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Parts Usually Used
Panax quinquefolius L.:
Roots
Panax schin-seng L.:
Roots
Panax trifolius L.:
Leaves and roots
Eleutherococcus senticosus L.: (Otherwise known as Siberian ginseng)
Description of Plant(s) and Culture
Panax quinquefolius L.:
A perennial slow growing plant with a large spindle-shaped fleshy root and a smooth erect stem; 1-2 feet high. Root sometimes resembling human form, spindle-shaped or forked. At the top of the stem are 3 large leaves palmately divided into 4-5 (occasionally 3-7) sharp-toothed oblong-lance-shaped leaflets. In the leaf axil grows an umbel of yellow-green, scented, flowers. June to July. Fruits 2-seeded red berries follow the blossoms. Partial shade in zone 4.
Panax schin-seng L.: (Chinese Panax ginseng)
Asiatic ginseng is a small perennial plant; the aromatic root common only grows to a length of 2 feet or more and is often divided at the end. The simple, glabrous stem bears near the top a whorl of 3 or 5 palmately compound leaves consisting of 5 oblong-ovate, finely double-serrate leaflets. From June to August the plant is topped by a solitary simple umbel of greenish-yellow flowers. The fruit is a small, red, edible, drupelike berry.
Panax trifolius L.:
Known as Dwarf Ginseng: it is a globe-rooted perennial; 2-8 inches high. Leaves divided into 3 (occasionally 5) toothed, oblong to lance-shaped leaflets. Flowers are white to yellow (or sometimes pinkish), in small umbels; April to May. Fruits green or yellow.
Eleutherococcus senticosus L.: (Otherwise known as Siberian ginseng)
In Russia today, scientists are researching many subjects. As a part of this research, the Russians have been working to find the true medicinal value of plants, and they have been trying to promote a plant of their own, E. senticosus, which they claim has characteristics very much like ginseng.
It is a stimulant, increasing the general tone of the organism, normalizing arterial pressure and reducing an elevated blood sugar level. Helps people resist bad effects of stress more effectively. This herb is not technically ginseng at all but has many of the properties of ginseng and is used the same way.
Other varieties:
Japanese ginseng (Panax japonica); and Tienchi Ginseng (Panax notoginseng), no English equivalent name, also called sanchi. Tienchi is used in processed form, never raw, available in markets in processed slices of the root called Tian Qi Pian.
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Where Found
Panax quinquefolius L.:
Rich woods. Maine to Georgia; Oklahoma to Minnesota. Now an endangered species in much of this area. Wisconsin-grown ginseng is highly valued throughout the Orient.
Panax schin-seng L.:
Found in damp woods of Manchuria and is cultivated primarily in Korea.
Panax trifolius L.:
Rich woods. Nova Scotia to Pennsylvania, Georgia mountains; Indiana, Iowa to Minnesota.
Eleutherococcus senticosus L.: (Otherwise known as Siberian ginseng)
Grown in Siberia.
Medicinal Properties
Panax quinquefolius L.:
Demulcent, tonic, alterative, stimulant, carminative, stomachic, nervine, aphrodisiac
Panax schin-seng L.:
Demulcent, nervine, panacea, stimulant, stomachic, tonic
Panax trifolius L.:
Demulcent, tonic.
Eleutherococcus senticosus L.: (Otherwise known as Siberian ginseng)
Demulcent panacea, stimulant, stomachic, nervine, tonic
Biochemical Information
Panax quinquefolius L.:
Arabinose, calcium, camphor, gineosides, iron, mucilage, panaxosides, resin, saponin, starch, and vitamins A, B12, and E.
Panax schin-seng L.:
Arabinose, calcium, camphor, gineosides, iron, mucilage, panaxosides, resin, saponin, starch, and vitamins A, B12, and E.
Panax trifolius L.:
Arabinose, calcium, camphor, gineosides, iron, mucilage, panaxosides, resin, saponin, starch, and vitamins A, B12, and E.
Eleutherococcus senticosus L.: (Otherwise known as Siberian ginseng)
Eleuherosides
If they contain B12 in the same range as the Korean ginseng found above, it isn't of much use, because ginseng is a typical example of a plant one wouldn't want to eat 100g of!