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Panax pseudoginseng - Wall.

Common Name Ginseng, Japanese ginseng
Family Araliaceae
USDA hardiness 5-9
Known Hazards Avoid during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Avoid if on anticoagulants or ticlodipine (for blood clot formation) [301].
Habitats Forests and shrubberies, 2100 - 4300 metres in C. Nepal in the Himalayas[51]. Moist shady places at elevations of 2000 - 3300 metres in Nepal[272].
Range E. Asia - China to the Himalayas and Burma.
Edibility Rating    (1 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (3 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Full shade Semi-shade
Panax pseudoginseng Ginseng, Japanese ginseng


Panax pseudoginseng Ginseng, Japanese ginseng

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Panax pseudoginseng is a PERENNIAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in) by 0.7 m (2ft 4in) at a slow rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs).
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) or semi-shade (light woodland). It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Aralia bipinnatifida. Aralia pseudoginseng. Panax schin-seng.

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; not Deep Shade;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves  Shoots
Edible Uses: Drink  Tea

Young leaves and shoots - cooked as a vegetable[272]. The roots are chewed, used as a flavouring in liqueurs or made into a tea[183].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Antibacterial  Antiinflammatory  Antiseptic  Aphrodisiac  Cardiotonic  Diuretic  Expectorant  Haemostatic  
Hypoglycaemic  Stimulant

The roots and the flowers are antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, aphrodisiac, cardiotonic, diuretic, expectorant, haemostatic, hypoglycaemic and stimulant[176, 238, 272]. The root is used internally in the treatment of indigestion, vomiting, coronary heart disease and angina[238, 272]. The roots are also used both internally and externally in the treatment of nosebleeds, haemorrhages from the lungs, digestive tract and uterus, and injuries[238]. The roots are harvested in the autumn, preferably from plants 6 - 7 years old, and can be used fresh or dried[238]. The flowers are used to treat vertigo and dizziness[238].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Requires a moist humus rich soil in a shady position in a woodland[200]. Plants are hardy to at least -15°c[238]. Nomenclature of this genus is rather confused with some botanists recognising P. ginseng as a variable plant that includes this species. Other botanists divide it into 4 or even 5 distinct species, giving this plant specific status. This plant has been grossly over-collected from the wild for its use as a medicinal plant and it is rapidly approaching extinction in most parts of its range[238]. The sub-species P. pseudo-ginseng notoginseng. (Burkill.)Hoo.&Tseng. is the form used medicinally in China[176], this plant is given a separate entry in this database[K].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Plant Propagation

Seed - sow in a shady position in a cold frame preferably as soon as it is ripe, otherwise as soon as the seed is obtained. It can be very slow and erratic to germinate. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in a shady position in the greenhouse or frame for at least their first winter. Make sure the pots are deep enough to accommodate the roots. Plant out into their permanent positions in late summer. Division in spring.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: China (Xizang Zizhiqu (south)) TROPICAL ASIA: Nepal

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

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Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

Wall.

Botanical References

51

Links / References

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