American ginseng,how to use this magic tonic from the past.

Tartar Root or American ginseng.

American Ginseng Extract INCI Name Panax quinquefolius extract CAS 090045-38-8 Panax quinquefolium extract Ginsenosides photo picture image Although some Native American tribes used the root of the plant we now call Ginseng, they considered it mostly as a charm to attract game or a husband and, at least in some tribes, the practice was to harvest it only when the seeds were ripe so they could be planted to insure a harvest years in the future.

Then in the eighteenth century a Jesuit missionary noticed that the plant was almost identical to "jen-shen" a plant highly valued in China for its root which was, and is yet, considered a panacea not to mention an aphrodisiac.(Dobelis) The trade that developed and is ongoing has reduced this once common plant to a rather rare species. So it is that this American plant joins the ranks of the tiger the rhinoceros and the black bear in being driven ever closer to extinction by those that profit from the baseless beliefs of a huge population. Countless studies indicate that any medical effect that this plant may have is that of a tonic, very subtle, effective only over a long term. Much of the Ginseng produced by this country is now cultivated. Cultivation is difficult and takes several years to produce a crop of roots of sufficient size. If you spend a lot of time in remote woods of eastern North America in the late summer or early fall you will likely run into "Sang hunters". Often armed with very small flat spades they venture to rich, cool, hollows and coves where a few remaining patches of Ginseng can be found and can earn several hundred dollars in a day or two of gathering, some time spent drying, and another day taking the dried roots to a buyer who sells it to an exporter and eventually most American Ginseng ends up in China. The Ginseng products available in this country come almost exclusively from Chinese Ginseng which the Chinese consider inferior to the American.

The Chinese name jen-shen and at least one Native American name garantoquen mean "man like". This refers to the root which with a little imagination looks like a man. The scientific name quinquefolius translates into "five leaved cure all".

Ginseng is difficult to spot when in flower as it is not tall, has a small flower and looks rather indistinct among the lower story plants of the forest. In the fall its bright red berries give it away easily. The cluster of bright shinny red fruits look similar to that of Jack in the Pulpit and will catch your eye from a distance. Occurring in small patches in ideal habitat it is occasionally found alone and unexpectedly in shaded woods.

American Ginseng has been traditionally used by the American Indians as a general tonic, as a natural restorative for the weak and wounded, and to help the mind (mental alertness and retention). The word, ginseng, means 'essence of the earth in the form of a man' due to the human-like shape of some ginseng roots.

American Ginseng is native to Canada, eastern US, Wisconsin, and China. American Ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) is closely related to Korean Ginseng (Panax ginseng) - American Ginseng is more appropriate for hot weather conditions as its energy is more cooling (although both are sweet and slightly bitter); while Asian Ginsengs can be used during the colder seasons, as they have a more warming nature. Or, in other words, American Ginseng is more sedative and relaxing, and increases "yin" energy, in contrast to Korean Ginseng (Panax) which is more stimulating and invigorating, and increases the "yang" energy. The part of the plants used is the root. American Ginseng's known active constituents include glycosides (ginsenosides), saponins, and phytosterol.

Ginseng is the ultimate example of man's almost mystical interaction with nature. Ginseng plays the central role in a good deal of Chinese mythology, medicine, commerce and trade. For Western man, the economic value of Ginseng outweighed its medicinal value until the past 20 years or so, during which time extensive research on the plant has grown explosively1, and has tended to verify and extend the various medicinal claims. Ginseng is, of course, the famous Asiatic tonic that has been shown in numerous studies to affect mental and physical behavior.

Ginseng has been found to protect the body and nervous system from stress, stimulate and increase metabolic function, increase physical and mental efficiency, lower blood pressure and glucose levels when they are high, and raise them (blood pressure and glucose levels) when they are low, increase gastrointestinal movement and tone, increase iron metabolism, and cause changes in nucleic acid (RNA) biosynthesis.

In geriatric use, Ginseng has been proven beneficial in restoring mental abilities. Ginseng also helps by directly affecting the adrenal-pituitary axis, the result of which is manifested by an increased resistance to the effects of stress. This herb also aids mental function by improving circulation. Animal studies have clearly demonstrated Ginseng's ability to help the learning process. Ginseng has also been found to stimulate the central nervous system in small amounts, and depress the central nervous system in large doses.

Topical applications include use in many anti-wrinkle facial products. Historical culinary uses include the use of the roots cooked into various soups and grains. Ginseng has also been added to candies, soda and liqueurs.

Reference:

1.American ginseng,how to use this magic tonic from the past.

last edit date:8th,Mar.2010.

Available Product

Name:American Ginseng Extract
Serie No:P005.
Specifications:5:1 TLC
INCI Name:PANAX QUINQUEFOLIUS EXTRACT
EINECS/ELINCS No.:N/A
CAS:090045-38-8
Chem/IUPAC Name:Panax quinquefolius extract is an extract of the roots of the american ginseng,Panax quinquefolius,Araliaceae.

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