, invaluable in helping the body adapt to and recover from the effects of stress, disease, and fatigue. They also contain a strong anti-oxidant component that has been shown in clinical studies to aid in combatting the effects of aging. [13]

Ginseng takes several years to mature, with most roots cultivated when the plant is between 3-10 years old. [13] The plant itself is very attractive, with well shaped green leaves and bright red berries; however it is only the root that has any medicinal value. Its original name means Man Root, due to the shape of the ginseng root which strongly resembles the form of a human body. [13]


The first frosts of fall kill the leafy top, but a new top grows up the following spring, from an underground bud on the perennial root. It takes seven or eight years for American ginseng plants to grow to maturity in a natural woodland habitat. [3] The Chinese have become very adept at growing excellent quality cultivated American ginseng roots. [3] The prices paid for ginseng grown under wild simulated cultivation are normally the same as prices paid for wild ginseng roots. [3] Current price information is easy to obtain from several sources. Marketing wild simulated American ginseng roots is easy because market demand is very strong for this scarce commodity. [3] American ginseng roots are offered for sale in shopsand stores throughout China. The chinese believe that ginseng is a panacea for their health. [3] Hong Kong has traditionally absorbed the bulk of North American ginseng, accounting for a consistent 80 percent of all purchases of unprocessed root (Bozak and Bailey, 1995). [3]


Yuan CS, Wei G, Dey L, et al. Brief communication: American ginseng reduces warfarin's effect in healthy patients: a randomized, controlled Trial. [25] Coleman CI, Hebert JH, Reddy P. The effects of Panax ginseng on quality of life. [25] Hartley DE, Elsabagh S, File SE. Gincosan (a combination of Ginkgo biloba and Panax ginseng): the effects on mood and cognition of 6 and 12 weeks' treatment in post-menopausal women. [25]

Cicero AF, Derosa G, Brillante R, et al. Effects of Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus maxim.) on elderly quality of life: a randomized clinical trial. [25]

Vuksan V, Sievenpiper JL, Koo VY, et al. American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius L) reduces postprandial glycemia in nondiabetic subjects and subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus. [25] American ginseng synonyms : Anchi ginseng, Canadian ginseng, North American ginseng, Ontario ginseng, P. quincefolium, red berry, ren shen, sang, tienchi ginseng, Wisconsin ginseng. [25]

Hong B, Ji YH, Hong JH, et al. A double-blind crossover study evaluating the efficacy of korean red ginseng in patients with erectile dysfunction: a preliminary report. [25] Anderson GD, Rosito G, Mohustsy MA, et al. Drug interaction potential of soy extract and Panax ginseng. [25] Panax ginseng should not be confused with Siberian ginseng ( Eleutherococcus senticosus ). [25]


Ginseng is the common name of two species of Panax of the family Araliaceae. [14] Ginseng fragrances have been used in cosmetics, soaps, after shave cologne, and perfumes, including Jovan products and shampoo by Clairol. [14] Customers used it for treating rheumatism, anemia, insomnia and various other problems. Some purchased the ginseng products for their alleged aphrodisiac properties. [14] Shorter forms of the common name ginseng, "sang" and "seng", are used in the United States. Other common names include red-berry and five fingers. [14] Asiatic ginseng from eastern Siberia was reportedly used by Soviet cosmonauts and Olympic team trainees to reduce fatigue. [14]

Ginseng was so esteemed as a botanical drug that it was an important trade commodity, at times serving as payment for ransom and as payments of tribute to the Chinese government (3). [14] The earliest plantations were in southeastern Manchuria and what is present day North Korea (5). Missionaries in China during the early 1700s became aware of ginseng and subsequently their knowledge of its commercial value spread to eastern North America. [14] In 1773 the sloop "Hingham" sailed from Boston to China with 55 tons of ginseng on board. [14]

In the United States, ginseng has been sold without medical prescriptions in the forms of liquid extracts, capsules, chewing gum, teas, candy and even cigarettes. [14] Ginseng can be planted in seed beds, 25-50 seeds per square foot, in the spring to obtain seedlings. [14] Recent advances in our knowledge of morphology, cultivation and uses of ginseng. [14] After the dry fibrous rootlets are rubbed off, about 30 or more roots are needed to make one pound of dried ginseng. The dried roots are packed immediately for export in 100 pound or larger cylindrical, cardboard containers or drums to protect them from breaking and to avoid absorption of moisture (10). [14] Three tons of green ginseng roots will result in one ton of dried roots, the average amount harvested per acre. [14]


Thousands of clinical, laboratory and animal studies have been performed to investigate the actions and chemistry of ginseng. Much of this research has been performed in China, Korea and Japan. The best-documented effects of ginseng in humans are for improving resistance to stress and enhancing mental and physical performance under environmental stress, such as shift work, sleep deprivation, or rigorous athletic training. [18] In the western world today, ginseng is commonly considered an "adaptogenic" herb, meaning that it strengthens body functions and the immune system to help people adapt to the effects of physical stress. It is popularly used as a health-enhancing tonic and to increase energy and stamina during physical activity. [18] Ancient healers in India, Russia, China and Japan all revered ginseng for its medicinal and health-enhancing properties. In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), ginseng is used for many purposes, including normalizing blood pressure and blood sugar, as a sexual tonic for both men and women, and to strengthen overall health when the body is debilitated. [18]

In China, ginseng has been treasured since the dawn of written history, and at times was valued even more highly than gold. Western scientists are now beginning to direct their attention to this magnificent herb. [18] Ginseng is an adaptogen, an herb that can improve the body's overall ability to adapt to and cope with the negative effects of physical and environmental stress. [18]

In laboratory studies, ginseng has shown potential in protecting liver and heart health, regulating the function of reproductive hormones, normalizing cholesterol and blood sugar levels, and improving memory and learning. Studies in humans are needed to investigate the effectiveness of ginseng in these promising areas. [18] Most clinical studies on ginseng have utilized ginseng extract standardized to 4% ginsenosides at a dosage of up to 500 mg/day. [18] Clinical studies confirm that ginseng can help enhance endurance, reduce fatigue, and improve coordination and reaction time. [18] Some researchers recommend that ginseng should not be used continuously for periods of time longer than three months. [18]


Properties Ginseng herb has a long history of use as an alternative medicine going back over 5,000 years, and appears on several continents (origin unknown), it is and was used extensively in Native American medicine. [29] Cultivation: Ginseng requires a deep moist humus rich soil in a shady position in a woodland, growing well on north-facing slopes and in deep cool woodland areas. Plant into their permanent positions in late summer or early spring. It has a large, thick, fleshy, whitish, root, growing 3 to 4 inches in length, specimens have been found twice this size. [29]


Wild ginseng once thrived along most of the nation's eastern seaboard, from Maine to Alabama and west to Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota. It still grows wild, but it was over-harvested in the mid-1970s and was subsequently defined as an endangered species. [4] Postharvest seed maturation of American ginseng: stratification temperatures and delay of stratification. 1988. [4] The amount of Asian ginseng that is imported is about equal to the amount of higher-priced American ginseng that is exported. [4]


Treatment claims for Asian ginseng are numerous and include the use of the herb to support overall health and boost the immune system. [21] To date, research results on Asian ginseng are not conclusive enough to prove health claims associated with the herb. [21] Areas of recent NCCAM-funded research include Asian ginseng's interactions with other herbs and drugs and the herb's potential to treat chronic lung infection, impaired glucose tolerance, and Alzheimer's disease. [21]

An herb called Siberian ginseng or eleuthero ( Eleutherococcus senticosus ) is not a true ginseng. [21]


Ginseng stimulates the formation of blood vessel and improves blood circulation in the brains, thereby improving memory and cognitive abilities. [5] Ginseng is only overwhelmingly effective in certain circumstances and the "wonder drug" marketing techniques must be taken with a grain of salt. [12] While the discovery of ginseng in North America didn't occur until 1716 AD, herbalism and the inherent properties of Panax highly influenced the Chinese culture. In order to understand the ginseng industry today, a brief overview of its historical roots will shed some light on its current demand. [11] Environmental repercussions of harvesting ginseng prematurely are beginning to surface as the demand for the root increases. Over cultivation of wild roots roots (in Canada these populations are mostly found in Ontario and Quebec and are now classified as "imperiled to uncommon")and deforestation have also accelerated the endangerment of the ginseng species. [11] If the plant is not properly regulated, there is a chance that ginseng could become extinct due to cultivation of the root before it reaches reproductive maturity and excessive collecting for export, mostly to Asian countries. [11] Panax, which comes from the Greek word, essentially means heal-all, and the Latin word, quinquefolium, numbers the plants five leaves. Since ginseng has such a wide range of effects on human physiology, Western pharmacists have created a new term, adaptogen, in order to describe the normalizing effect the active ingredients of Panax were formerly classified under. [11] In recent years, ginseng, otherwise known as Panax, has acquired a new niche in the international market. This herbaceous perennial has been traded for the last 5,000 years. Why the sudden interest? In Eastern cultures, this slow-growing plant is famous for its ability to assist the body in battling stress and disease. [11] In the late 19th century, Canada began to propagate the herb by artificial shade. This was implemented in Ontario and British Columbia (in addition to the small quantities propagated in essentially all provinces), in attempt to cease reduction of the wild herb populations. In order to keep ginseng on the market, producers of the plant and public management agencies must improve their practices. [11] Effective for the 1999 harvest, export permits are to be issued only for mature wild and wild-simulated ginseng roots. [11] One can identify the ginseng plant by five leaflets and small, green-white flowers centered at the base of the leaves and its rhizome stem that is connected to a parsnip-like root. [11] The root is usually masticated. Otherwise, combining 1/2 teaspoon of the powered root with a hot cup of water can induce ginseng effects. [11]

Usually, the ginseng plant will produce seeds when it has grown 2 prongs (or leaves), at age 3 to 4 years. [11]


If it is cultivated using fertilizers and persticides, you can start harvesting the roots in about 4-5 years, but wild ginseng gets a much better price. [1] The Chinese do not value the artificial shade grown roots as highly as the natural grown wild ginseng, but the roots being usually twice as heavy means that you get twice as many pounds and it sells for about 1/4 or less of the price per pound of the wild. [1] Ginseng will not grow in a open field like corn or soy beans. It needs about 70%-80% shade and rotten leaves makes the perfect place. The closer it grows in its natural environment, the more it has the characteristics of wild ginseng. When planted under lath sheds or other artificial shade, the roots are heavier in weight, are shaped differently, and they grow faster. [1]


Apparently, the Chinese people prefer wild ginseng over cultivated because it more closely resembles the revered wild Asian ginseng ( Panax ginseng, C. A. Meyer). This Asian species has been an important component of Chinese folk medicine for over 4000 years (Konsler, 1983). [3] At the same time that Bob Beyfuss was testing the soils under wild ginseng stands in New York, Jim Corbin, a Plant Pest Specialist with North Carolina's Department of Agriculuture, was conducting similar research in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in western North Carolina and East Tennessee. He conducted soil analysis from several wild ginseng stands and reported that, "In ginseng, calcium deficiencies can be seen in stunted plants that lack general vigor. [3]

American ginseng ( Panax quinquefolium, Araliaceae family) is a familiar plant to many people in the Southern Appalachian region. [3] Officials from the People's Republic of China - Ministry of Agriculture told the American visitors that China will be self sufficient in American ginseng by the year 2000 (Hankins, 1997). They were referring to cultivated American ginseng. [3] American ginseng growing under artificial shade in Jilin Province, People's Republic of China. [3] Usually theft problems do not begin until the ginseng is somewhat mature, so there will probably be no real financial loss. It is quite possible to grow American ginseng without experiencing any theft problems. It is highly recommended that anyone attempting to grow ginseng this way keep quiet about the enterprise. There are approximately 300 landowners in Virginia growing ginseng today and they all prefer to remain anonymous. [3] American ginseng is native to many states, east of the Mississippi River, in the United States. It prefers a cool, temperate climate and is only found in the mountainous regions of the Southern states. It also grows naturally in the Eastern provinces of Canada. [3] The forested lands that are so abundant in the United States do not exist to any large degree in China. Without access to hardwood forests, they do not have the capability to establish naturalized populations of American ginseng. [3]

The stratification requirements for ginseng force everyone to plant in the fall. That seed needs to come out of the stratification box and into the soil after 12 months. [3] In the past, growers have been told to treat soil, with a pH that low, with lime to try to bring the soil pH up to 5.5 to 6.0 for ginseng production. Recent research by Bob Beyfuss in Greene County in the state of New York calls this practice into question. [3] The new idea is to apply gypsum (Calcium sulphate) to soils for ginseng rather than lime (Calcium carbonate) which has been used in the past. The reasoning behind this is that the gypsum will add calcium but will not raise the soil pH. Rates as high as 5 pounds of gypsum per 100 square feet of growing bed have been recommended to bring the calcium levels up to 4000 pounds per acre. [3]

When ginseng is grown in an open field under artificial shade, the stressful conditions which wild ginseng plants must face are eliminated. [3] There are constant reports about the low prices being paid for cultivated ginseng crops grown in Wisconsin. [3] Cultivated ginseng does not have to compete with woodland plants for nutrients or water. [3]


Most published research studies have used a standardized Panax ginseng extract in a dosage of 200 mg per day. Other sources 2,23,27 recommend 0.5 to 2 g of dry root per day on a short-term basis, with the ginseng taken in tea form or chewed. [8] Panax ginseng also appears to have anti-cancer effects. In a prospective cohort study 23 of 4,364 persons older than 40 years, the risk of cancer was shown to be lower in those who used ginseng (relative risk: 0.40). Interpretation of documented adverse effects and drug interactions can be difficult because of the variety of available ginseng formulations, and because the exact amount of ginseng in these products may not be identified. [8] Most of the clinical studies investigating the value of Panax ginseng in enhancing physical performance have shown no clinical effect. 14 One study 15 on the use of 200 mg per day of G115 in 19 healthy adult women showed no change in physical work performance, energy metabolic responses, or oxygen uptake. [8]

The effects of Panax ginseng, given in a dosage of 100 or 200 mg per day for eight weeks, were studied in 36 patients with newly diagnosed non-insulin-dependent diabetes. 21 The study showed improved fasting blood glucose levels, elevated mood, and improved psychophysical performance on a numbered diagram test. [8]


Then we can email you late-breaking news, product reviews, Ginseng feedback Ginseng feedback from other readers, and answers to readers' specific questions. [30] Ginseng is native to North America, and has been in use by Native Americans for thousands of years. [13] A slice of ginseng root about the size of a nickel, or a piece around the size of a small nut is best. Native Americian Indians used to chew on ginseng when running great distances in order to maintain their stamina. [13] Bulk pre-powdered ginseng available in small containers can pose the same problems as ginseng capsules; you must be very certain that second-rate roots were not used in the powder, and that no fillers were added. [13] Dried ginseng root has been the most commonly available form of ginseng in Asia for thousands of years. [13] Many authorities recommend from 1 to 2 grams of pure high quality ginseng powder per day, but this may be difficult to follow if you are ingesting ginseng in a tea, or in a capsule that may not contain pure ginseng or top quality root. [13] Many of the ginseng capsules on the market do not contain pure ginseng, and may include any number of fillers. Even those capsules that are pure ginseng may be made from root hairs, discards, and very young or otherwise inferior grade roots. [13] An easier guide, when purchasing dried ginseng root, is to eat 2-8 pieces each day, spread out over the course of the day. [13] Dried ginseng root can be softened without making tea by placing several pieces together in a microwave on medium or high for a few minutes at most. Great care must be exercised not to let the roots become scorched, or they will be rendered unpalatable. [13]

A perennial plant, ginseng is often found in heavily wooded areas and requires rich soil to thrive. [13] Beware of teas containing several ingredients and claiming to include ginseng in the mix. They often turn out to contain inconsequentially minute amounts, if any. In a recent study an astounding number of items including teas and soft drinks that advertised the addition of ginseng had in fact no ginseng at all present in their products. [13]


There is also some evidence that ginseng can boost immune function, helping the body fight off infection during times of stress. [18] Today ginseng root is available commercially in a number of forms including dried root, liquid extract, powder, capsule and tablet. [18] Taking large doses of ginseng in combination with stimulants, including caffeine, is not recommended. Ginseng is best avoided by those with high blood pressure or anxiety conditions and during pregnancy. [18] Substitutes - A substitute for Ginseng, somewhat employed in China, is the root of Codonopsis Tangshen, a bell-flowered plant, used by the poor as a substitute for the costly Ginseng. [27]


Ginseng is used to treat anemia, diabetes, gastritis and other conditions, including anti-aging. It's no wonder then that this medicinal plant should gain popularity in Western countries, particularly in the health food industry. [11] Ginseng Root Photograph by Welcome-To-China. http://www.welcome-to-china.com. [11] The word ginseng, or Fin-chen of Schin-seg, gives yet another name to the root, which means man root or likeness to man. [11] Around 100 AD, the first herbal pharmacology book was published by the naturalist, Sheng Neng Pen-T'sao. "In order to test for the true ginseng, two persons walk together, one with a piece of ginseng root in his mouth, and the other with his mouth empty. If at the end of three to five li (about a mile and a quarter) the one with ginseng in his mouth does not feel himself tired, while the other is out of breath, the ginseng is genuine root." [11]

Herbalism (and hence the use of ginseng) remained an essential aspect of Chinese culture and tradition, focusing on the importance of maintaining the human inner balance and monitoring environment and climate changes as the instigators of illness. [11] The United States enjoys a variety of ginseng products, imported largely from China, Hong Kong, Korea and Canada. [11]

In 1994, the world ginseng community collaborated for the first time at an international ginseng conference (Proctor and Bailey 1987). The concern for the future of the plant was acknowledge on an international level and many issues were assessed, especially those focusing on the challenges that the industry faces in the next decade. [11] Organic- residue free. Ginseng plants cannot be harvested too early if they are to reach reproductive age. [11]

Beyond ginseng tea, panax now adds flavor to chewing gum, chicken soup, porridge, seven-up/sprite, jelly, honey and even wine. [11] Word to the wise; do not take ginseng with coffee since the effects may induce gastrointestinal upset. Some Western doctors have begun to prescribe ginseng base on its medicinal properties. [11] Due to the Asian economic turmoil, U.S. ginseng farmers are experiencing a blow to ginseng prices. [11] The most common use of ginseng is to get an energy boost and avoid sleepiness. [11] An agricultural clan leader, Shen Nung, who lived around 3494 BC, conducted experiments on himself in order to understand medicinal properties of different herbs. It is said that Shen had a crystal belly which he could watch the reactions of the herbs and save himself from a poison induced terminal fate. Legend has it that he recorded his experiments in a book called "Shen Nung Benchau Jing" (The Medicine Book of Shen Nung). Ginseng was among Shen's contributions in his wisdom on herbalism. [11] Due to the herb's medicinal attributes, exotic recipes that have either incorporated the herb with original ingredients, or introduced the herb into the recipe, ginseng has gained popularity in the culinary arena. [11]

Although trade implications regarding ginseng and the like have not been formally introduced into the WTO appellate reviews and doctrines, under CITES, member countries must fulfill obligations to the Convention, including management and control governing trade of wildlife and wildlife products. [11] Ginseng contents also include many minerals and nutrients, which are absorbed from the soil during growth stages. [11] "What is CITES". http://www.wcmc.org.uk/CITES/eng/what-is.shtml. Inouye, David W. "Does the United States meet its CITES treaty obligations in the trade of ginseng?". [11] Canada, the United States, and Australia have employed a regulatory agency to withhold the act's provisions by requiring permits on the trade of ginseng. [11]

There is evidence that ginseng stimulates carbohydrate metabolism in the liver, increases/decreases blood pressure, improves memory and brain functions, assists sleep disorders, and stimulates cell growth. [11] Farmers began to utilize artificial shade to continue supplying to ginseng consumers. [11]


CAUTION: Don't take Ginseng and Ginseng mixtures with Coffee as it will accelerate the caffeine effects on the body and can cause diarrhea. [29] Siberian ginseng has been shown to increase energy, stamina, and help the body resist viral infections and environmental toxins. [2]

Throughout the world, Wisconsin grown American Ginseng Root is highly prized and sought after for its medicinal and stress relieving qualities. [26] American ginseng has even been grown in wood lots, located in suburban neighborhoods, without any threat of theft. [3] To be assured of the best seed, growers should order and pay for ginseng seed in July or August. [3] The greatest threat to a crop of wild simulated ginseng is human theft. This problem is most common in regions where many people go out in the woods searching for wild ginseng. This activity, which is called "hunting sang," is part of the culture of the Southern Appalachian region. [3] The artificial shade cultivated ginseng industry in North America is collapsing. [3] When the soil test results come back, the most important numbers to look at for ginseng are the soil pH, available calcium (Ca) and available phosphorus (P). [3] The greatest problem associated with intensely cultivated ginseng is disease control. [3]


Each berry contains one to three flat seeds. Ginseng appears to be self-pollinated. Cultivated plants become increasingly larger until their fourth, fifth, or sixth year, after which growers usually harvest the roots for market. At this time, roots are up to 4" long, 1" thick, and are often forked. [6] Ginseng beds can be started with stratified seeds or with one or two-year-old roots. (Stratified seeds are seeds that have been kept in moist sand for about a year. If planted in the fall, they will germinate and produce plants the following spring.) [6] The age of a particular root can be estimated by counting the scars. Ginseng plants usually begin to lower and set seed in their third growing season. [6]

Many diseases can be controlled using fungicides; however, few compounds are cleared and labeled for use. Rodents, such as voles or field mice, can do a great deal of damage to established ginseng beds, especially in wooded areas where trees are used as shade. These creatures make holes into the beds or get into tunnels made by moles and then feed on the ginseng roots. Grain treated with zinc phosphide or Warfarin, is used by some growers to help solve this problem. [6]


Entire blocks of hardwoods were completely defoliated, thus allowing full sun to reach the forest floor and burn the tender leaves of our native ginseng plants. The hot sun caused many plants to lose their leaves or suffer as the one in the photo above. This root is at least 132 years old. [31] Each year we age, grade and sort hundreds of thousands of wild roots and are considered experts in the "aging" of ginseng roots. [31] If you reside outside of New York State, you will receive a certificate from the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation verifying that your purchase has been inspected and are true wild New York ginseng roots. [31]


Ginseng has had beneficial effects on women suffering post-menopausal symptoms. Ginseng has also demonstrated clinical improvements in virility among men, and effected improvements in conditions of sexual dysfunction for both sexes. [13] Extracts are also an effective means of ingesting ginseng, and are very popular in China. [13] The most popular ways of consuming ginseng root are as an infusion or as an extract. The dried roots can also be sliced for consumption by themselves or in combination with other foods such as honey. They can be powdered and added to foods that way, or the powder packed into gel capsules. To prepare as an infusion (tea) bring 24 ounces of water to a boil, preferably in a non-metallic container such as an enamel or porcelain pot, and then add 1-3 grams of dry whole or sliced ginseng root. [13]


The term "adaptogen" connotes an agent that purportedly "increases resistance to physical, chemical, and biological stress and builds up general vitality, including the physical and mental capacity for work." 1(p236) Over-the-counter Panax ginseng products include Celestial Seasonings Ginseng, Centrum Herbals Ginseng, Korean Ginseng Extract from Nature's Way, Nature Made's Chinese Red Panax Ginseng, Pharmaton's Ginsana, and PhytoPharmica's Ginseng Phytosome. [8] Scaglione F, Ferrara F, Dugnani S, Falchi M, Santoro G, Fraschini F. Immunomodulatory effects of two extracts of Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer. [8] The main active components of Panax ginseng are ginsenosides, which have been shown to have a variety of beneficial effects, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer effects. [8] The main active agents in Panax ginseng are ginsenosides, which are triterpene saponins. The majority of published research on the medicinal activity of Panax ginseng has focused on ginsenosides. 3 These are the compounds to which some ginseng products are now standardized. [8] Results of clinical research studies demonstrate that Panax ginseng may improve psychologic function, immune function, and conditions associated with diabetes. Overall, Panax ginseng appears to be well tolerated, although caution is advised about concomitant use with some pharmaceuticals, such as warfarin, oral hypoglycemic agents, insulin, and phenelzine. [8]

One of the most commonly used and researched of the ginsengs is Panax ginseng, also called Asian or Korean ginseng. [8] Panax ginseng is one of the most commonly used and highly researched species of ginseng. [8] Panax ginseng is used primarily to improve psychologic function, exercise performance, immune function, and conditions associated with diabetes (Table 1). [8]

Coon JT, Ernst E. Panax ginseng: a systematic review of adverse effects and drug interactions. [8] Wesnes KA, Ward T, McGinty A, Petrini O. The memory enhancing effects of a Ginkgo biloba/ Panax ginseng combination in healthy middle-aged volunteers. [8] Trials investigating the effects of Panax ginseng on various psychologic parameters have shown positive effects, no effects, or both. [8]

Many research trials have been performed on the standardized Panax ginseng extract Ginsana (G115). [8] Contraindications to the use of Panax ginseng include high blood pressure, acute asthma, acute infections, and nose bleeds or excessive menstruation. [8] Panax ginseng may interact with caffeine to cause hypertension, and it may lower blood alcohol concentrations. It also may decrease the effectiveness of warfarin (Coumadin). [8]

Hong B, Ji YH, Hong JH, Nam KY, Ahn TY. A double-blind crossover study evaluating the efficacy of korean red ginseng in patients with erectile dysfunction: a preliminary report. [8] Hall T, Lu Z, Yat PN, Fitzloff JF, Arnason JT, Awang DV, et al. Evaluation of consistency of standardized Asian ginseng products in the ginseng evaluation program. [8] Ginseng is commonly taken for long periods. 1,29 One source 1(p239) recommends a two-week ginseng-free period every two to three weeks for some persons. The authors indicate that they do not have any conflicts of interests. [8]


Oak hickory, beech, poplar, and walnut trees are good, although oak leaves do not decompose quickly and may smother small plants. Ginseng roots may be stunted or difficult to dig under shallow-rooted trees, and short-lived trees may leave gaps in the canopy as they die. [6] Plantings may be started by purchasing 1-year-old roots. This is more expensive than starting from seeds. There are two major advantages to starting with roots for the novice who wants firsthand experience at growing ginseng before attempting a larger commercial planting. [6] Many growers store and ship ginseng in large cardboard drums that hold 50 to 100 lb. of roots each. [6] Insects are not a major problem. Ginseng diseases occur on both foliage and roots. [6] Work is underway to obtain the information necessary for pesticide use on the crop. Insect pests of ginseng are basically those that feed on a variety of plants that grow in "ginseng-type" habitats. [6] Insects, diseases, rodents, weeds, and thieves may all plague ginseng gardens. Pesticides are rarely labeled for use on minor crops such as ginseng due to the substantial commitment of time and money necessary to obtain registration. [6] Only a limited amount of research has been done with the use of herbicides on ginseng beds. Hand pulling of weeds combined with the use of a mulch is the only recommendation at present. [6]


Age does not determine the size of a ginseng root. These roots have struggled for decades under harsh conditions and are considered by some to be very potent due to their constant battle with nature. [31] Our website is one of the most visited sites on the internet and has been used as a source of information by ginseng dealers, ginseng growers, wildcrafters and anyone with an interest in ginseng. Enter our site at the bottom of this page. [31] "The quality ginseng that will supply the market in the future will not come from the large corporate growers, but from a network of small independent and conscientious ginseng farmers." [31]

Bigger is not better when it comes to ginseng. Some of these potent little "Dynamos" are 50+ years old with long necks to prove it. [31] The sustainability of continued or increased wild harvest is questionable. As a result of these market factors, many former commercial ginseng growers in the U.S. and Canada have switched to other medicinal root crops or quit entirely. The United States monitors all trade in ginseng, whether wild or cultivated, within its borders and for export. All dealers or ginseng growers are required to register with the regulatory agency in their state. [9] Many companies can supply seed or plants for propagation. It may be best, however, to obtain healthy rootlets and raise one's own seed crop to avoid diseases.( 11 11 ) State regulations on harvesting seed from wild stands must be observed. In 2002 the long-running Panax listserve for commercial ginseng growers ceased operations when its moderator retired. [9] Native U.S. ginseng (and related species), goldenseal, and other medicinal roots are exported or used domestically in products regulated by the 1994 Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act. Most such crops are raised under contract by experienced growers. [9] On August 13, 1999, new U.S. Fish & Wildlife export restrictions on wild and "wild-simulated" ginseng roots went into effect. [9] Fall division of the root stocks is also a good means of propagation. This plant likes a humus-rich soil in deciduous forests with a pH of 4.5 to 7 (acid to neutral). It seems to like at least 75 percent shade, and can be grown in a similar habitat as ginseng and goldenseal. [9] Jones has published a useful guide to seed and root sources for black cohosh useful guide to seed and root sources for black cohosh (as well as blue cohosh, ginseng, and goldenseal) for Kentucky growers, as well as other Web resources. [9]


Ginseng is an herb that has been used for centuries in the Orient for medicinal purposes. [6] Ginseng may be grown under "artificial" shade in houses made of wood lath or polypropylene shade cloth. [6] Goldenseal is an excellent crop to follow ginseng since a second crop of ginseng usually cannot be grown economically on the same land. [6]


Wisconsin has the ideal climate and mineral-rich soil conditions for growing the perfect ginseng root. When consumers want the best ginseng, they ask for Wisconsin Ginseng; the world's finest. [7] In the Western world people are convinced of health benefits of ginseng. In China, the Korean ginseng roots are called Jin-chen, meaning like a man as they resemble the same shape our body. [5] Korean ginseng is a deciduous perennial herb that reaches a height of 60 to 80 cm, with typical light colored fleshy root. [5] The taste of the Korean ginseng root is sweetish at first but with a bitter aftertaste. [5] The main active ingredients of Korean ginseng are ginsenosides. These steroid-like phytochemicals have adaptogenic properties, which give ginseng property to counter the effects of stress. [5]


Closely related to Panax ginseng, wild American ginseng ( Panax quinquefolius ) was widely used by Native Americans. Unfortunately, this North American plant is becoming endangered in the wild because of over-collection and habitat loss. [18] The botanical name Panax comes from the Greek word panacea, meaning "cure all." The Chinese name for ginseng, ren shen, means "man root" for its characteristic shape that resembles the trunk, arms and legs of a human being. [18] The Asian ginseng most prized by the Chinese is Panax ginseng. Other Asian ginseng species include Japanese ginseng ( P. japonicus ) and sanchi or tienchi ginseng ( P. notoginseng. These plants all have somewhat different properties. [18]

Testing focused on Asian ginseng ( Panax ginseng ) (also called Korean or Chinese ginseng) and American ginseng ( Panax quinquefolius ). [28]

Panax ginseng is the Asian species and Panax quinquefolius is the American species. [14] The export of wild ginseng root from America to the Orient began in the early 1700s. [14] The Fromm operation funded research in the early 1970s on the possibility of using compounds from American ginseng in cancer research. [14]

As the demand for ginseng increased, cultivation of the plant was initiated to offset the dwindling supply of wild ginseng. [14] The ginseng root comes from the botanical Araliaceae family, which includes the plants known as Panax ginseng (native to China, and cultivated in Russia, Korea, and Japan) and Panax quinquefolius ginseng (from North America). Similar plants in appearance and attributes, which have been referred to as 'ginseng', are the Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus or eleuthero), the Brazilian ginseng (Pfaffia pniculata), women's ginseng (Angelica sinensis) and Acanthopanax sessiliflorus. [11] Canada, which was once the number one exporter of American ginseng, now prohibits the collection of wild roots for exportation due to the decrease in the population of the plant, largely as a result of habitat loss (due to logging and sub-urbanization, for example). [11] There is yin, the cooling force, and yang, the strong, hot force. Asian people culturally recognize ginseng as a regulator of the two forces (due to their incorporation of the herb into their disease pathology practice, see Traditional Chinese Medicine Traditional Chinese Medicine ); Asian ginseng representing the yang (invigorating blood flows) and North American ginseng representing yin (for the immune system and over all health). [11]


The style is fused into a column on the tip. It has five stigma lobes. Like other Ginseng, its roots are usually harvested in the fall. [23] There are also state regulations on collecting ginseng seed from wild stands. [9] Asian dealers now want only wild or "wild-simulated" U.S. ginseng, easily identified by an experienced botanicals dealer. This product is customarily marketed through private networks. [9] The greatest danger for wild-simulated ginseng growers and for caretakers of wild patches is not disease but human theft. [9] American consumers tend to shop on price alone and prefer easy-to-use capsules and lozenges. It is questionable whether U.S. consumer preferences can be shifted much to favor unprocessed forms of ginseng supplied by local growers. [9] The 2002 U.S. Farm Bill prohibits marketing any non- Panax species as "ginseng"; the status of all dietary supplements is under review by the National Organic Program. [9] Since 2002 U.S. federal law has reserved the commercial term "ginseng" for Panax species. [9]

According to Hankins ( 10 10 ), intensively cultivated plants are highly susceptible to ginseng blight. Disease problems associated with shadehouse-grown ginseng are so devastating that using fungicides to save an otherwise organically grown crop near the end of its multi-year cycle is a common industry practice. [9] Historically, more than 95% of commercial ginseng grown in the U.S. for export to Asia has been cultivated under shadecloth in Marathon County, Wisconsin. Now countries such as Canada, New Zealand, Australia (in Tasmania), Ecuador, and Chile, as well as China, have developed the capacity to compete for local and Pacific Rim markets. [9]

The purpose of the new regulations is to ensure that ginseng plants are not harvested prematurely (before seed production). [9] Wild and wild-simulated ginsengs come from natural woods in the Appalachian mountain ranges of the eastern U.S. (parts of Pennsylvania, New York, Kentucky, Tennessee, and West Virginia). [9] The nature of ginseng: Traditional use, modern research, and the question of dosage. [9] Contrary to a common misconception, marketable ginseng is not produced by alley cropping or agroforestry plantation methods, except in very small amounts in the Pacific Northwest for local use. [9]

Available for $5.00 from NY State Ginseng Assn., P.O. Box 127, Roxbury, NY 12474. [9] New York State Ginseng Association, Roxbury, NY. 24 p. Available for $5.00 from NY State Ginseng Assn., P.O. Box 127, Roxbury, NY 12474. [9]

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ( 9 9 ) can provide a list of state agencies that regulate ginseng. [9]

Security is the first concern of ginseng growers, because secluded ginseng patches are often the targets of thieves—especially as the ginseng nears maturity. [9] Goldenseal ( Hydrastis canadensis L.), a member of the buttercup family (Ranunculaceae), has approximately the same native range and environmental requirements as ginseng (moist woodlands of the eastern U.S.). [9]


With respect to distribution P. ginseng, Asian ginseng, is native of Manchuria and Korea and presently cultivated in Korea and Japan. [14]

Korean ginseng grows on moist and shaded mountainsides in China, Korea and Russia. [5] Korean ginseng is also used by women for treatment of post menopausal symptoms. [5] Ginseng is also used for diabetes, migraine, infections, radiation and chemotherapy protection, to aid in sleep, and to stimulate the appetite. Korean ginseng contains steroids such as panaxtriol. [5]

The steroids are remarkably similar in structure to anabolic steroids found naturally in our body. This makes Korean ginseng ideal for athletes and body builders looking for a natural alternative to anabolic steroid. [5]

Inhibition of benzo(a)pyrene induced lung adenoma by panax ginseng extract, EFLA400, in Swiss albino mice. [5] Korean ginseng is available as powder of the whole root, as cut and dried roots and as liquid or powder extracts. [5]


Perhaps the world's best-known herb, Panax ginseng has been used medicinally in Asia for more than 5,000 years. [18] American ginseng is now cultivated extensively, and environmentally conscious consumers look to cultivated sources of ginseng products. [18] Clinical Study: In a placebo-controlled, double-blind, 10-day trial involving 49 elderly patients, 1500 mg of red ginseng daily significantly improved self-assessments of well-being, reaction time, and psychological coordination (Fulder, et al. 1984). [18] Even within the single species Panax ginseng, different traditional preparation methods result in different actions. [18] "Red" Asian ginseng, for example, is steamed and cured, resulting in a product that is considered more stimulating than "white" ginseng. [18]


Ginseng is an herbal medication derived from the root of the Panax genus of plants. It has been used for several thousands years in Asia and its purported medicinal properties have reached mythic proportions. Daniel Boone traded ginseng, and in his diary, George Washington mentioned gathering the herb. [15] Ginseng is a member of the Araliacae family. The American ginseng plant, Panax Quinquefolius Panax Quinquefolius, has become in such high demand in Asia that more than 85% of American grown ginseng is exported to asian markets. [13] American ginseng is known by the scientific name Panax Quinquefolius, after the five-leaf formation common to the species. It contains almost twice as many ginsenosides as Asian ginseng, and is highly valued in the orient. [13]

In modern times red ginseng is often steamed during processing, which has the similar effect of changing the color to red. In both cases this is probably due to the caramelizing of sugars in the root. [13] Red ginseng is considered more warm, or "yang" than white ginseng. It has been theorized that the effect sun-drying or steam drying has on the ginsenocides, the principal active ingredients of ginseng root, may be no different than the effect caused by simply infusing a dried white root into tea. [13]

European settlers have used it since the early 1700s; Daniel Boone use to pick wild ginseng and sell it in colonial NY. By the early 1800s tons of ginseng were already being exported to Asia each year. [13] Asian ginseng is considered to be very "yang", or warm, and is often used for relatively limited periods of time. It contains roughly half the number of active ginsenocides found in American ginseng, which is considered to be cooler, or more "yin", and better suited for long term usage. [13] The best North American ginseng grows in Wisconsin and Ontario; with ginseng of almost equal quality being grown in the Catskills of New York and parts of Pennsylvania. [13]

The active principles in Siberian ginseng, called eleutherosides, are aromatic alcohol aglycones, the ginsenosides in Panax ginseng have triterpenoid aglycones. They appear to have a similar function on the human body, thus making Eleutheroccocus a cheaper substitute for real ginseng. [13] Siberian Ginseng, Panax Ginseng and Ginseng Quinquefolius are all members of the araliaceae family, Siberian ginseng (Eleutheroccocus senticosus) however belongs to an other genus than "true" ginsengs (Panax Ginseng and Panax Quinquefolius). [13]

Asian ginseng, including Korean, Manchurian, Vietnamese, and Chinese ginseng, is referred to by the scientific name Panax Ginseng or Panax Ginseng C.A. Meyer, after the Russian botanist Carl Anton Meyer who catalogued ginseng in 1843. [13]


Since the wild American ginseng is an endangered species, Canada requires that the applicant of sale and shipping of ginseng submit "An Application for Permit to Export Endangered Species" of the CITES forms. This must be approved by the Agriculture and Agri-food Canada agency. The United States has implemented similar regulatory procedures, enforced by its regulatory body, the Office of Scientific Authority and the Office of Management Authority. [11] Trade of American ginseng is regulated by the CITES of Wild Fauna and Flora in Appendix II. The federal government allows states to enforce CITES, however, exprts of ginseng must be approved by the USFWS. [11] Father Lafitau took advantage of the economic opportunity for France and the Jesuit Order upon discovering wild American ginseng near Montreal (Quebec) and exporting it to the Chinese. [11]

The trend for ginseng products is growing in the United States, increasing the demand for Panax imports. [11] Most common, Panax ginseng (native to China, and cultivated in Russia, Korea, and Japan) and Panax quinquefolius ginseng (from North America). [11] In China, any local import/export company is able to import North American ginseng. [11] Majority importer of American ginseng is Asia, especially China (Hong Kong). [11]

Environmentalist concerned about fertilizers and pesticides are questioning the cultivation process and changes in production methods. Recent developments in Asia have suggested eastern countries take action to preserve the Panax ginseng as formerly implemented with such intentions for the American ginseng. [11] Compared to $125 a pound in 1994, comprising over $100 million in export trade of American Ginseng, today the price has dropped to about $10 a pound. Many ginseng farmers in the U.S. have turned to the domestic market to compensate for their loss abroad. [11] "The north American Ginseng Market in Shanghai and the Yangzi Delta Region". http://atn-riae.agr.ca/public/htmldocs/e2860.html. [11] Of North American ginseng, Canada leads the USA in production by 30%, and holds the second largest market share. [11] There is an increasing demand for North American ginseng in Singapore, Taiwan, Malaysia and other ASEAN countries, along with Japan. [11]

Russia has proposed that wild Asian ginseng be listed in the Appendix II of CITES at the Eleventh Conference of the Parties to CITES, to occur in Nairobi, Kenya, April 10 through 20, 2000. [11] Each member state owns responsibility of enforcement and may elect individual measures of enforcement. Russia has proposed that wild ginseng be banned from trading at the Eleventh Conference of the Parties to CITES, to occur in Nairobi, Kenya, April 10 through 20, 2000, in order to ensure its future survival. [11] Many imports of wild ginseng to Hong Kong are in fact illegally harvested in Russia and may be traded via China and Singapore. [11] Interestingly, wild ginseng in China is protected and near extinction and Singapore has no wild ginseng. [11]

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) has implemented the first export restriction from the United States on the sale of wild ginseng. [11]


Ginseng is considered "energizing," but has not been shown to stimulate the central nervous system the way coffee does. [18] Over one billion people are reported to be using ginseng in one form or another. It can be described as an adaptogen. That is, it tends to have a normalizing effect on body functions, contributes to energy levels, and helps in reducing the effects of stress. It is these qualities that have led to the wide use of ginseng. [24] Pacific Rim Ginseng also caters to the grower by offering quality stratified ginseng seed and ginseng rootlets for fall planting. [24] There is, however, a growing acknowledgement in all cultures today that it is equally important to look at the underlying causes of the disease and practice preventive medicine with good diet, exercise, etc. Ginseng can play an important role in maintaining sound physical as well as mental health. [24]


Ginseng was also associated with a significant decrease in warfarin anticoagulation in one case. It is not known whether ginseng can cause the same side-effects as those described from long-term steroid use. Another potential safety issue surrounding the use of ginseng concerns its effects on coagulation pathways. Ginsenosides inhibit platelet aggregation in vitro and prolong both thrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time in rats. These findings await confirmation in humans. [15] Several individual ginsenosides suppressed tumor cell growth, induced cell differentiation, regulated programmed cell death, and inhibited metastasis. Results of a cohort study showed that ginseng consumers had a lower risk for several different types of cancer compared to those who did not consume ginseng, suggesting that ginseng may have non-organ-specific anticarcinogenic effects. [15] Ginsenosides appear to modulate neurotransmission through -aminobutyric acid (GABA), and by inhibiting neurotransmitter reuptake. The results of investigations of the cardiovascular effects of ginseng are often contradictory, depending on the compounds tested and the organ system in which they are tested. [15] The pharmacological profile of ginseng is broad and incompletely understood because of the many heterogeneous and sometimes opposing effects of different ginsenosides. [15]

Ginseng root is either dried to yield "white ginseng" or steamed and then dried to yield "red ginseng." [15] Data from animal studies suggest that ginseng may have beneficial effects in the central nervous system. [15] The estrogen-like effects of ginseng have been associated with postmenopausal vaginal bleeding and mastalgia. An interaction between ginseng and the monoamine oxidase inhibitor phenelzine resulted in headache, tremors, and mania. [15]

In a preliminary study, cardioplegia solution containing ginseng extract improved post-bypass myocardial function in patients having mitral valve surgery. [15] In patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, ginseng lowered postprandial blood glucose compared to placebo when taken 40 minutes before or at the same time as a glucose challenge. [15] One of the most promising therapeutic uses of ginseng surrounds the regulation of carbohydrate metabolism and blood glucose. [15] Early descriptions of a "ginseng abuse syndrome" characterized by hypertension and central nervous system excitation have since been challenged, although a number of case reports caution against the indiscriminate use of ginseng. [15]

Constituents found in most ginseng species include ginsenosides, polysaccharides, peptides, polyacetylenic alcohols, and fatty acids. [15] Commercial ginseng extract preparations standardized to ginsenoside content are available. [15] Dosages of ginseng extract up to 600 mg three times daily have been advocated. [15]


American ginseng has become very prized in Asia, and most American ginseng is imported to Asian markets. [13] Siberian Ginseng is not really ginseng at all, but rather it is a distantly related member of the ivy family. [13]


Every year, new members join our Association and we increase the total acreage of ginseng being grown. [17] Our diverse group includes growers from the states of Washington, Oregon, and Idaho, who have banded together to provide world class ginseng to an ever-growing and demanding world ginseng market. [17] The Northwest Ginseng Growers Association (NWGGA) is a close knit and dedicated group of ginseng growers based in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. [17] In the 1990s, a small group of growers formed the Northwest Ginseng Growers Association in an effort to reestablish ginseng cultivation here. [17]

If you have inquiries, or any questions about growing or buying ginseng, please contact the NWGGA. If you are a bulk buyer, contact NWGGA for samples and availability of product. [17] We now have a vibrant association with members growing ginseng throughout the Northwest. [17]

Anyone can grow ginseng, but it takes dedication, experience, and cooperation to consistently produce the best. [17]


Ginseng is accepted as safe for food consumption by Canada and the USA (FDA). [11] Ginseng has been used for over 4,000 years and many health benefits have been attributed to ginseng. [16] Ginseng has been used by Kings and Emperors for energy, vitality, and as a method for slowing the aging process. [16]


Brekham, an early pioneer in the study of ginseng, labeled it an "adaptogen" because it appeared to protect the body against stress and restore homeostasis. [15] Ginseng has been advocated for virtually every purpose including general health, fatigue, immune function, cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, cognitive function, viral infections, sexual function, and athletic performance. Although ginseng has therapeutic potential and measurable pharmacological activity, compelling evidence is lacking to support its use for any specific indication. [15] In humans, normal doses of ginseng did not appear to affect blood pressure and heart rate, although extremely high doses were associated with hypertension. [15] In healthy subjects without diabetes mellitus, ginseng lowered postprandial blood glucose compared to placebo only if taken 40 minutes before glucose challenge. [15] There is a case report of angiogram-confirmed, self-limited cerebral arteritis associated with ginseng overdose. [15]


With that said, we ask you to please feel confident in our assessments of the quality and ages of our roots. These Catskill Wild Ginseng roots are top quality. [31] "With soaring prices for good quality American ginseng, the practice of digging out of season and over-harvesting has become an issue. Conservation officials and environmental groups are becoming increasingly concerned about this and may push for a ban on digging 'wild' ginseng. If this should happen, we feel that the 'wild-simulated' ginseng would be called upon to satisfy the market needs. Prices will approach the levels of true 'wild' ginseng. [31]

Out of season wild-crafting and irresponsible digging of wild ginseng plants will undoubtedly force the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to enact a total ban on future wild harvesting. [31] Harvested in the famous Catskill Mountains of New York State, the undisputed home of the world's oldest and most sought after wild ginseng. [31] We encourage all ginseng dealers and wildcrafters to develop a replanting program, thus relieving the pressure that has been put on the wild ginseng populations. [31]


Because wild ginseng commands prices well over $200 per lb., much wild ginseng is being dug at a very young age and early in the season before the plants have a chance to produce seed. This has resulted in concern that our wild populations may be exterminated as has occured with wild ginseng in China. [6] Since the 18th century, American ginseng ( Panax quinquefolium L.) has been dug from the wild and exported to the Orient. [6] American ginseng ( Panax quinquefolium L.) belongs to the Aralia family (Araliaceae). [6]

The federal government has placed ginseng on the list of plants that may be in danger of extinction; each state must have a program of ginseng certification, monitoring, and research to comply with federal requirements for ginseng export. [6] The study by Siegel, which was uncontrolled, had numerous flaws (7). All of the people reporting these "adverse reactions" were consuming caffeine (mainly coffee), which has these exact side effects (except skin eruptions). Those who were in the study all reported that they experienced an energizing effect of ginseng, which implies that this was the primary reason for persistent use of the herb. [19] At one point, an import ban on ginseng was contemplated (it was very briefly instituted for some products, but quickly overturned). As the evidence about ginseng's effects was reviewed, it was found that there was no convincing data indicating harm from this herb when used in normal amounts. [19]


Wisconsin Ginseng is known worldwide as the purest, highest quality ginseng. Panax quinquefolius, better known as American Ginseng, is a white root with medicinal properties known to relieve stress, increase stamina and increase resistance to common illnesses such as colds. [7] Insist on Roland 100% Genuine Wisconsin Ginseng that is grown in the heart of the U.S. ginseng belt. [33] Roland ginseng contains higher levels of Ginsenosides, the active ingredient in ginseng, than ginseng from other parts of the world. This ensures you are getting the maximum health benefit from ginseng. [33] When prices for wild American ginseng sky-rocketed in 1996, secluded stands were quickly overrun by root hunters. Asia imports both wild-harvested and cultivated American ginseng. [9] In 1997 the U.S. legally exported 527,547 pounds of cultivated ginseng roots and 22,929 pounds of wild roots.( 4 4 ) In 1998 Wisconsin alone produced almost 2 million pounds, but production in 1999 in that state fell to 1 million pounds (almost all for export), while Canadian production rose to a total of 4,615,000 pounds.( 5 5 ) Since 1999 U.S. export production has plummeted. [9] State permits to harvest wild ginseng customarily require mature seeds to be left in the hole from which the root is dug. New growers will not find published production budgets for most native roots, because existing growers consider such information a trade secret. [9]


Currently, sales of ginseng bring in around $5 million annually to Kentucky diggers of wild ginseng and growers of cultivated ginseng. [6] The cultural requirements for Goldenseal are the same as for ginseng and it is often grown under the same wooded conditions or shade structure. [6]


Who will speak for the plants The gentle flowers cloistered in quiet meadow and lonely wood Plants whose power is in their softness Or in their strange difference? Grandfather Ginseng will take the stand! In the country and the town, the reputation of this gentleman is known to all. Bold, vigorous, crafty and tough, he's older than the mountains but he feels just like a newborn child. [20] This Ginseng Ginseng plant is holding its green color in October, due to more moisture and shade. [20] We welcome submissions from Ginseng Growers and anyone who has information or folklore to share. Free Ginseng Videos These are my early efforts in joining the Online Video Revolution Ginseng Harvest and some close- ups of Ginseng, and taking pictures of Indian Pipe, a rare fall wildflower. I hope you find them educational and entertaining. [20] Ginseng is a woodland herb whose survival is threatened by habitat destruction and careless harvesting. [20] Responsible harvest and growing of Ginseng is possible. It is the purpose of this web site to help preserve Ginseng for our future. Special thanks to Lee Murray for his inspiration, knowledge, and for adding a creative touch to this section with his Grandfather Ginseng Tales. [20] An herb called Periploca sepium is reported to be a common adulterant used in Siberian Ginseng products. [23]

Siberian Ginseng is thought to have a long history of use by Chinese herbalists. In Russia, it was identified by C. I. Maximovich and L.Shrenk in 1855 and given its current classification as the genus Eleuthero and it's species Senticosus. [23] Usage of stimulants (such as caffeine) may be contraindicated if a patient has cardiovascular disease and is taking Ginseng. Ginseng may be toxic in very large quantities (Ginseng Abuse Syndrome) and/or with intake over a long period of time. (This has been shown with Panax Ginseng usage). [23]

Side effects from correctly administered Siberian Ginseng are thought to be very rare. If you experience any of these side effects, stop usage immediately and report them to your health care professional. [23] Siberian Ginseng is indigenous to E. Asia - China, Japan, Korea and Siberia. It can be found growing in mixed and coniferous mountain forests usually forming a small undergrowth or a grouping in thickets. [23] For the best bioavailability and if you have a sensitive stomach, it is often recommended that you take Siberian Ginseng as a tincture, infusion, tea, or the raw herb chewed. [23] Generally, Siberian Ginseng is thought to create activity in the immune system by stimulating T-cell production. It is has shown an ability to improve blood lipid levels. It is considered an adaptogen and anti-oxidant. It is attributed with hypoglycemic, anti-inflammatory; and vasodilator activities. It is thought to increase energy and negate stress. [23] You can take ginseng with or without food. It is generally thought that Siberian Ginseng can be taken for a longer period of time than Panex Ginseng. [23]


In a clinical evaluation conducted by ITM in 1979 (8), participants were provided high quality ginseng powder (provided by the Ginseng Research Institute of Seoul Korea) at a substantial dose (either 3.0 or 4.5 grams per day of the powdered root; except for the placebo group) and were interviewed after three weeks of daily use of the ginseng. [19] Pesticides (mainly fungicides) are usually used only when needed in ginseng cultivation and avoided during the weeks just prior to harvest, but trace amounts are sometimes left in the roots (just enough to reach the limit of detection); the amount of root ingested is small and the amount of pesticide ingested with it is truly minuscule. [19] According to Mark Blumenthal of the American Botanical Council, most commercial ginseng products have from 2-4% ginsenosides (ginseng that is used by clinicians may be higher, up to about 5%). [19] Some herbal estrogenic activities are also anti-estrogenic in relation to cancers (because there are several estrogen receptors with differing effects of stimulation). Obviously, women with hormonally driven cancers might want to avoid large doses of ginseng (or any of the other items mentioned in this regard), but should not be put in fear of small amounts of ginseng or other herbs used in formulas. Ginseng is often a minor component of formulas prescribed to such women by health professionals. [19] The adverse effects that might be expected from improper ginseng use by TCM theory, as relayed by Chen, will generally not occur when ginseng is prescribed by a practitioner who evaluates the patient and selects an appropriate formula, rather than when it is self-prescribed. [19]

The amounts of lead or pesticides detected were very small and easily within what are considered safe limits. Lead is a natural component of some soils and is found in one of the mountain grown ginsengs, known as tien-chi ginseng ( Panax notoginseng ), that comes from the mountains of Yunnan Province in China (lead is present in trace amounts in many of the foods we eat as well, with daily ingestion of this component in milligram quantities). [19] In 1979, a Los Angeles physician, Ron Siegel, published a clinical note in the Journal of the American Medical Association (6) about a "ginseng abuse syndrome." In an evaluation of 133 people in the Los Angeles area who had been taking ginseng frequently (for one month to two years), it was found that 14 (10%) reported symptoms that were then depicted as being part of this syndrome (though a larger number reported one or more symptoms, falling short of the abuse syndrome). [19] The FDA eventually took the unofficial position that ginseng did neither harm nor good: it was an essentially innocuous substance and went unregulated. Ginseng found its way into candies, gums, soft drinks, and numerous other food products, aside from its medicinal preparations sold in the form of capsules, tablets, and liquid extracts of the herb. [19] The basic theory of herbal use is that it can correct imbalances so that a woman with low estrogen who takes herbs may then have a higher level of estrogen as a result, regardless of the specific herbal properties. At this time, there is no evidence that ginseng, in the dosages commonly consumed, has any measurable estrogenic activity for humans. [19] All of the above recipes are used for the purpose of overcoming deficiency and eliminating the harmful agents. Some practitioners hold that ginseng is synergistic to other herbs in eliminating the harmful agents in generally weak persons suffering from cold, but without replenishing action, and this view deserves further investigation. [19] Ginseng eventually became known to the West through the efforts of missionary doctors living in the East. Ginseng, with the Chinese, is the medicine par excellance, the dernier ressort when all other drugs fail; reserved for the use of the Emperor and his household, and conferred by Imperial favor upon high and useful officials whenever they have a serious breakdown that does not yield to ordinary treatment, and which threatens to put a period to their lives and usefulness. [19] Chen Keji, The effect and abuse syndrome of ginseng, Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 1981; 1(1): 69-72. [19] In 1981, China convened a symposium on eleuthero ginseng in Harbin, China; at an international conference on Chinese medicine held in Hong Kong in 1983 (5), ginseng was one of the selected topics for presentations (of which there were 7 reports). [19] Increasing Bodily Fire: According to the theory and clinical experience of traditional Chinese medicine, ginseng may be used for deficiency of vital energy and may be prescribed for insufficiency of yin associated with loss of bodily fire. [19] The longer the duration of ginseng use for the insufficiency of yin, therefore, the more the yin is consumed, especially when large doses are used. [19] In Korea, one of the areas of active research is on use of ginseng to treat hypertension as well as high blood sugar and elevated lipid levels. [19] In most of the products containing eleuthero ginseng, the plant type was clearly specified. [19] Dr. Weil also mentions more recent tests that found 12 of 22 products either did not have adequate levels of ginseng (meaning ginsenosides) or were contaminated with lead or pesticides. This is also somewhat misleading. [19] At a dose of 1-2 grams of ginseng per day, the commercial products would provide up to 80 mg of ginsenosides per day. This is barely a clinically relevant dosage (see: Platycodon and other herbs with triterpene glycosides ). [19]

Eleuthero ginseng ( Eleutherococcus senticosus ) has different active constituents than the Panax species but the reported therapeutic benefits are the same. [19] The small doses of ginseng normally consumed in the West can be compared to ginseng decoctions used in China, where it is common to administer from 3-10 grams per day. [19]

Propagation by Roots — Small ginseng roots can be easily transplanted and used as planting stock. [34] Fresh, non-stratified (green) ginseng seed may be planted immediately after harvest of the berries. It will stratify naturally in the seedbed over the next year and a half, although loss to rodents and disease may be quite high. [34] Fall planted, stratified ginseng seed will usually emerge the following April to June. [34] The seeds require special handling because, to germinate, they must first be subjected to a long period of storage in a moist medium with a warm/cold treatment; a process known as stratification. Because of this requirement, ginseng seed normally does not germinate until the second spring following harvest of berries in the fall. [34]


Differences between Panax quinquefolium L. and Panax ginseng L. (Asian ginseng) are based on consumer perceptions, uses in traditional Chinese medicine (one is classified as "cool," the other as "hot"), and marketing strategies, rather than pharmacological studies using Western methodology. [9] Diseases of ginseng include root rot (early blight) and Alternaria panax (ginseng blight). [9]

American ginseng ( Panax quinquefolium L.) is a fleshy-rooted deciduous perennial native to cool and shady hardwood forests of North America, ranging from Quebec south to northern Florida and west to Arkansas. In the past decade ginseng has become increasingly scarce in its native habitat. [9] Persons, W. Scott. 1994. Growing American ginseng in its native woodland habitat. p. 32-38. [9]

Hankins identified wild-simulated as the best method for American ginseng growers, because of lower production costs and maximum returns. [9]

Hong Kong's becoming part of The People's Republic of China in 1998 has complicated U.S. access to the Chinese market for ginseng. [9]


Our mission is to represent Wisconsin Ginseng producers as the worldwide leader of the American Ginseng industry, committed to the advertising, promotion and the sale of Wisconsin Ginseng, the purest ginseng in the world. [7] The following consists of common average recommended dosages for ginseng usage: Tablets, Pills, Capsules: Equivalent to 2-6 grams of the root/day or equivalent standardized product. [23] A concern when purchasing Siberian Ginseng is the continued practice of substitution. [23]


Retaining Harmful Agents in the Body: Traditional Chinese medicine prescribes ginseng as an adjuvant for patients with general weakness and suffering from the common cold. [19] Some patients who do not have bodily weakness experience instant stomach distention upon using ginseng. Fresh radish juice, or decoction with radish seed at 3-6 grams, can relieve this. [19]

Janetzky K and Morreale AP, Probable interaction between warfarin and ginseng, American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy 1997; 54: 692-693. [19] Siegel RK, Ginseng abuse syndrome, Journal of the American Medical Association 1979; 241 (15). [19]

After accounting for minor or possible effects that were equally reported by the placebo group, only 17% of the participants identified "improved energy" as an evident response to ginseng. This change was not viewed by these participants as undesirable (e.g., did not cause nervous agitation or insomnia). [19] Scaglione F, Cattaneo G, Alessandria M, Cogo, Efficacy and safety of the standardized Ginseng extract G115 for potentiating vaccination against the influenza syndrome and protection against the common cold, Drugs in Experimental and Clinical Research, 1996; 22(2): 65-72. [19] For gentle dissipation of harms, Minor Bupleurum Combination ( Xiao Chaihu Tang, which contains ginseng) should be used. [19] Used fresh, ginseng displays a cool nature. When it is used after preparation, its nature is warm. [19]

The participants in Siegel's evaluation reported an average ginseng daily dosage of 3 grams, but a duration of use that was usually several months. [19] For purging therapy, use Huang Long Tang (a modification of Major Rhubarb Combination with ginseng). [19] For eliminating fever, use Ginseng and Gypsum Combination ( Renshen Baihu Tang ) and Bamboo and Gypsum Combination ( Zhuye Shigao Tang, which contains ginseng). [19] Our ancient formularies said that doctors should use Ginseng and Perilla Formula ( Shen Su Yin ) and Ginseng and Mentha Formula ( Renshen Baidu San ), etc., for supplementing yang and relieving conjointly the superficial syndrome. [19] For insufficiency of yin, when the medication of ginseng is considered necessary, it appears advisable to use Western ginseng which is relatively richer in yin-nourishing properties. [19] Zhang Lu, a physician of the Qing Dynasty period (15), commented: "Some people look upon ginseng as poison or a sword and stubbornly refuse to use it." Its old reputation as a healer for serious conditions and as a preventer of aging and death was retained. [19] In case of illness in which the earth shows a depletion and the fire shows vigor, the weak cool nature of fresh ginseng is suited to diminish the blazing of the fire and to replenish the earth. This could be called a pure use of ginseng's nature. [19]

One of the issues not raised in the article is the alleged interaction of ginseng with warfarin (see: Interactions of herbs and drugs ). The first reported case of this was with Ginsana. [19] Ginseng is only one example of an herb that is of concern; the matter applies to tonification therapies as a class. [19] Ginseng became one of the most heavily traded herbs in the West and remains in the top ten list of herbs sold in the U.S. and Europe. [19] During the period of intensive import of ginseng, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), having no familiarity with the herb, attempted to limit or control it. [19]

Liberti LE and Der Marderosian AH, Evaluation of commercial ginseng products, Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 1978; 67: 1487-1489. [19] An application of ginseng is always appropriate when the evil influences that caused a patient's illness have left the body, but the proper influences are still weak, or when only a little of the evil influences remain, but the proper influences are exhausted, or when evil influences have penetrated deeply into the body and proper influences are themselves too weak to drive off the evil influences. [19] Since ginseng is a substance rich in influences and full of vigor, it is able to supplement depletion and stop the loss of proper influences, no matter whether a patient's illness is related to wind, cold, summer-heat, dampness, phlegm, fire or some binding of influences within the body. [19] The somewhat bitter taste has been formed through reciprocal interaction of fire and earth. These are the yin influences of earth. They have the nature of descending in the body. Taste and nature are both equally weak in ginseng. [19]

When some of the ailing patients died after taking ginseng, responsibility for the death might be attributed to the ginseng. [19] In the clinical evaluation conducted by ITM, 3.0 or 4.5 grams of ginseng per day for three weeks yielded no more reports of mild adverse reactions than the placebo, and none of the severe adverse reactions. [19]


For further information on ginseng cultivation, consult the N.C. Cooperative Extension Service Bulletin AG-323, Ginseng Production Guide for North Carolina. [34]

Among the species used for pharmacological effects, Asian ginseng ( Panax ginseng ), American ginseng ( Panax quinquefolius ), and Japanese ginseng ( Panax japonicus ) are commonly described. Other "varieties" such as Siberian ginseng ( Eleintherococcus senticosus ) and Brazilian ginseng ( Pfaffia paniculata ) are unique plants with different pharmacological effects that may nevertheless be included in commercially available ginseng preparations. [15] Fall is the time to plant ginseng so don't wait to place your order for ginseng seed. [24] Probably the best testimonial for ginseng is the fact that it has been used in herbal preparations for thousands of years — and still is today. [24] After 33+ years in business, the Imberger Ginseng Farm, Inc. remains family owned. The Imberger Family is committed to providing its customers with only the finest products. [35] Wisconsin, U.S. Wisconsin is known throughout the world as the "Ginseng Capital of the World". Its temperate climate and rich soils produce some of the world's finest ginseng. [35]


Although our crop is cultivated, it is genetically indistinguishable from wild ginseng. We have worked with our State Legislators to establish Ginseng Management Plans, thus allowing us to legally export this valuable crop. During the early 1900s, growers in this region developed a reputation for producing the best ginseng in North America! Global events during the middle part of the century removed the market from growers and caused the eventual demise of ginseng growing in the Northwest. [17] Although not a native of the northwestern USA, ginseng grows very well in the mild climate and fertile volcanic soils found here. Wild ginseng is considered a threatened species and as such is covered by CITES, an international treaty which limits trade in threatened or endangered species. [17]


Chinese ginseng, korean ginseng and american ginseng are all known as adaptogenic longevity herbs. [16] Ginseng is believed to enhance physical and mental endurance, increase energy, reduce cholesterol, to support adrenal function, to reduce stress and regulate blood sugar. [36] Quality Northern Ginseng Company has been sourcing wild ginseng in whole root form for wholesalers and retailers in Asia for twenty years. [37] Quality Northern Ginseng Company has continuously held an Export Permit for wild ginseng roots with the U.S. Department of the Interior since 1978. Quality Northern Ginseng Company now offers very selected wild ginseng roots authenticated by their long "necks" to demonstrate and ensure great age and potency. [37] Quality Northern Ginseng Company is in the business of sourcing only the finest quality wild ginseng roots from each season's ginseng harvest. [37] Quality Northern Ginseng Company is a licensed wild ginseng dealer in Vermont, New York, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Tennessee, Indiana and Minnesota with agents in Ohio and Illinois. [37] For more information about wild ginseng, and Quality Northern Ginseng Co., please contact us. [37]


Export, Wholesale, Mail-order: ginseng roots, ginseng powder, ginseng capsule, ginseng tea, ginseng-root gift box, ginseng-slice gift box, Alaska fish oil, VE skin oil, lecithin, shark cartilage, melatonin, and other food supplements and health products. [38] Under Safety Concerns, Dr. Weil mentions a 1978 study (12) that found that 25% of ginseng products of that time (taken from over the counter sales, not prescription items, a total of 28 items), had no ginseng at all. This is somewhat misleading, as many ginseng products sold at that time contained "eleuthero ginseng" (also known as "Siberian ginseng"), which is an herb of the same plant family that was reported to have similar uses to Panax ginseng (see Figure 1.) [19]

Ginsenosides are usually considered the main constituents to the therapeutic effect of Ginseng (see Pharmacology and Clinical Studies), and when procuring the herb in forms other than the natural root (i.e. capsules, tonics, etc.), the amount and types of ginsenosides included should be noted. They include Rgl, Re, Rf, Rbl, Rc, Rb2 and Rd. Although not clinically documented it is thought that at least seven of these ginsenosides should be present within the product and in a high percentage. [22]

The climate, terrain and elevation are perfect for the growing of the finest certified organic wild simulated ginseng and organic goldenseal to be found anywhere. We are the place to purchase organically certified ginseng and goldenseal roots both dry and fresh. [39] We also carry a wide variety of herbal products including ginseng capsules, ginseng and goldenseal powder, ginseng seed, ginseng and goldenseal rootlets, and our popular ginseng wine. For those wishing to start their own gardens we sell ginseng and goldenseal growing kits. These kits include ginseng and golden seal seeds and rootlets. [39] Buy from us and be guaranteed to recieve friendly service, fair prices, and high potency, premium ginseng and goldenseal products. [39]

Learn about the quality of Harding's Organic Wild Simulated Ginseng,Learn about how to grow Ginseng, Learn about the benefits, and history of Ginseng. [39] Hardings's Organic Goldenseal Information and Pictures Hardings's Organic Goldenseal Information and Pictures Harding's Ginseng Farm in Western Maryland Take a tour of the farm and see how we grow woods grown wild simulated ginseng. [39]


Roland American Ginseng, located in Marathon, WI, is 100% Genuine Wisconsin ginseng. 90% of all American ginseng comes from the Wisconsin ginseng belt. [33] The Good Stewardship Harvesting of Wild American Ginseng brochures were developed in conjunction with the American Herbal Products Association (AHPA), the Fish & Wildlife Service (FWS), State ginseng coordinators, the board of United Plant Savers (UpS), and the board of the Roots of Appalachia Growers Association (RAGA) for the Ohio brochure. [40] Actions: Adaptogen, Tonic, Stimulant, Hypoglycaemic. Indications: Ginseng has an ancient history and as such has accumulated much folklore about its actions and uses. [41]


For most of us, roots that have been allowed to mature for 5 years or longer in good soil and environmental conditions, and harvested at the correct time of year 3,4,5,6 are thought to have stronger therapeutic qualities. Other factors to be aware of when purchasing Ginseng is the diversity within the Genus. [22] Originally harvested from the wild, now cultivated worldwide, ginseng mostly originates from China, Korea and Japan. Both the red and white varieties originate from the same genus, but are prepared differently. [22] Currently, the word "Ginseng" is used to sell a variety of herbs associated with certain therapeutic qualities. This can be confusing as they do not all demonstrate the same biochemical properties. [22] A study of dammarane oligopeptides from ginseng isolated a new biologically active peptide which exhibits somnogenic effect 26. [22] Panax, derived from a Greek word meaning cure-all, is thought by some to be the only "true" Ginseng, and is certainly the most famous. [22]


Illinois law only regulates commerce in the roots of ginseng, not leaves or seeds. [42] Ginseng is listed in the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, an international treaty entered into by the United States. [42] Wild Illinois ginseng can be sold only to licensed Illinois ginseng dealers. [42] All ginseng originating in Illinois must be certified as to origin, quantity and type by a certifying officer of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Office of Law Enforcement. This certification must be done within the boundaries of the state. A grower can have his crop certified before sale or the licensed buyer can certify it after the purchase. [42] Illinois dealers licenses are not limited to Illinois residents, and some dealers in adjoining states are licensed to buy Illinois ginseng. [42] Ginseng harvested in other states can be sold to Illinois dealers provided it is certified by the state of origin as having been legally harvested in that state. [42]

"Cultivated ginseng," means ginseng growing in tilled beds under shade of artificial structures or under natural shade. [42] A Ginseng dealers license is required for each individual at a given location who is engaged in the purchase of ginseng from growers or harvesters. "Individual," for the purpose of this Act, is defined as a person, partnership or corporation. [42] If a grower is selling to an out-of-state dealer, it would be to the dealer's advantage to have the ginseng certified by the grower. [42]


Crude dried ginseng roots normally show considerable variability in content during formal testing of non-commercial products (typical range: 2.2-5.2%), with white ginseng having the lower amounts and red ginseng having the higher amounts (during drying, ordinary white ginseng loses active constituents as a result of the plant's own enzymes degrading them; to make red ginseng, the roots are steamed, which inactivates the enzymes and preserves the active constituents). [19] American ginseng, which had formerly been sold almost exclusively to Asia, was finally marketed in the U.S. Hsu's Ginseng Farm, in Wisconsin, has been one of the main producing and marketing agencies for American ginseng, and has helped develop some use of the herb in America. [19]

Blumenthal M, Debunking the "ginseng abuse syndrome," Whole Foods 1991; March: 89-91. Dharmananda S, Panax ginseng: A clinical study of its effects on risk factors of cardiovascular diseases, Bulletin of the Oriental Healing Arts Institute 1983; 8(1): 1-13. [19] American ginseng has even higher amounts of ginsenosides than Chinese ginseng. [19] Some people seek out white ginseng based on the belief that it is more cooling than the red ginseng, which is deemed more warming. Therefore, the herb that normally has low levels of ginsenosides is sometimes the preferred one. [19] Bae HW (editor), Korean Ginseng, 1978 Korea Ginseng Research Institute, Seoul, Korea. [19]

Research has shown that Ginseng may have the ability to act as an "adaptogen", prolonging life by combating viral infections and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. [22]

The brochures also provide information on current State and Federal regulations that apply to harvesters and buyers of wild American ginseng, and contact information for each State regulatory office. [40] There are 19 State-specific brochures, one for each State approved by the FWS for the export of wild American ginseng. [40]

All 19 brochures are available for download at AHPA Website. A second brochure, which describes the requirements to export wild American ginseng is available for download download. [40] By following the guidelines presented in the brochures, collectors will contribute to the sustainable future of wild American ginseng. [40]


Welcome to the home of the Imberger Ginseng Farm, Inc. Your home for the finest quality 100% pure American Ginseng products. The American Ginseng available through this site is grown right in the heart of the "world's best" climate for ginseng…. [35] You can rest assured that, regardless of which American Ginseng product you purchase from the Imberger Ginseng Farm, Inc., you will be receiving a product of superior quality. [35]


In the Ginseng family there are American, Korean, Chinese and Siberian ginsengs. [36] For further questions, call the Commercial License/Permit Office at 217/785-3423. "Wild ginseng," as defined by law, is the root of the ginseng plant ( Panax quinquefolius ) which is growing in or has been collected from its native habitat. Therefore, plants that arise from seed planted in the wild or plants that have been transplanted into the native habitat are considered wild ginseng. [42] The strain of ginseng and goldenseal we grow were developed from wild ginseng and goldenseal seed we collected from the local Appalachian Mountains over 45-50 years ago. Our ginseng is prized for it's wild ginseng characteristics, taste, color, texture and very high concentration of Ginsenoside Ginsenoside. [39] The ginsenoside composition of the main root, lateral root, rhizome, leaves and seeds of Panax ginseng cultivated in Jilin, China was studied. Total saponin content showed a mid-range value as compared to those in ginsengs reported in literature. [22]

White ginseng is dried, and has been outperformed by red ginseng containing a higher content of saponins, and which is steamed before drying. Wild roots are thought to have stronger therapeutic qualities and at least one study backs this claim. 10 Even without further studies the wild roots sell for thousands of dollars each. [22] Panax ginseng is still a main staple in Chinese medicine. "There have been more than 300 original papers (written) in Chinese and in English during the last 10 years in China" 22 as well as studies in Europe and America that may support this usage. [22] Throughout the ages 15 medicinal and magical qualities ascribed to Panax acted as a tonic, maintaining a healthy body, rejuvenating and prolonging life and acting as a sexual enhancer balancing "Yin" and "Yang". There is large amount of good research currently being done on Panax ginseng and it's medicinal effects. [22]


Habitat: Panax Ginseng is native to China and cultivated extensively in China, Korea, Japan and Russia. [41]

Regulations permit the purchase of one and two year old live roots for cultivation purposes without a dealer's license. Growers who sell live one and two year old ginseng roots for cultivation purposes do not have to have these roots certified. Ginseng growers must keep a written record of the location and size of their cultivated ginseng stands on forms provided by the Department of Natural Resources. [42] The harvest of wild ginseng shall be limited to plants that are 10 years of age (4 leafed) or older. When harvesting wild ginseng, harvesters shall plant all of the seeds from the harvested plants in the vicinity of the parent plants in a manner that will encourage their germination and growth. [42] Enforcement of the treaty within the United States rests with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. They require the individual states to regulate harvest and commerce in ginseng in a manner that will assure that the species does not become extinct. Cultivated ginseng is included because of its similarity to wild ginseng. [42]

"Cultivated ginseng," means ginseng growing in tilled beds under shade of artificial structures or under natural shade. Any person engaged in digging or harvesting wild ginseng in Illinois must have in their possession an Illinois ginseng harvester's license. This license must be in their possession when selling ginseng. [42]

The written harvest records for cultivated ginseng must be available for examination by officers of the Department of Natural Resources during normal hours, and an annual report of harvest must be submitted to the Department of Natural Resources upon sale of the season's crop or April 1 of the following year, whichever comes first. [42] Cultivated ginseng can be harvested and marketed at any time by a licensed grower. [42] Cultivated ginseng may be harvested by the grower and bought by the dealer at any time. [42]

Illinois law defines cultivated ginseng as ginseng growing in tilled beds under shade of artificial structures or under natural shade. [42]


When purchasing Panax ginseng labels should be checked for clear identification of the plant genus utilized, as substitution occurs. [22] It has been found that "ginsenosides are therapeutic dammarane-type oligoglycosides isolated from the water-soluble portion of the dried roots and leaves of Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer ( Araliaceae)" 28. [22]

Research continues to support ginseng's protective role against anti-cancer treatments and drugs, perhaps even countering the side effects of chemotherapy. [22]


SELECTED SOURCES

1. Ginseng Seeds Roots Herbal Plants and Herbs:Wild Ginseng - WildGrown.com
http://www.wildgrown.com/

2. Herbal Information Center - Ginseng - Herbs
http://www.kcweb.com/herb/ginseng.htm

3. Producing and Marketing Wild Simulated Ginseng in Forest and Agroforestry Systems
http://www.ext.vt.edu/pubs/forestry/354-312/354-312.html

4. Ginseng
http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/AFCM/ginseng.html

5. Korean ginseng
http://www.phytochemicals.info/plants/korean-ginseng.php

6. Commercial Production of Ginseng and Goldenseal
http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/NewCropsNews/94-4-1/ginseng.html

7. Ginseng Board of Wisconsin
http://www.ginsengboard.com/

8. Panax ginseng - October 15, 2003 - American Family Physician
http://www.aafp.org/afp/20031015/1539.html

9. Ginseng, Goldenseal, and Other Native Roots
http://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/ginsgold.html

10. Ginseng - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ginseng

11. Ginseng Wisdom
http://www.american.edu/TED/ginseng.htm

12. Ginseng
http://www.vanderbilt.edu/AnS/psychology/health_psychology/ginseng.htm

13. Alexander's Ginseng Webstore: Frequently Asked Questions about Ginseng.
http://www.quickchange.com/ginsengstore/faqs.html

14. Ethnobotanical Leaflets
http://www.siu.edu/~ebl/leaflets/ginseng.htm

15. Tang Center for Herbal Medicine Research
http://tangcenter.uchicago.edu/herbal_resources/5.shtml

16. Ginseng 4 Less
http://www.ginseng4less.com/

17. Northwest Ginseng Growers Association - Home Page
http://www.nwginseng.org/home.html

18. HRF Greenpapers: Ginseng
http://www.herbs.org/greenpapers/ginseng.htm

19. Safety Issues Affecting Chinese Herbs: The Case of Ginseng
http://www.itmonline.org/arts/ginseng.htm

20. Ginseng Cooperators
http://www.altnature.com/ginseng/

21. Asian Ginseng [NCCAM Herbs at a Glance]
http://nccam.nih.gov/health/asianginseng/

22. Ginseng (Korean (Panax) Ginseng) drug description - FDA approved labeling for prescription drugs and medications at RxList
http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/alt/ginseng.htm

23. Siberian Ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus) - RxList Herbal FAQ
http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/alt/ginseng_sib_faq.htm

24. Ginseng from Pacific Rim Ginseng: Chinese Medicine from the USA.
http://www.pacificrimginseng.com/

25. Ginseng (American ginseng, Asian ginseng, Chinese ginseng, Korean red ginseng, Panax ginseng: Panax spp. including P. ginseng C.C. Meyer and P. quincefolium L., excluding Eleutherococcus senticosus) - MayoClinic.com
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/ginseng/NS_patient-ginseng

26. ''''''''''''''''''- Hsu Ginseng Enterprises Inc.
http://www.hsuginseng.com/

27. botanical.com - A Modern Herbal | Ginseng
http://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/g/ginsen15.html

28. ConsumerLab.com Product Review: Ginseng Supplements
http://www.consumerlab.com/reviews/Ginseng_Supplements/ginseng/

29. Ginseng, Ginseng Photo and Ginseng Uses
http://www.altnature.com/gallery/ginseng.htm

30. Ginseng |
http://www.ginsengfaq.com/

31. SYLVAN BOTANICALS NEW YORK GINSENG
http://www.catskillginseng.com/

32. Schumacher's Pure Wisconsin Ginseng
http://www.schumacherginseng.com/

33. Roland Ginseng 100% Pure Wisconsin Ginseng - Buy Online!
http://www.rolandginseng.com/

34. Care and Planting of Ginseng Seed and Roots
http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/hil/hil-127.html

35. Imberger Ginseng Farm - Wisconsin Ginseng Products
http://www.imginseng.com/

36. GINSENG (panax ginseng) - Glossary Definition
http://anrvitamins.com/glossary/ginseng.html

37. Quality Northern Ginseng Co.
http://www.wildginseng.com/

38. A&A Wisconsin Ginseng, Inc.
http://www.aginseng.com/

39. Ginseng seeds, roots, capsules, kits: Harding's Ginseng Farm
http://www.hardingsginsengfarm.com/

40. Wild American Ginseng
http://www.fws.gov/international/animals/ginindx.html

41. Ginseng - David L. Hoffmann B.Sc. (Hons), M.N.I.M.H. - HealthWorld Online
http://www.healthy.net/library/books/hoffman/materiamedica/GINSENG.HTM

42. Ginseng Regs
http://dnr.state.il.us/Law3/Ginseng%20Regulations.htm

Unless otherwise stated, the content of this page is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 License