What is Ginseng? Types, Species & Traditional Uses
Learn what ginseng is, the difference between Panax and American ginseng, types, and traditional medicinal uses in Asia and America.
What is Ginseng?
Ginseng, also called the ‘king of herbs,’ has been used for thousands of years in East Asian countries as a traditional medicine to treat various diseases.
The plant known as ginseng, which comes from Asia, is thought to promote longevity. The term “rénshēn” refers to “man-root” in Chinese.
The rhizome does, in fact, typically have a man-like shape, with roots and rootlets acting as arms and legs.
Key Active Compounds
Ginseng contains a large number of active components including steroidal saponins, protopanaxadiols, and protopanaxatriols, collectively known as ginsenosides.
There are three main types of chemical constituents in this genus:
- Ginsenosides/saponins
- Nonsaponins
- Miscellaneous, and these can be further subcategorized.
Many products that are available commercially are referred to as “ginseng” or “ginseng-derived.” Many of these, though, have not been produced from ginseng.
Approximately 200 ginsenosides have been reported.
The genus Panax contains eight to thirteen species, three of which are extensively utilized as significant sources of therapeutic constituents:
- P. ginseng or Asian or Korean ginseng
- P. quinquefolius or American ginseng
- P. notoginseng, commonly named sanchi
Origin and distribution
Primary Growing Regions
Asian Ginseng (Panax ginseng): Native to and cultivated in East Asia, such as Korean Peninsula, northeastern China, and other parts including Japan and Russia.
American Ginseng (Panax quinquefolius): Native to the eastern half of North America and cultivated in the United States (e.g., Wisconsin) and Canada (e.g., Ontario and Quebec).
Major Producers and Consumers
- China: The largest producer of ginseng globally.
- South Korea: Another major producer and the largest consumption market for P. ginseng.
- United States and Canada: Significant cultivators of American ginseng.
Ginseng’s components and biological properties vary depending on the geographical area, environment, plant part, and extraction technique.
Compared to American ginseng and Asian ginseng, Sanchi (P. notoginseng ) has a higher total ginsenoside content.
Today, there are three commercially available types of ginseng:
- Korean,
- Chinese, and
- American.
It is frequently found in supplements, medications, and teas.
High concentrations of saponin molecules are found in Chinese ginseng buds.
It may take up to four hours for ginseng preparations to reach their maximal blood levels after oral use. However, depending on the amount of ginsenoside present, some ginseng preparations might also last longer.
Role of bacteria on ginseng
When ginseng is consumed, it is broken down by the bacteria in the intestines.
The types and amounts of these bacteria can influence how much ginseng is absorbed and how effective it is.
Different Species of Ginseng
True Ginseng Species – These contain ginsenosides, the main active compounds.
1. Asian/Korean ginseng– Panax ginseng
Asian ginseng is native to China, Korea, and Russia. It has stimulating, energizing, and immune-boosting.
Asian ginseng traditionally used to boost vitality, mental performance, and immune strength.
2. American ginseng– Panax quinquefolius
American ginseng is native to North America.
It believed to have a calming and cooling effect compared to Asian ginseng.
It is often used to reduce stress, support the immune system, and regulate blood sugar level.
3. Chinese ginseng – Panax notoginseng (also called Tienchi ginseng, Sanqi, Sanchi or Tianqi)
Chinses ginseng is used in traditional Chinese medicine for blood circulation and wound healing.
4. Japanese ginseng– Panax japonicus (also known as Baisan Qi and Zhujieshen)
Japanese ginseng is used in Japan for fatigue and overall health.
5. Vietnamese ginseng – Panax vietnamensis (also known as Ngoc Linh ginseng)
Vietnamese ginseng is rare and highly prized for adaptogenic effects.
Vietnamese ginseng contain high concentration of ginsenosides, including ocotillol saponins, which reduce stress, make it unique from other ginseng species.
6. Dwarf ginseng – Panax trifolius
Dwarf ginseng is raditionally used by Native Americans for colds and digestive issues.
Related Plants (Not “True” Ginseng)
These are sometimes marketed as ginseng but belong to other families.
- Siberian ginseng – Eleutherococcus senticosus (Araliaceae family, adaptogen, also known as eleuthero).
- Indian ginseng – Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha, Solanaceae family).
- Brazilian ginseng – Pfaffia paniculata (Amaranthaceae family).
Ginseng: Traditional History and Uses
It is believed that ginseng was first used medicinally in the highlands of Manchuria more than 5,000 years ago.
The Shen Nong Pharmacopoeia is the first known Chinese pharmacopoeia, also known as the Shennong Bencao Jing of China, dates back to 196 AD.
Fact: There isn’t a separate book called “Shen Nong Pharmacopoeia” — that’s just another way of translating Shennong Ben Cao Jing into English. So, they are the same text, just different naming.
Early History
Discovery: Ginseng was discovered in the mountain forests of northern China, Korea, and eastern Russia more than 5,000 years ago.
Written Record: The first written mention of its medicinal properties is in the Shen Nong Pharmacopoeia, written in 196 AD.
Cultivation: While wild ginseng was collected for use, cultivation of the plant began much later, over 2000 years ago.
Panax ginseng Meyer has been used for thousands of years as a health tonic in traditional Korean, Chinese, Japanese, and Western herbal medicine.
It was very rare and believed to have special, almost magical, powers.
Throughout history, ginseng has been utilized for its therapeutic properties for over 2,000 years.
One of the earliest texts focusing on herbal medicine was the Shennong Bencao Jing, which was edited in the first century AD.
The Shennong Bencao Jing was the first to explain the pharmacological properties of ginseng, a herb of great quality.
According to this book, doctors were the first to recognize ginseng as a medicinal herb.
But since ginseng has been grown since the 15th century, it’s possible that the variety that was used in the Shennong Bencao Jing was not the same as the one that is used today.
Because wild ginseng was harvested from mountainous regions in earlier centuries, this plant is often called mountain ginseng.
The Shang-Han Lun (Treatise on Cold Damage) is a foundational text of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) written by Zhang Zhongjing around AD 210. Shang-Han Lun described the use of ginseng in herbal prescriptions.
Panax means “all healing,” according to the ancient belief that ginseng has the ability to heal every part of the body.
The most common ginsengs are ginseng (P. ginseng Meyer), Chinese ginseng (P. notoginseng ), and American ginseng (P. quinquefolium L.).
Ginseng can nourish or tonify 5 vital organs of the body (the spleen, lung, heart, kidney, and liver), has sedative properties, is used for palpitations to restore a normal pulse, dispels pathogenic factors, improves visual acuity and mental activity, and enhances longevity with long-term intake.
Ginseng can nourish 5 vital body organs and these organs are: spleen, lung, heart, kidney, and liver.
It also has calming qualities, is used to treat palpitations and restore a normal pulse, remove pathogenic elements, increases mental activity and visual acuity, and, increases life expectancy.
Hongjing Tao (AD 456-536) wrote the Mingyi Bielu, which included 365 different kinds of plants.
According to the Mingyi Bielu, ginseng also has the ability to treat internal coldness, chest or abdominal pain, heaviness in the chest, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Additionally, ginseng can be utilized to increase blood circulation, boost cognitive function, and quench thirst and emotions of solidity.
The most thorough and comprehensive pre-modern herbal handbook, the Bencao Gangmu, also included descriptions of ginseng’s pharmacological characteristics.
Furthermore, Shizhen Li (1518-1593) wrote about a number of symptoms that ginseng may be useful with, such as general weakness, fever and sweating that happens on its own, headache and vertigo, regurgitation and vomiting, alternating fever and chills, chronic diarrhea, increased urination or stranguria, exhaustion, externally contracted wind or hot attack, cramps, hematemesis (bloody vomiting), rectum bleeding, bloody urine leakage, abnormal uterine bleeding, and discomfort before or after parturition.
P. ginseng was probably use for the treatment of mental health issues, anxiety, severe vomiting with diarrhea, and overall weakness.
The Shennong Bencao Jing describes ginseng’s restorative, tonic, nootropic, and anti-aging qualities, as well as its ability to eliminate pathogenic elements, as the basis for several traditional prescriptions.
As people age, their cognitive abilities steadily decrease and ginseng is a well-known anti-aging herb.
Related article: Ginseng: Health Benefits, Risks, and How to Take It Safely
What is ginseng used for?
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, dried ginseng has been used as a tonic to restore and boost vital energy.
It is also used to treat conditions such as anemia, insomnia, gastritis, abnormal blood pressure, fatigue, and other health issues.
Nowadays, ginseng is a common ingredient in commercial health supplements that help boost energy levels, avoid fatigue and exhaustion, and promote the healing process.
In cases of weakness, fatigue, and lack of focus, as well as during convalescence, Radix ginseng (the dried root of Panax ginseng) is used as a prophylactic and restorative agent for enhancement of physical capacities.
What is the Difference Between Asian or Korean Ginseng and American Ginseng?
The main differences between Asian or Korean ginseng and American ginseng are their origins, physical characteristics, and medicinal properties.
Yang and Yin
Asian/Korean ginseng being more stimulating and better for boosting energy (yang).
American ginseng is considered less stimulating, more cooling (yin), and better for the immune system and attention.
Asian/Korean ginseng is native to the Russian Far East, Northeast China, and Korea.
American ginseng is native to eastern North America.
Medicinal Properties
Asian/Korean ginseng: Considered more stimulating, it is associated with “yang” energy, promoting heat, improving blood circulation, and fighting fatigue.
American ginseng: Considered less stimulating and more cooling, associated with “yin” energy, it helps cool the body and is used to enhance the immune system and balance blood sugar.
Ginsenoside Content
- Both Asian and American ginseng contain active compounds called ginsenosides, but the composition differs significantly.
- Asian ginseng has a higher ratio of Rg1 to Rb1.
- American ginseng has higher concentrations of specific ginsenosides, such as Rb1 and Re, which are associated with cooler properties,
Uses
- Asian ginseng: May have stronger effects on cardiovascular health, cognitive function, and immune system boosting.
- American ginseng: Used for its cooling, immune-supporting, and blood-sugar-balancing properties.
What is the Difference Between Red Ginseng and white Ginseng?
Both red and white ginseng originated from the same species, Asian ginseng.
Extraction method
The manufacturing method and the length of time which the selected roots are allowed to grow determine how the color of the root changes.
Red Ginseng
Usually, the roots of the red ginseng are at least six years old. The red color is indicative of a conventional preservation method.
After harvesting, the rhizome is submerged in a liquid that is high in sugar and then dried in a kiln at a high temperature.
This process maintains all of its advantages and active ingredients while extending its shelf life (beyond a year).
White ginseng
White ginseng is made from roots that are four years old and is produced naturally by cleaning the root and then letting it dry in the sun at a low temperature of 86 to 104°F to get rid of the water.
As a result, at the end of the operation, the ginseng root’s naturally black hue becomes lighter.
Difference in composition and properties
The production procedure increases the bioavailability of the plant’s active compounds and affects the amount of specific active chemicals found in the root.
The saponins
The saponin content varies between red ginseng and white ginseng. These include ginsenoside, which is the primary active ingredient in ginseng responsible for its benefits. The main difference is observed in two types of saponins: Rg saponins and Rb saponins.
Red Ginseng
When red ginseng is heated up, it loses much of its Rb type saponins (balancing) due to the high temperature, so it will have a large dominance of Rg saponin (energizing).
Red ginseng has toning, stimulating, and energizing qualities due to its high content of Rg saponin.
Red ginseng is beneficial for mature or fatigued skin, weak hair or hair lacking vitality.
Generally speaking, red ginseng has more ginsenosides than white ginseng.
Ginsenosides are active components with antioxidant qualities that encourage the synthesis of collagen.
Some of the original ginsenosides are transformed into new types (such as Rg3, Rk1, and Rh2) during the steaming process.
These altered ginsenosides frequently exhibit more potent pharmacological effects, particularly in terms of their anti-oxidant, anti-cancer, and fatigue-relieving qualities.
Despite a loss in some original components, red ginseng typically has a higher total ginsenoside variety.
Red ginseng improves blood circulation, increases sexual function, lessens weariness, and increases stamina.
It is utilized to improve vitality support and aid in the recovery from chronic illnesses.
White ginseng
White ginseng contains higher levels of Rb saponins because it has not been subjected to high-temperature heat treatment. These compounds are especially known for their calming and soothing effects.
The effects of white ginseng are mild.
White ginseng is used to balance energy, improve immunity, treat mild fatigue, and treat general weakness.
How to Use Consume Ginseng
Ginseng can be consumed in many forms depending on preference and purpose. Traditionally, the root was chewed raw or boiled in tea, but today it is available in more convenient preparations.
Common Forms of Ginseng
Raw Root- Fresh or dried root can be sliced and chewed or brewed into tea.
Powder- Made from dried ginseng root; can be mixed with smoothies, water, or honey.
Capsules/Tablets- Standardized extracts; easiest way to ensure consistent dosage.
Tea/Infusion- Slices of root or powder steeped in hot water.
Tincture/Liquid Extract- Alcohol or glycerin-based extract; absorbed quickly by the body.
Tonics & Energy Drinks- Often combined with other herbs for quick energy or immune support.
