GINSENG

Panax quinquefolius  (PAN-ax quin-que-FOLE-ee-us)

COMMON NAMES: GINSENG

FAMILY:   Araliaceae

TYPE:     Perennial

LOCATION: Full shade

PLANTING: Plant roots in spring or fall. Roots should be dug in the fall and planted in the spring for best results.

HEIGHT:   10 to 20 inches 

SPREAD:   8 to 12 inches

FINAL SPACING: 12 inches

BLOOM/FRUIT: After 3 year maturation has small yellow-green flowers, then sets berries.

GROWTH HABITS/CULTURE:  Likes cool, shady spots. Ginseng is a small plant with a long root and has compound leaves of five leaflets with toothed edges. Summer-borne flowers are greenish yellow followed by small red berries. Big fleshy roots that can grow to a 2 foot depth. Needs deep, well drained, acid soil.

PROBLEMS: Heat, some chewing insect damage. Needs plenty of moisture and shade. Slow growing. Seed germination takes 18-24 months.

HARVEST/STORAGE: Don’t harvest for at least three years. 5th or 6th year is best. Dig the roots in the fall.

CULINARY USES: None.

MEDICINAL USES: General tonic. Used as a tonic and to treat a wide range of ailments, including nausea, vomiting and irregular menstrual flow. Ginseng is also reputed to have aphrodisiacal and anti-fatigue effects. Siberian ginseng is reported to be the most powerful
as a sexual stimulant. American ginseng is excellent for endurance, vitality and anti-depression. According to Dr. Judy Griffin the ginseng grown in Texas has not had good medicinal qualities. Ginseng tea should not be stored more than a day to prevent loss of medicinal power.

LANDSCAPE USES: None   

OTHER USES:   Make a fairly good container plant.

INSIGHT:      Ginseng gets its name from the Chinese word schinseng meaning “man-shaped”. Ginseng can have the same effect as caffeine on sleep.

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