Botanical Data and Brief of American Ginseng

American ginseng
Scientific Name:Panax quinquefolius L.
Biological Name: Panax Ginseng, Panax quinquefolius
Genus: Panax Family: Araliaceae Order: Apiales Class: Magnoliopsida Symbol : PAQU
Common Name : American ginseng
Scientific Name : Panax quinquefolius L.
Official Latin Name: Panax quinquefolia
Other Names: American Ginseng, Five fingers, Tartar Root, five leafed ginseng, redberry, garantoquen, sang, Ginseng - American,Amerikaanse Ginseng,Amerikanischer Ginseng,Red Berry,Panax quinquefolius
Parts Used: Root

Nomenclature:
American ginseng Panax quinquefolium. The name has remained relatively stable, but debate has existed as to whether the specific epithet should end with the masculine "us" (P. quinquefolius) or the neuter "um" (P. quinquefolium). While some argue for the neuter ending as it appeared in the work of Linnaeus, according to Graham (1966) and Tucker et al. (1989), the International Code of Botanical Nomenclature (article 76) dictates that this specific epithet must be treated as a masculine, thus should be Panax quinquefolius. Panax derives from Greek roots, pan meaning "all," and akos , "cure," referring to the "cure all" or "panacea" attributes of the root's healthful virtues. "Ginseng" means "essence of the earth in the form of a man" (Graham, 1966).
Common Uses:Relief for emotional stress,mental fatigue;Improvement of memory.
Remedies Uses:Demulcent, panacea, stimulant, stomachic

Ginseng is best known for its anti-fatigue, energy giving properties. It is widely used as a stimulant.
This herb is believed to be of value in any condition where nervous or mental exhaustion is concerned. Accepted as being beneficial in loss of appetite, stomach and digestive affections (to relieve nausea and vomiting)
American Indian tribes use it as a love potion and charm. It is world's number one aphrodisiac.

A slow growing herb native to North America. The root is used to treat respiratory and digestive disorders. Plant is 16" tall. pk/20 Growing Instructions: Sow seeds directly in prepared ground 0.5" deep about 3" apart and cover with soil. Place 4" of straw or leaves over soil. Seeds planted in the fall will germinate next spring, so keep area undisturbed.

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American Ginseng:Wisconsin Ginseng

Wisconsin Ginseng is known worldwide as the purest, highest quality ginseng. Panax quinquefolius, better known as American Ginseng, is a white root with medicinal properties known to relieve stress, increase stamina and increase resistance to common illnesses such as colds. Wisconsin has the ideal climate and mineral-rich soil conditions for growing the perfect ginseng root. When consumers want the best ginseng, they ask for Wisconsin Ginseng; the world’s finest.

Why Wisconsin Ginseng?
Wisconsin has cool summers, rolling hills and virgin soil to grow highly potent American ginseng. Producers in Wisconsin also have generations of growing experience. Their hard work and advanced farming practices produce the world's highest quality cultivated ginseng.

Wisconsin Ginseng Quality
Wisconsin Ginseng is known as the highest-quality panax quinquefolius in the world and has the reputation for the best quality in the world.

The United States has strict pesticide usage standards for agricultural products. Pesticides used on Wisconsin-grown American Ginseng have satisfied rigorous safety tests established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Recently, the Ginseng Board of Wisconsin has worked extensively to develop U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) grading standards for cultivated American ginseng to assure the marketplace of consistency in ginseng produced.

Additionally, Wisconsin Ginseng contains very high ginsenoside (the active ingredient) levels. Comparitavely speaking, Wisconsin Ginseng generally averages higher levels of ginsenoside than panax quinquefolius grown outside of the United States. Wisconsin Ginsing also offers the highly-desired bitter taste. This unique taste gives Wisconsin Ginseng the reputation for the best quality in the world.

The GBW is managed by an elected board of seven Ginseng producers. The board functions under a marketing order managed by the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade & Consumer Protection.

About Wisconsin Ginseng
Know Your Ginseng
Ginseng is a key ingredient used in Traditional Chinese Medicine. It is also widely used in Western cultures a dietary supplement and botanical element.

There are two types of ginseng. Often both types are taken for a health balancing effect. Consumers take American ginseng for a cooling effect and Asian ginseng for a heating effect.

Types of Ginseng
Panax quinquefolius (American ginseng)
This ginseng is white root and generally used to cool the body. It is an adaptogen (a substance that helps the body adapt to stress) that cools and soothes. American ginseng is produced in Wisconsin

Panax ginseng (Asian ginseng)
This warms the body. This root is red and is typically grown in China and Korea. It is used to increase stimulation and warm the body.

Note: although the name might indicate otherwise, Siberian ginseng is technically not a species of ginseng.

The Yin and Yang of It
According to Chinese philosophy, the universe is said to be composed of Yin and Yang, or opposites. The balance of opposites determines the order of the universe. This concept of opposing natural forces is widespread among philosophers in Chinese history.

Yin and Yang requires bodily functions, such as blood pressure, blood sugar, and energy to be in balance. Wisconsin American Ginseng represents the Yin for the body; it has a cooling effect. The Yang is represented by Asian ginseng with its heating effect.

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Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM):Asian Ginseng And American Ginseng

Traditional Chinese Medicine Views the Two Ginsengs Very Differently.
Sharing a name but used in disparate ways, both ginsengs are common in Chinese herbal medicine. Understand the different ginsengs to know which is most likely to help you
Herbal ginseng supplements are everywhere. Ginseng root has been touted as a general health and immune system stimulant. Asian ginseng (Panax ginseng) and American ginseng (Panacis quinquefolii) are both used in Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine but each has very specific properties. One ginseng may be better for an individual than the other, depending on personal health problems.

The product sold as Siberian ginseng is actually a very distantly related plant, Eleutherococcus senticosus. It will not be discussed here, as it is not routinely used in Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Asian Ginseng
True ginseng, known as Ren Shen, is found in many of the oldest and most basic Chinese herbal formulas. It is a Qi tonic that strengthens the Lungs, Spleen and Stomach. People suffering from chronic diarrhea, Irritable Bowel Syndrome or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome might benefit from taking Asian ginseng. This ginseng is also used in treating diabetes, called wasting and thirsting in Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Asian ginseng can be used in the aftermath of illnesses with high fever and profuse sweating. It should not, however, be taken during such an illness as it may ‘tonify the disease’ rather than the patient. Because it functions as an immune supplement, Asian ginseng should not be taken constantly. A two-month course of Asian ginseng should be followed by at least two weeks without taking any.

Asian ginseng may be contraindicated for people with Yin Deficiency signs such as night sweats, hot palms and soles, insomnia and lots of nervous energy.

Overdose symptoms include headache, high blood pressure, insomnia and palpitations. In China, mung bean soup is used to treat overdose symptoms.

Korean ginseng, also called red ginseng or Hong Shen, is cultivated Asian ginseng which is steam cured. Most ginseng used today is cultivated as overharvesting has made the wild plant scarce.

American Ginseng
Xi Yang Shen, or American ginseng, is used in cases of Yin Deficiency where heat signs prevail. Night sweats, hot hands and feet, insomnia and nervousness may be eased with this herb. American ginseng benefits the Lungs, Heart and Kidneys.

Unlike Asian ginseng, which is warming, American ginseng is cooling. As can be seen, the two herbs work in very different ways, but they can be complementary for people with both Yin and Qi Deficiency as they would somewhat balance each other. Wild American ginseng is listed as Endangered by CITES since unregulated harvesting has eliminated the plant in many areas. When buying wild American ginseng, ensure that it has been sustainably harvested according to US Fish and Wildlife Service guidelines.

With the ready availability of herbal ginseng supplements, it is important to understand the types of ginseng and their healing properties to ensure that you are taking the right type of ginseng. It is important to remember when using herbal supplements that different people with different health issues will benefit from knowing which herbs are indicated for their situation.

http://chinese-medicine.suite101.com/article.cfm/tcm_asian_and_american_ginseng

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american ginseng in chinese medicine

American Ginseng
American Ginseng Is a type of Ginseng originally found in North America. China is currently one the worlds largest exporter of American Ginseng products. Compared with Asian Ginseng's, American Ginseng is appreciated In Traditional Chines Medicine (TCM) for its "cooling" or calming - yet revitalizing properties. American Ginseng is also thought to be effective in promoting the secretion of body fluids. American Ginseng is an ideal supplement for those seeking a calming and restorative long term supplement.

TCM Alternatives offers four American Ginseng products: American Ginseng Tea, American Ginseng Royal Tonic, American Ginseng Capsules, and American Ginseng with Tienchi.

A Busy Life..

Those who lead a busy life, especially those doing a lot of mental work, should use American Ginseng on a regular basis to harmonize the body and maintain good health.

It is especially helpful for, urban dwellers. People who smoker, or who are prone to fatigue or irritability may also find this product useful. It is good for chronic coughs because of its soothing effect on lungs. American Ginseng has also been used with success in Traditional Chinese Medicine in some cases of helping people with the effects of detoxifying from the effects substance abuse.

Background

In modern China, American Ginseng is frequently called ‘‘Green Gold"' due to its therapeutic value. Like all Ginseng's, those growing wild are the best, and the most expensive. American Ginseng reduces "heatiness", quenches thirst and restores energy levels and has a calming or "cooling" effect on the systems of the body. TCM Alternatives offer both cultivated and wild American Ginseng products.

A potent mixture of American Ginseng and Tienchi, a formula that uniquely combines the renowned pain relieving qualities of Tienchi with the soothing effect of American Ginseng. An elegant combination. Click here...

American Ginseng in TCM

American Ginseng is considered a yin tonic, whereas the Asian Ginseng's are Qi or stimulating tonics. Alternate Pin Yin names (the western alphabet for Mandarin) for American Ginseng include Si Yangshen and Paoshen.

http://members.fortunecity.com/davidpilling/html/usginseng.htm

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