San Qi Gingseng



The number of species in this genus of perennials is disputed and may be three or six, depending on whether P. pseudoginseng is regarded as a single species with variants or four separate species. They are distributed in S and E Asia, and N America. Panax ginseng is an ancient Taoist tonic herb, which has been used as a qi (vital essence) tonic in Chinese medicine for about 5000 years. It was introduced to Europe several times in the 9th century onward but assumed no importance in Western medicine until studies by Soviet scientists in the early 1950's established it as an "adaptogen". To increase availability of the drug, they also searched for similar properties in related native species and discovered Eleutherococcus senticosus (See Siberian Ginseng) Panax pseudoginseng var. notoginseng was first mentioned in Chinese medical texts in the 16th century. It is primarily a healing herb and was used extensively by the Vietcong during the Vietnam war to improve recovery from gunshot wounds. Panax quinquefolius was discovered in the 18th century by Jesuit colleagues of Père Jartoux, who deduced that similar plants might exist in N America. It was first collected for export to China by backwoodsmen ("seng diggers"), and was first described in Chinese medicine c.1765. Regarded as more yin than P. ginseng, Panax quinquefolius is given to children and young people, for whom P. ginseng might not be appropriate. In appearance as well as use, the two species are very similar. Panax japonicus (Japanese ginseng, bamboo ginseng) is important in Japan, and in macrobiotic diets, often as an ingredient of tonic teas and liqueurs. The main medicinal species are now rare in the wild, and are cultivated commercially in Korea, China, Russia, and the USA (mainly in Wisconsin). An unrelated species Pfaffia paniculata (See, suma), is known as Brazilian ginseng.

Perennial with thick roots, long, thick rhizomes, and long-stalked, palmate leaves, divided into 3-7 ovate, abruptly pointed leaflets, 7-17cm (3-7in) long. Small flowers appear in a solitary dense umbel in spring or summer, followed by cocoon-shaped berries.


Common Name:
San Qi Ginseng
Other Names:
Sanchi ginseng, tienchi ginseng
Botanical Name:
Panax pseudoginseng var. notoginseng
Genus:
Panax
Family:
Araliaceae
Cultivation:
Moist, well-drained, rich soil in shade, with ample warmth and humidity during the growing season.
Propagation:
By seed sown 2.5cm (1in) deep when ripe. Keep seed in damp moss before sowing; do not allow to dry out. Germination is slow and erratic.
Harvest:
Roots are lifted from 6-7-year-old plants in autumn and used fresh or dried in decoctions, liquid extracts, pills and powders. Processing of P. ginseng varies according to product and quality. Red ginseng is steamed, heat-dried, then sun-dried; white ginseng is peeled and dried for chewing. Flowers are picked in spring and summer for decoctions.
Native Location:
Mountain and woodlands in S China (Yunnan)
Height:
90cm (3ft)
Width:
75cm (30in)
Hardiness:
Z6
Parts Used:
Roots (occasionally flowers)
Properties:
A bittersweet, warming herb that controls bleeding, reduces inflammation, relieves pain, improves circulation and function of adrenal glands, and has anti-bacterial effects.
Medicinal Uses:
Internally for coronary heart disease and angina (roots), dizziness, and vertigo (flowers). Internally and externally for nosebleed, and hemorrhage from lungs, digestive tract, uterus, or injuries (roots).
Precaution:
Contraindicated during pregnancy.
Culinary Uses:
Roots are added to tonic soup.
Bibliography:
The Encyclopedia of Herbs by Deni Bown Copyright © 1995, 2001 Dorling Kindersley Ltd. pp 299-300.