American Ginseng– (Panax quinquefolius) The Tonic* Root that Spans the Ages…

American Ginseng Root (Panax quinquefolius) is similar to Chinese Ginseng (Panax ginseng),which grows in China. American Ginseng is also known as Anchi Ginseng, Baie Rouge, Canadian Ginseng, and grows wild in northern hardwood forests in North America. The plant is deciduous and has 3 to 7 lobe shaped leaves supported by a single stem. The white tap roots of the Panax plant contain the much prized components, which enjoy a long history of traditional use, as well as a wide array of scientific investigation. American ginseng, amazingly, is more prized in China than their own native variety!

Native Americans honored American ginseng’s healing* effects and revered the plant, calling it garentoquen, which translates as “man’s thighs and legs apart”, which reflected on how the root looks when it grows, appearing to be a ‘little man’. They used it as a traditional health support* and as an amulet to repulse bad luck*, attract auspicious events and become skillful and brave during war.

The United States officially reported a ginseng crop in 1895, but the Jesuit priests were already trading American ginseng with the Chinese in 1718. American ginseng contains components* called ginsenosides, as well as other natural chemicals, including polysaccharides.These compounds may help to explain why ginseng supports many aspects of health. *