American ginseng

The aromatic root of American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) resembles a small parsnip that forks as it matures. The plant grows 6 to 18 in (15 to 46 cm) tall, usually bearing three leaves, each with three to five leaflets, 2 to 5 in (5 to 13 cm) long.

American ginseng can be found in much of the eastern and central United States and in part of southeastern Canada.[7][8] It is found primarily in deciduous forests of the Appalachian and Ozark regions of the United States.[9] American ginseng is found in full shade environments in these deciduous forests' underneath hardwoods.[10]

In the United States, American ginseng is generally not listed as an endangered species, but it has been declared under threat by some states. States recognizing American ginseng as endangered include Maine and Rhode Island. States recognizing American ginseng as vulnerable are New York and Pennsylvania. States recognizing American ginseng as threatened are Michigan, New Hampshire, and Virginia. Connecticut, Massachusetts, North Carolina, and Tennessee recognize American ginseng as a special concern.[7][11]

In Canada, American ginseng is listed as endangered nationally, particularly in Ontario, and as threatened in Quebec (the highest risk categories in both provinces).[12]

Chemical structure of protopanaxadiol

Like Panax ginseng, American ginseng contains dammarane-type ginsenosides, or saponins, as the major biologically active constituents. Dammarane-type ginsenosides include two classifications: 20(S)-protopanaxadiol (PPD) and 20(S)-protopanaxatriol (PPT). American ginseng contains high levels of Rb1, Rd (PPD classification), and Re (PPT classification) ginsenosides—higher than that of P. ginseng in one study.[13]

When taken orally, PPD-type ginsenosides are mostly metabolized by intestinal bacteria (anaerobes) to PPD monoglucoside, 20-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-20(S)-protopanaxadiol (M1).[14] In humans, M1 is detected in plasma starting seven hours after intake of PPD-type ginsenosides and in urine starting 12 hours after intake. These findings indicate M1 is the final metabolite of PPD-type ginsenosides.[15]

M1 is referred to in some articles as IH-901,[16] and in others as compound-K.[15]

The plant's root and leaves were used in traditional medicine by Native Americans. Since the 18th century, the roots were collected by "sang hunters" and sold to Chinese or Hong Kong traders, who paid high prices for particularly old wild roots.[17]

There is no evidence that American ginseng is effective against the common cold.[18]

Cold-fX is a product derived from the roots of North American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius). The makers of Cold-fX were criticized for making health claims about the product that have never been tested or verified scientifically. Health Canada's review of the scientific literature confirmed that this is not a claim that the manufacturer is entitled to make.[19]

Individuals requiring anticoagulant therapy such as warfarin should avoid use of ginseng.[18] It is not recommended for individuals with impaired liver or renal function, or during pregnancy or breastfeeding.[18] Other adverse effects include headaches, anxiety, trouble sleeping and an upset stomach.[18]

Recent studies have shown that through the many cultivated procedures that American ginseng is grown, fungal molds, pesticides, and various metals and residues have contaminated the crop. Though these contaminating effects are not considerably substantial, they do pose health concerns that could lead to neurological problems, intoxication, cardiovascular disease and cancer.[20]

American ginseng was formerly particularly widespread in the Appalachian and Ozark regions (and adjacent forested regions such as Pennsylvania, New York and Ontario). Due to its popularity and unique habitat requirements, the wild plant has been overharvested, as well as lost through destruction of its habitat, and is thus rare in most parts of the United States and Canada.[21] Ginseng is also negatively affected by deer browsing, urbanization, and habitat fragmentation.[22] It can be grown commercially, under artificial shade, woods-cultivated, or wild-simulated methods, and is usually harvested after three to four years, depending on cultivation technique; the wild-simulated method often requires up to 10 years before harvest.

Ontario, Canada, is the world's largest producer of North American ginseng.[23][24] Marathon County, Wisconsin, accounts for about 95% of production in the United States.[25] Woods-grown American ginseng programs in Vermont, Maine, Tennessee, Virginia, North Carolina, Colorado, West Virginia, and Kentucky,[26] have been encouraging the planting of ginseng both to restore natural habitats and to remove pressure from any remaining wild ginseng.

The name ginseng derives from the Chinese herbalism term, jen-shen.[27] Other Chinese names are huaqishen (simplified Chinese: 花旗参; traditional Chinese: 花旗參; pinyin: huāqíshēn; Cantonese Yale: fākèihsām; lit. 'Flower Flag ginseng') or xiyangshen (simplified Chinese: 西洋参; traditional Chinese: 西洋參; pinyin: xīyángshēn; Cantonese Yale: sāiyèuhngsām; lit. 'west ocean ginseng').

The word “panax” is derived from the Greek ‘Panakos’ (panacea), in reference to the various benefits attributed to the herb. The word “ginseng” is said to mean “the wonder of the world”.[28]

American ginseng is listed in Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species to control international trade.[29]

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  American ginseng in human figure.
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  Under wooden shade, American ginseng in late fall at Monk Garden in Wisconsin
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  A picture of the American ginseng plant with fruit.
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  American ginseng berries are ripe by late fall in Wisconsin.
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  A drawn image of the fruit and leaf of the American ginseng plant.
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  A drawn image of the American ginseng plants leaves.
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  American wild ginseng root (Panax quinquefolius). Old roots, ranging from 40–60 growth scars.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Panax quinquefolius.

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• American ginseng, Smithsonian Institution, 2023