American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius, L.) is a perennial herb and grows wild in deciduous forests of the eastern United States. American ginseng is an erect plant that reaches a height of 0.3 to 0.7 meters and has fusiform roots, greenish-white flowers and red berries. The roots and rhizomes are often branched or forked, and they bring a premium price if they resemble a human form. Wild ginseng once thrived along most of the nation’s eastern seaboard, from Maine to Alabama and west to Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota. American ginseng, (panax quinquefolium) was at one time plentiful in all mountainous regions of the United States. However, it was over-harvested in the mid-1970s, and was subsequently defined as an endangered species. Now, only licensed ginseng harvesters are allowed to dig for the wild ginseng root.
Ginseng was one of the earliest marketable herbs harvested in the United States. Wild ginseng was one of Minnesota’s first major exports. In 1860, more than 120 tons of dried ginseng roots were shipped from the Minnesota to China. American ginseng is similar to Asian ginseng, Panax ginseng, L. that grows wild in Northern Manchuria and has been harvested there for thousands of years. Currently, 18 states issue licenses to export it. In Wisconsin and several other states where ginseng is cultivated, a permit is not required to export artificially propagated ginseng.
American ginseng is also commonly cultivated. It is relatively easy to grow. The root takes approximately 5 years to reach harvesting maturity. American ginseng plants are generally started from seeds. Seedlings or roots for transplanting are available commercially but used infrequently. Seeds are planted in the fall and germinate in the spring.
American Ginseng is not a drug and should not be taken as such. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has classified it as a “generally recognized safe food” (GRAS).
Related Articles of Interest :
-
Ginseng Tea
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
No Comments
The Chinese have been using ginseng tea for their health for thousands of years. Experts in Chinese medicine recommend that it should be drunk daily or whenever one is feeling unwell. However, it should only be a secondary boost to health and not used as...
-
Growing Ginseng
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
No Comments
Ginseng is a fleshy rooted herb and a slow growing plant that takes years to grow. Ginseng grows in well-drained, cool, shaded hardwood forests. Ginseng does not grow in full sunlight, and hardwood forests provide the plant with plenty of shade. Ginseng is a perennial...
-
Siberian Ginseng
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
No Comments
There are three main species of ginseng, Oriental, Siberian and American. While all three forms share many common elements, there are differences among them. Siberian ginseng is not truly ginseng at all. Siberian ginseng, eleutherococcus senticocus is a distant cousin to the panax ginseng of...
-
Korean Ginseng
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
No Comments
Oriental or Asian ginseng has been classified as Panax pseudoginseng Wallich and Panax schinseng Nees. It is native to Korea. Reaching a height of 0.8 to 1 meter, the plant resembles American ginseng. Korean ginseng is also known as Asian ginseng, Asiatic ginger and Chinese...
-
Ginseng
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
No Comments
The term “ginseng” is derived from the Chinese term “jen-shen,” which means “in the image of a man”. Ginseng refers to several species of Panax of which Panax quinquefolius L., American ginseng, and Panax ginseng C.A. Mey. Panax is derived from the Greek word meaning...
-
Ginseng Benefits
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
No Comments
Ginseng is held in high esteem because of its use as a medicinal plant. The genus name Panax is derived from the Greek word meaning “panacea” or “all-healing. The species ginseng is said to mean, “wonder of the world”. Ginseng is considered an aphrodisiac, stimulant,...
-
Ginseng Side Effects
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
No Comments
The use of herbs is a time-honored approach to strengthening the body and treating disease. However, herbs contain active substances that can trigger side effects and interact with other herbs, supplements or medications. For these reasons, herbs should be taken with care, under the supervision...
-
American Singles
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
No Comments
A large group of the entire American population (43 percent) is composed of singles—that is, those who are unmarried, have never been married, have no partner (including widowed, separated and divorced individuals) or simply, are living alone. There are about 95.7 million singles scattered across...
-
American Demographics
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
No Comments
Considering the vastness of the topic of American demographics, it is convenient to limit discussions on the subject to the demographic field of American population. American demographics give in-depth estimates of all the major trends of the nation, as well as the regions of the...
-
American College Of Cardiology
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
No Comments
Health is wealth. To support this, many organizations, profit or non-profit, have been trying to develop and widen the area of maintenance of the good health of people. These organizations hold themselves responsible for finding a cure for most diseases that has been plaguing people...