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

Read more in Alternative

« Healing Crystals: Rose Quartz and Their Benefits

Color Therapy: Red »

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.

Modern Testing of Ginseng

Its value as a medical supplement has contradictory results probably from varying variety of ginseng tested, as well as strength used and what part of the plant is tested. The roots are the most commonly used part, but the leaves also have an effect, although usually of a lesser effectiveness.

The medical benefits are often promoted as having the ability to increase the body’s stamina, reduce stress, increase sexual function and some promising animal studies suggest it may help to ward off some forms of cancers. Similar testing in humans has either not been done, or has not been shown as yet to provide any positive improvements.

Both the American and Asian forms of ginseng were shown in a Southern Illinois University of Medicine study to have the ability to increase both the copulatory response and libido in animals. The ginsenoside components of the root upon the central nervous system were possibly the reasons for this increase in sexuality. It is know that ginsenoside in males can facilitate the penis to become erect and be maintained. Again, this is keeping consistent with both Chinese and Native American contentions of a beneficial effect of consuming ginseng (roots, eaten raw or cooked) and ginseng derived products (tea, dried/powder, etc.)

Testing has shown in doubled-blind randomized testing that extracts of American Ginseng can reduce the effects of influenza in the elderly. Compared against placebo treatments, the results are encouraging.

As with all unconventional treatments of medical ailments, nothing about ginseng is completely agreed upon by the medical profession or even the proponents of ginseng as a remedy. But as a supplement for a common goal of better health, the additional benefits of good quality ginseng products should not be dismissed or overlooked when combined with sound, conventional western medicine.