Panax quinquefolium - Ginseng, American

Description

This small shrub grow up to .3 m, with smooth, serrated leaflets in 5`s; flower are yellowish, fruit scarlet. The root is 5 -14 cm long, with a central tap root with many secondary branched brownish-yellow rootlets.

Part used

mostly the root, sometime the leaves.

Constituents

The root contains a group of saponin complexes, these are often split into two groups: 1) Rb1 group protopanaxadiol: Rb1, Rb2, Rc and Rd) and 2) Rg1 group (propanaxatriol: Rg1, Re, Rf, and Rg2). Ginseng also containes, acetylene panaxynol (C17H26O), a 1,9-cis-hepta-decadiene-4,6-diyn-3-ol, beta-element, beta-sitosterol, 0.05% essential oils, panacene (C15H24), a pyrrolidone, 5-peptides sugars, 3.3% disaccharides (saccharose and maltose). It contains small amounts of pantothenic acid, biotin, vitamins B1,B2,B12, nicotinic acid, choline, citric, fumaric, malic, maleic, panaxic and tartaric acids and traces of Mn, V, Cu, Co, S and As.(1-4)

Mode of Action

Since the various Ginseng have different properties, there is inconsistencies in the interpretation of the various Ginseng studies. A good overview of this is documented by Lewis.(5) We can find even further problems associated with studies not identifying species or type of plant; extraction technique, purification, dosage, or even the animal species used in studies. The Ginsengs do work different for different animals. These plants are considered panaceas due to their broad spectrum use and their long history. Even though many of the uses of the Ginsengs is similar, there is quite a differences between the Ginsengs, as well as many contraindications. They are thought of as the great Qi tonics, but they are not considered perfect herbs.

While undoubtedly many of the physiological properties of the Ginsengs have to with other factors, the main components are the saponin groups Rg1 and Rb1. These two factors are diametrically opposed to each other. This means the ratio of these two factors means a lot when it comes to their function. Both American and Asianl Ginsengs contain both factors, but the Asian Ginseng contains much higher amounts of Rg1 than the American Ginseng does, while there is more Rb1 in the American Ginseng. This ratio is the significant factor between how the two work.

Rb1 group (highest in American ginseng, alcohol soluble extract) has the following properties: central nervous system depressant (anticonvulsant, analgesic, tranquilizing), hypotensive, anti-stress (protecting gastrointestinal tract from ulcers), antipsychotic (inhibition of conditioned avoidance response), weak anti-inflammatory, antipyretic (fever-reducing), facilitates small intestine motility, increases liver cholesterol synthesis, increases RNA activity in rat`s liver, (Rc has opposite effect).(6)

Rg1 group (highest in Asian ginseng, water soluble extract) has the following influence: slight central nervous system stimulant (activates brain activity), hypertensive, anti-fatigue, enhances mental acuity and intellectual performance, anabolic (stimulates DNA, protein and lipid synthesis).(7)

Asian Ginseng has more of a tonic or adaptogenic effect than the American ginseng. It would also appear, since many of these factors are opposite, that the two Ginsengs might cancel each other out. This is not true, these opposing properties tend to balance each other, not combat each other.

American ginseng (P. quinquefolium): acts to tranquilize the brain, while moderately stimulating the vital organs. It also helps to relieve fatigue.(8,9)

An excellent review of material available on ginseng can be found in Stephen Fulder`s book The Tao of Medicine and Medicinal Values of Ginseng.(10,11)

Therapeutic Action

adaptogen, nervine, tonic, aphrodisiac.

Energetics

Traditional Chinese

American Ginseng is bitter, sweet, mild and cooling properties; entering the Lung, Stomach and Kidneys. It nourishes Yin, cleanses heat, depresses fire.(12,13) American Ginseng is sweeter and more ‘yin` and cooler than Asian Ginseng, thus is preferred by people in warm tropical areas and if a person has a hot condition like a fever.

Other

Tierra lists American ginseng as sweet, bitter and neutral affecting the Lung and Spleen meridians.(14)

Holmes lists American Ginseng as a bit bitter, sweet, neutral and dry; with secondary qualities of restoring and relaxing. It enters the Lung and Spleen meridians; influencing the lungs, stomach, intestines, adrenals and nerves. Its organism is air.(15)

Traditional caution and contraindications:

Asian ginseng should be avoided in the following conditions: deficient yin patterns with Heat signs, Damp Heat or Excess Heat patterns, ascending Liver Yang patient with high blood pressure (systolic over 180 mmHg).(16)

Folklore

Panax quinquefolium and Panax trifolium make an appearance in the ethnobotanical records of roughly a dozen Northeastern Amerindian tribes. No particular pattern of usage is evident.(17)

Dosage


Powder - 1 - 6 gm . root

Toxicity and Contraindications

This herb has a very low toxicity with an LD50 of 1167mg/Kg. When 100ml of 3% tincture is ingested by humans a mild degree of unrest is seen; 200 ml causes symptoms of systemic rash, pruritus, vertigo, headaches, fever, and in severe cases, hemorrhage. One case of consumption of 500ml was fatal.(18)

Official Regulations and Medical References

British Pharmaceutical Code 1934
U.S.P.
Martindale
UK - General Sales List, Schedule 2, Table A
France - Accepted for specific indications No. 90/22
German - Comiison E ;1984, p. 138
PDR for Herbal Medicine - p. 1009

References

1. Duke, J.A., CRC Handbook of Medicinal Herbs, CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL,1985, p. 340, 341.
2. Mowrey, D.B.; Guaranteed Potency Herbs; Next Generation Herbal Medicine; Keats
Pub.; New Canoon, Con.; p. 87-107, 1990.
3. Bensky, D., Gamble A.; Chinese Herbal Medicine:Materia Medica; Eastland Press Seattle; 1986, p. 450-54.
4. Hsu Hong-yen, Chen Yuh-Pan, et al; Oriental Materia Medica: a concise guide; Oriental Healing Arts Institute; Long Beach, CA.; 1986, p. 528-30.
5. Lewis, W.H; Ed. Etkin, N.L.; Ginseng: A Medical Enigma; in Plants in Indigenous Medicine % Diet: Biobehavioral Approaches; Bedford Hills; Redgrave Publ. Co; 1986; p. 290-305
6. Mowrey, D.B., Ibid.
7. Mowrey, D.B., Ibid.
8. Bensky, D. and Gamble, A., Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica, Eastland
Press, Seattle, WA, 1986, p. 518.
9. Hsu, H.Y., Chen, Y.P., et al., Oriental Materia Medica: a concise guide, Oriental Healing Arts Institute, Long Beach, CA, 1986, p. 596-597.
10. Fulder, S., The Tao of Medicine, Destiny Books, New York, 1982.
11. Li, TSC, Harries D; Medicinal Values of Ginseng. The Herb, Spice and Medicinal Plant Digest; Vol. 17(3); 1996, p. 1-5.
12. Bensky, D. and Gamble, A., Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica, Eastland Press, Seattle, WA, 1986, p. 518.
13. Hsu, H.Y., Chen, Y.P., et al., Oriental Materia Medica: a concise guide, Oriental Healing Arts Institute, Long Beach, CA, 1986, p. 596-597.
14. Tierra, M., Planetary Herbology, Lotus Press, Santa Fe, NM, 1988, p. 293,294.
15. Holmes, P., The Energetics of Western Herbs (2 vols.), Artemis Press, Boulder, CO, 1989, p. 241-243.
16. Bensky, D. and Gamble, A., Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica, Eastland, Press, Seattle, WA, 1986, p. 452.
17. Moerman, D.E., Medicinal Plants of Native America, University of Michigan Museum of Anthropology, Technical Reports, Number 19, Ann Arbor, Michigan, 1986, Vol.1, p. 322.
18. Bensky, D. and Gamble, A., Ibid.