Ginseng

Panax ginseng C. A. Mey. (Ren Shen) is a perennial herbaceous plant belonging to the Araliaceae family, genus Panax. It can grow up to 60 cm in height; the rhizome is short, and the main root is fusiform. Palmate compound leaves, 3–6, are whorled at the stem apex; petioles are 3–8 cm long, glabrous. Leaflets 3–5, membranous; the central leaflet is elliptic or oblong-elliptic, 8–12 cm long; lateral leaflets are ovate or rhomboid-ovate, 2–4 cm long; apex long acuminate, base broadly cuneate; margins finely serrated with spinose tips; upper surface sparsely hispid, lower surface glabrous; lateral veins 5–6 pairs. Petiolules 0.5–2.5 cm long. Umbels solitary at stem apex, with 30–50 flowers; peduncles 15–30 cm long. Pedicels 0.8–1.5 cm long. Flowers pale yellowish-green; calyx with 5 small teeth, glabrous; petals 5; filaments short; ovary 2-celled, styles 2, separate. Fruit is a flattened-globose drupe, bright red, 6–7 mm in diameter; seeds Kidney-shaped, milky white.

Distributed in China, Russia, and Korea; in China, it is distributed in eastern Liaoning, the eastern half of Jilin, and eastern Heilongjiang. Generally found under deciduous broad-leaved forests or mixed coniferous and broad-leaved forests at altitudes of several hundred meters. It prefers loose, well-aerated, well-drained, fertile sandy loam soil; likes shade, and a cool, humid climate is beneficial for its growth; it tolerates low temperatures, avoids direct strong light, and prefers scattered, weak light.

The fleshy root of *Panax ginseng* (Renshen) is traditionally used as a nourishing tonic that supports healthy blood pressure regulation, Heart function, nervous system health, and general vitality. It also helps maintain respiratory comfort, digestive health, normal urine flow, and mental alertness. The stems, leaves, flowers, and fruits of *Panax ginseng*, along with processing by-products, serve as raw materials for light industry, enabling the production of items such as cigarettes, wine, tea, crystal extracts, and pastes containing ginseng components. Ginseng cultivation is a key component of diversified farming operations, generating substantial tax revenue and profit for the state.

Botanical History

Plants of the genus *Panax* in the family Araliaceae originated in the Cenozoic Tertiary Period, approximately 60 million years ago, and were very prosperous at that time. Later, due to the Quaternary glaciation, their distribution area was greatly reduced. *Panax ginseng* and other plants of the genus *Panax* became ancient relict plants that survived. According to current research, the Taihang Mountain system and the Changbai Mountain system are the places of origin for ginseng. This is recorded in the *Mingyi Bielu* (Miscellaneous Records of Famous Physicians) by Tao Hongjing during the Southern and Northern Dynasties: “Ginseng grows in the valleys of Shangdang and in Liaodong.” The same text also describes the morphological characteristics and ecological habits of ginseng. Shangdang corresponds to parts of present-day Changzhi County and Licheng County in Shanxi Province, which belong to the Taihang Mountain system; Liaodong corresponds to the southern part of present-day Liaoning Province. According to the *Lu’an Prefecture Gazetteer*, on Zituan Mountain, “a purple aura often appears at the summit, round like a canopy, where ginseng called Zituan ginseng was once produced.” The use of ginseng from the Changbai Mountain system can be traced back to the Southern and Northern Dynasties, over 1,600 years ago.

Ginseng is a valuable botanical herb used in traditional wellness practices. Historical Chinese medical texts record its various folk names, including Renxian (human connector), Guigai (ghost cover), Dijing (earth essence), Shencao (divine herb), Xueshen (blood ginseng), Tujing (earth essence), Renjiao (human sign), Yujing (jade essence), Huangshan (yellow ginseng), Haisou (sea vessel), Chushi (chick stone), Baichigan (hundred-foot pole), Jinjingyulan (golden well and jade orchid), and Haier shen (child ginseng). It is often referred to as the “King of Herbs.” The Latin genus name “Panax” combines “Pan” (meaning “all”) and “Axos” (meaning “medicine”), suggesting its traditional use for supporting overall wellness. The species name “Ginseng” is a phonetic transliteration of the Chinese characters “人参.”

During the 3rd to 4th centuries CE, the Xianbei people inhabiting the northeast region established the Former Yan Kingdom in the Liao River area (near present-day Liaoyang, Liaoning Province). Their king, Murong Huang, presented Panax ginseng (Renshen) as a gift to Gu He, an official of the Jin Dynasty. After the Tang and Song dynasties, ginseng became a treasured tribute item offered by northeastern ethnic groups to feudal emperors. Historical records such as the *History of the Khitan State* (Qidan Guo Zhi) and the *History of the Great Jin State* (Da Jin Guo Zhi) document that “the region abounds in forests and mountains, the fields are suitable for hemp and grain, and Panax ginseng (Renshen) is a local product.”

During the reign of Emperor Yuan of the Han Dynasty (33–48 BC), the Yellow Gate Official Shi You authored the *Jijiuzhang* (Quick Guide to Characters), which contains the earliest verifiable documentary record of ginseng (*Panax ginseng*) in China and the world. The *Shennong Bencao Jing* (Shennong’s Classic of Materia Medica) of the Eastern Han Dynasty listed ginseng as a superior grade. Later medical texts—such as Zhang Zhongjing’s *Shanghan Lun* (Treatise on Cold Damage) of the Later Han, Hua Tuo’s *Zhongcang Jing* (Central Treasury Canon) of Wei, Sun Simiao’s *Qianjin Beiji Fang* (Emergency Formulas Worth a Thousand Gold) of Tang, Zhen Quan’s *Yaoxing Bencao* (Materia Medica of Medicinal Properties) of Tang, Su Jing’s *Tang Bencao* (Tang Materia Medica) of Tang, Shi Huazi’s *Zhujia Bencao* (Materia Medica of Various Authors) of Song, Li Dongyuan’s *Yongyao Faxiang* (Methods and Images of Using Medicinals) of Yuan, Zhang Jiebin’s *Jingyue Quanshu* (Complete Works of Jingyue) of Ming, Li Shizhen’s *Bencao Gangmu* (Compendium of Materia Medica) of Ming, and Chen Shiduo’s *Bencao Xinbian* (New Compilation of Materia Medica) of Qing—all record the properties of ginseng and the prescriptions that incorporate ginseng in combinations. The *Shi Le Biezhuan* (Biography of Shi Le) states: “At first, ginseng grew in Shi Le’s garden, lush and flourishing.” Shi Le was the ruler of Later Zhao during the Western Jin Dynasty, a member of the Jie tribe (a branch of the Xiongnu). In his youth, he lived in Wuxiang, Shangdang (now northwest of Xiangyuan County, Shanxi Province) and made a living as a traveling merchant. It was Shi Le who transformed wild ginseng into cultivated ginseng for the purpose of trading. Based on this evidence, it can be inferred that the cultivation of ginseng in China can be traced back to the late Western Jin Dynasty, over 1,660 years ago. During the reigns of Emperor Qianlong to Tongzhi of the Qing Dynasty, the cultivation of ginseng developed rapidly and its scale gradually expanded.

The processing and preparation of Panax ginseng (Renshen) began approximately during the Three Kingdoms period (220–265 CE). According to the *Bowuzhi* (Records of Diverse Matters) by Zhang Hua of the Jin dynasty, Emperor Wen of Wei recorded that “Jini (Adenophora species) can be mistaken for ginseng.” Jini is a plant from the Campanulaceae family (genus *Adenophora*), and its dried root closely resembles that of ginseng. From this, it is inferred that sun-dried ginseng (Shengshaishen) processing methods already existed at that time. In the Southern Song dynasty, Xu Jing’s *Gaoli Tujing* (Illustrated Account of Goryeo) recorded: “Goryeo ginseng comes in two grades, raw and processed; raw ginseng is white and soft in texture, retains full medicinal properties, but is prone to insect damage in summer heat. When boiled in a pot, it becomes processed and can be stored for a long time.” This describes the origin of processing “Tang shen” (water-boiled ginseng) or “Tangtong shen.” In the Ming dynasty, Gao Hu’s *Zunsheng Bajian* (Eight Treatises on the Nurturing of Life) recorded a method for preparing ginseng: “Select firm yellow ginseng, soften with honey water, place in a silk bag, and steam over dry wine-soaked rice three to four times, then sun-dry.” This was an early method for preparing steamed red ginseng (Hong shen). From the evolution of ginseng processing history, it can be seen that ginseng processing developed from simple to complex: from sun-drying, to boiling and then sun-drying, to steaming followed by baking and air-drying, eventually evolving into the modern method for processing red ginseng.

Primary Value

Modern medicine indicates that Panax ginseng (Renshen) plays a significant role in supporting the health of the nervous, cardiovascular, endocrine, digestive, reproductive, and respiratory systems, as well as during surgical procedures. Its applications in promoting overall well-being include:

For supporting nervous system health and mental well-being: Ginseng helps regulate the central nervous system and supports a balanced mental state. For individuals with an overactive mental state, it is often combined with Polygala tenuifolia (Yuan Zhi) and Ziziphus spinosa (Suan Zao Ren); for those with a depressed state, it is often combined with Scutellaria baicalensis (Huang Qin) and Os Draconis (Long Gu); for those experiencing autonomic nervous system imbalance with spontaneous sweating, it is combined with Schisandra chinensis (Wu Wei Zi), Paeonia lactiflora (Bai Shao), and Triticum aestivum (Fu Xiao Mai). After taking Ginseng, individuals may experience support in managing occasional headaches, Heart palpitations, sleep difficulties, memory lapses, and feelings of fatigue, and may also support healthy weight gain. Ginseng also provides support for individuals with low-energy and depressive mental conditions, including those related to stress or convalescence. Additionally, Ginseng may help support memory, work efficiency, physical endurance, and motor coordination.

Panax ginseng (Renshen) supports cardiovascular system health: It helps maintain healthy Heart contraction strength and rhythm, promotes the body’s natural circulation, and contributes to metabolic processes. In turn, this supports nutritional balance and helps sustain physical vitality while reinforcing the body’s inherent defenses. The ginsenosides in Panax ginseng (Renshen) help activate phospholipid protease, thereby promoting phospholipid biosynthesis and supporting the health of the coronary and aortic vessels. Panax ginseng (Renshen) supports overall cardiovascular and circulatory health, as well as healthy blood composition.

Ginseng (Ren Shen) supports the body’s endocrine system in maintaining its normal secretory functions, helping to sustain the healthy activity of the pituitary-adrenal axis. It aids in supporting balanced blood sugar levels that are already within the normal range. For individuals with mild blood sugar imbalances, ginseng may help maintain normal urinary glucose levels. For those with moderate imbalances, it may assist in supporting overall comfort by helping to maintain a sense of well-being and reducing occasional thirst, perspiration, and feelings of weakness. Additionally, ginseng may help support the body’s own insulin utilization, contributing to normal metabolic function.

Ginseng helps support reproductive vitality and is traditionally used in Chinese medicine to nourish Jing (essence) and tonify the Kidneys. It may support healthy male sexual function, particularly in cases of occasional performance fatigue or stress-related tension. Ginseng supports normal sperm motility and helps maintain healthy reproductive function. (Note: For cases related to mental or emotional factors, individual results may vary.)

supports digestive system health (including stomach and Liver): Panax ginseng (Renshen) promotes healthy secretion of digestive fluids, helps maintain normal gastric acid levels, and supports the Spleen and Stomach in cases of Qi Deficiency presenting with occasional feelings of fullness, loose stools, or discomfort. It contributes to stomach comfort, supports a healthy appetite, and helps maintain normal bowel movements. For example, it is used in the formula Si Jun Zi Tang (Four Gentlemen Decoction) with other herbal ingredients. Panax ginseng (Renshen) also supports the Liver’s normal synthesis of proteins and nucleic acids, thereby assisting the Liver’s natural recovery process and helping maintain healthy Liver function during the recovery phase.

supports immune system function and overall vitality: Panax ginseng (Renshen) helps maintain the body’s natural resistance, supports healthy cellular function, and promotes a balanced internal environment for individuals managing health challenges. It also supports normal white blood cell levels during periods of physiological stress.

Panax ginseng (Renshen) supports the hematopoietic function of the bone marrow. It helps promote the metabolism of ribonucleic acid (RNA), deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), proteins, cholesterol, fats, and sugars, and supports bone marrow cell mitosis, contributing to an increase in the numbers of red blood cells and white blood cells in the blood, as well as nucleated cells in the bone marrow, thereby supporting the hematopoietic function of the bone marrow. Panax ginseng (Renshen) also helps maintain bone marrow health in the context of radiation exposure.

Surgery: The juice, leaves, and powder of Panax ginseng (Renshen) support the rapid natural supports of minor wounds and occasional skin irritations. Panax ginseng (Renshen) paste helps maintain a balanced internal environment and supports the body’s normal response to occasional swelling.

Other: Ginseng also supports visual acuity and adaptability to dark environments, making it a beneficial aid for those working in low-light conditions to maintain healthy vision. Additionally, ginseng supports normal skeletal muscle excitability in children.