Ginseng Root: The “all-heal Man-root” of Chinese and American Indian Medicine

Panax ginseng, or “ginseng” is a root believed to have been discovered over 5000 years ago in the Manchurian Mountains of China. The root was probably eaten as a food and credited to give increased strength, vitality and other desirable benefits. The human-like shape of the taproot doubtlessly contributed greatly to the mystique of the rejuvenating properties.

The common term “ginseng” and can be used as a restorative and as a tonic an refer to any of the 22 varieties of plants that have the genus name “Panax”.

The etymology of the name “Panax Ginseng” comes from the Chinese term rénshēn (later, phonetically corrupted into “ginseng” by the English-speakers of the time) meaning “man-root”. It refers to the characteristic shape of the root tuber, which resembles the legs of a man.

The botanical/genus name “Panax” comes from the Greek, meaning “all-heal.” The health properties of the root were known before the plant was named, hence, the descriptive naming. The word “panax” shares the same origins as the word “panacea” as the ginseng root is also known for its muscle relaxant properties.

Jack in the Pulpit

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Jack in the Pulpit. Photo by author. Image taken at the Kortright Conservation Area, Ontario CANADA. Summer, 2008, resembles American Ginseng is appearance only.

American Ginseng Roots

The tuber root resembles a small white carrot or parsnip vegetable. The American Ginseng plant grows to between six and eighteen inches tall with leaves that have from three to five leaflets ranging from 2 to 5 inches in length. The root develops the characteristic ‘forked’ shape as it matures.

American ginseng is similar in both properties and appearance to the Asian variety. Working amongst the Iroquois Indians in the early 1700s, a Jesuit priest heard of this valuable Asian root and sought to find a similar North American equivalent. After months of searching he was rewarded with the discovery of a native herb that was similar in properties and appearance. Growing near Montreal in the Canadian hardwood forests, he found what we know today as ‘P. quinquefolius”, -American Ginseng.

The root gained notoriety for it medicinal properties and was in great demand, often, putting strain upon the wild stock. Either transplanted exports or existing native groves of P. quinquefolius were also found in the American northeast, New York, Massachusetts, Vermont, etc. All of the New England states had wild ginseng. Fortunes were made during this time from the sale of these important herb roots as their use became known and exploited in trade. Farming ginseng is difficult and often, not successful. Planting or cultivating in the woods is more successful and can take some pressure off of gathering the true ‘wild’ ginseng. The former and current range of American Ginseng ranges from Quebec and westwards to Minnesota, and south as far as Georgia and Alabama. Programs of planting in deep forests are in place along the eastern U.S.