Herbs, Plants, Trees and Roots | July, 2011

You entered American Ginseng, the more common name is...

American Ginseng has a calming effect and Asian Ginseng has a stimulating effect. Therefore, if one has hypertension or feels stressed they should avoid the Asian type. Asian Ginseng is used as an aphrodisiac, an energy booster and is thought to prolong life. American Ginseng is used as an anti-inflammatory, to calm the nerves and lower stress.

Ginseng

SCIENTIFIC NAME:
(Panax quinquefolium)


Native to eastern North America and as far south as Georgia, Ginseng is endangered in the U.S.. However, it is cultivated in some places including China. A slow growing perennial plant with a smooth erect stem of 1 to 2 feet in height that is topped with three large leaves divided 4-5 or 3-7 sharp toothed oblong lance- shaped leaflets. Tiny yellowish-green lightly scented flowers grows in the leaf axil and are replaced by 2 seeded red berries.



Common Names:

American Ginseng, Xiyangshen, Five-fingers, Five Fingers Root, Five-Leafed Ginseng, Garantogen, Jen-shen, Panax, Pannaq, Redberry, Sang


Ginseng

Uses:

American Ginseng has a calming effect and Asian Ginseng has a stimulating effect. Therefore, if one has hypertension or feels stressed they should avoid the Asian type. Asian Ginseng is used as an aphrodisiac, an energy booster and is thought to prolong life. American Ginseng is used as an anti-inflammatory, to calm the nerves and lower stress.



Applications:

Capsule:
Follow dosages on bottle.

Tea:
Drink up to 2 cups a day.


Warnings:

Those with high blood pressure and pregnant women should not use Ginseng.

With any herb, there is the risk of an allergic reaction. Small children and pregnant women should use additional caution when considering the use of herbal remedies.