ginseng

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ginseng

(jĭn`sĕng), common name for the Araliaceae, a family of tropical herbs, shrubs, and trees that are often prickly and sometimes grow as climbing forms. The true ginseng (Panax ginseng), long prized by the Chinese for its medicinal qualities, was in such demand that a North American ginseng, P. quinquefolius, was imported in large quantities as a substitute. Both species have been all but exterminated in the wild by commercial exploitation. The herbal medicine ginseng is prepared from the plants' dried roots; it is used as a mild sedative and to increase stamina.

The widely varied family includes also the dwarf ginseng (P. trifolium) of North America; the English ivy (Hedera helix), a popular ornamental evergreen vine; the Hercules'-club, devil's-club, or devil's-walking-stick (names applied to several related species) of North America and E Asia, used locally for medicinal purposes; and the rice-paper plant (Tetrapanax papyriferus) of China, the pith of which is used to make Chinese rice paper. Native American species of this family include the wild sarsaparilla (Aralia nudicaulis) and the American, or wild, spikenard (A. racemosa). The names sarsaparillasarsaparilla
, common name for various plants belonging to two different classes and also for an extract from their roots, formerly much used in medicine and in beverages.
..... Click the link for more information. and spikenardspikenard
, name for several plants. The biblical spikenard, or nard, was a costly aromatic ointment, preserved in alabaster boxes, whose chief ingredient is believed to have been derived from Nardostachys grandiflora (or N.
..... Click the link for more information. are applied also to plants of other families.

Ginseng is classified in the division MagnoliophytaMagnoliophyta
, division of the plant kingdom consisting of those organisms commonly called the flowering plants, or angiosperms. The angiosperms have leaves, stems, and roots, and vascular, or conducting, tissue (xylem and phloem).
..... Click the link for more information. , class Magnoliopsida, order Apiales, family Araliaceae.

ginseng

The root is the part you want. White flowers, red fruit, 4-5 leaves. The most famous adaptogen of all herbs. Taking it for several months to a year is far more effective than short term doses. Used for cardiovascular disorders like heart attack, heart disease, lowers high blood pressure. Inhibits growth of liver cancer cells, helps amino acids become protein. Good for anyone drinking alcohol with a damaged stomach lining, because it has polysaccharides that protect against alcohol induced gastric ulcers. Hormone balancer and aphrodisiac for both men and women. Only herb to clinically test as a plant source of testosterone. Increases sperm count. Like viagra, ginseng enhances nitric oxide (NO) synthesis which regulates muscle tone of blood vessels that control flow to the penis, leading to stronger erection for impotent men, and cardiovascular performance for sports and bodybuilding. Supports adrenal and prostate functions. Leaves can be used also, but root is most powerful. Taking too much over time can lead to overstimulation. Do not take if pregnant or high blood pressure. Women One of the top herbs for stress. Helps normalize hormones, especially those that guard against breast cancer, endometriosis and hormone-driven problems. It exerts an estrogen effect on the vaginal mucosa, to prevent thinning of vaginal walls after menopause, and the associated discomfort during intercourse. It’s an aphrodisiac, helps cardiovascular system, has an insulin-like effect for sugar removal, anti-aging, wrinkles, stimulates killer cell activity, good for viruses, HIV, helps detox radiation, heavy metals, pollution, good for depression, insomnia, mental clarity, memory, alertness, learning ability, Alzheimer’s. Needs to be taken long term for noticeable effects.

Ginseng

(Chinese, root of life, literally, manroot; Panax schinseng C. A. May), a perennial herbaceous medicinal plant of the family Araliaceae. The root and rhizome of ginseng are perennial wintering organs. The root is rodlike, weakly branched, fleshy, and whitish gray or yellowish. The stem is straight, approximately 50 cm high, in most cases single, with a verticil on its upper part (a top rosette) of three to five leaves (rarely more). The leaves have long petioles and are palmately compound, with five or seven leaflets with sharply serrated edges. A scape with a simple umbel of 15–20 (average) small, greenish white monoecious flowers with a faint aroma rises from the center of the leaf rosette. The fruit is a bright red two- (more rarely one- or three-) seeded drupe. Ginseng flowers in July, and the fruits ripen in August.

Wild ginseng is a rare, relict plant. It is found in the USSR in the Primor’e and Khabarovsk krais, in the northeast portions of China, and in northern Korea. It grows mainly in virgin broad-leaved coniferous forests. It prefers loamy, well-drained soils rich in humus. Wild ginseng grows and develops very slowly; its maximum age is around 100 years, sometimes more. The weight of the root is up to 400 g. Preparations of the root in the form of an alcoholic infusion, powders, or tablets are used as tonics in hypotonia, fatigue, exhaustion, and neurasthenia.

Ginseng is cultivated in the USSR, mainly in the Primor’e Krai; it is compounded in August and September, when the fruit is completely ripe. Successful cultivation experiments are being conducted in the Northern Caucasus and near Moscow. Under cultivation ginseng develops faster, yields a larger root, and is equivalent to the wild form in chemical composition and pharmacological effect.

Ginseng is cultivated in beds laid from east to west and shaded from the sun by lean-to sheds. Leaf humus or peat moss, potassium salt, superphosphate, and, for better aeration, granite gravel (crushed granite) are added to the soil. Ginseng is sown in early spring in seedbeds; in the fall, when they have finished vegetating, the plants are transplanted to permanent places in beds prepared as for the seeds. The feeding area for the plants must be no less than 20 × 25 cm. Care of ginseng plantings requires systematic weeding, cultivating, and hilling and control of pests and diseases. In dry hot weather the plants need irrigation. The roots are harvested at the end of the growing period at the age of five to eight years. Seeds are gathered after the third to fourth year of life of the plant.

Other species most closely related to ginseng that belong to the genus Panax and have medicinal significance are five-leaved, or American, ginseng (Panax quinquefolium Linnaeus), cultivated in the USA and Canada; Panax pseudoginseng Wall, cultivated in southern China and the Democratic Republic of Vietnam; and wild Japanese, or climbing, ginseng (p.japonicus C. A. May). A complete substitute for ginseng has been discovered—the Far Eastern thorny, eleutherococcal shrub Eleutherococcus maxim.

REFERENCES

Gutnikova, Z. I., P. P. Vorob’eva, and I. A. Bunkina. Zhen’shen i ego vozdelyvanie. Vladivostok, 1963.

I. V. GRUSHVITSKII

ginseng

[′jin‚seŋ] (botany) The common name for plants of the genus Panax, a group of perennial herbs in the family Araliaceae; the aromatic root of the plant has been used medicinally in China.

ginseng

induces passion. [Plant Symbolism: EB, IV: 549]See: Aphrodisiacs

ginseng

1. either of two araliaceous plants, Panax schinseng of China or P. quinquefolius of North America, whose forked aromatic roots are used medicinally 2. the root of either of these plants or a substance obtained from the roots, believed to possess stimulant, tonic, and energy-giving properties

ginseng

enUK

gin·seng

(jin'seng), The roots of several species of Panax (family Araliaceae), esteemed as of great medicinal virtue by the Chinese, used extensively as a "nutriceutical"; alleged to improve mental and physical functions. [Ch.]

ginseng

(jĭn′sĕng′)n.1. Any of several plants of the genus Panax, especially P. ginseng of East Asia or P. quinquefolius of North America, having small greenish flowers grouped in umbels, palmately compound leaves, and forked roots used in herbal medicine.2. The roots or preparations of the roots of any of these plants.

Alternative medicine An herb used as a herbal remedy, as an anxiolytic and antidepressant
Chinese medicine Any of 22 different deciduous plants, mostly of the Panax family—e.g., Panax ginseng—that are native to Southeast Asia; ginseng root contains panaxin, panax acid, panaquilen, panacen, sapogenin, and ginsenin; it is used in Chinese herbal medicine as a tonic and restorative, and said to have immunologic, hormonal, and stress-reducing effects; it has been used for respiratory infections, gastrointestinal complaints including anorexia, bloating, depression, diarrhoea, vomiting, fatigue, impotence, shock, shortness of breath, stress, increased sweating
Physiologic effects Increased testosterone, corticosteroids, gluconeogenesis, central nervous system activity, increased pulse and blood pressure, gastrointestinal motility, haematopoiesis; decreased cholesterol
Toxicity Ginseng should not be used in patients with asthma, arrhythmias, hypertension, or post-menopausal bleeding
Fringe oncology Ginseng’s effect on cancer is inconclusive; weak data suggest it may have carcinoprotective effects. See Unproven methods for cancer management

ginseng

Pharmacognosy An herb used as a herbal remedy, as an anxiolytic and antidepressant Physiologic effects ↑ testosterone, corticosteroids, gluconeogenesis, CNS activity, HTN, ↑ pulse and BP, GI motility, hematopoiesis; ↓ cholesterol Toxicity Ginseng should not be used in Pts with asthma, arrhythmias, HTN, or post-menopausal bleeding. See Unproven methods for cancer management.

gin·seng

(jin'seng) (Panax quinquefolius) Herbal with dozens of purported therapeutic properties (e.g., antidepressant, aphrodisiac, sleep aid, systemic panacea); used worldwide by enormous numbers of people. [Ch.]

ginseng

The root of two perennial Chinese and Korean herbs of the genus Panax—P. quinquefolium or P. schinseng . Ginseng is credited with the power to cure many diseases including cancer, rheumatism and diabetes, and to have powerful aphrodisiac properties. There is no evidence that the herb has any medical or other value.

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Synonyms for ginseng

noun aromatic root of ginseng plants

Related Words

noun Chinese herb with palmately compound leaves and small greenish flowers and forked aromatic roots believed to have medicinal powers

Synonyms

Related Words