Panax quinquefolius
American ginseng
Panax quinquefolius, commonly known as American ginseng, is a highly valued perennial herb native to North American woodlands. Renowned in traditional medicine, it is prized for its adaptogenic properties, believed to enhance energy, reduce stress, and support immune function. This potent root serves as a cornerstone of herbal wellness.
- Scientific name: Panax quinquefolius
- Family: Araliaceae
- Native range: Northern America
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is categorized under the order Apiales and the family Araliaceae. Finally, its scientific classification is completed within the genus Panax.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Apiales | WCVP |
| Family | Araliaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Panax | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Panax quinquefolius, is recognized by various common names across different languages and regions. In Chinese, it is referred to as 花旗参 (zh-hans), 花旗參 (zh-hant), and 花旗參 (zh-hk). In Japanese, it is called アメリカニンジン (ja), while in French, it is known as Ginseng américain (fr).| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| zh-hans | 花旗参 | Wikidata |
| zh-hant | 花旗參 | Wikidata |
| zh-hk | 花旗參 | Wikidata |
| ja | アメリカニンジン | Wikidata |
| fr | Ginseng américain | Wikidata |
| en | American ginseng | Wikidata |
| fi | amerikanginseng | Wikidata |
| sv | Amerikansk ginseng | Wikidata |
| da | Amerikansk Ginseng | Wikidata |
| vi | Sâm Mỹ | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant, known as American ginseng, is found across several specific regions in North America. In Eastern Canada, its range includes the provinces of Ontario and Québec. Moving southward, the species extends into the North-Central United States. Within this region, it can be located in the state of Illinois. Furthermore, its geographical distribution continues through Iowa and Kansas.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Eastern Canada | Ontario | WCVP |
| Eastern Canada | Québec | WCVP |
| North-Central U.S.A. | Illinois | WCVP |
| North-Central U.S.A. | Iowa | WCVP |
| North-Central U.S.A. | Kansas | WCVP |
| North-Central U.S.A. | Minnesota | WCVP |
| North-Central U.S.A. | Missouri | WCVP |
| North-Central U.S.A. | Nebraska | WCVP |
| North-Central U.S.A. | Oklahoma | WCVP |
| North-Central U.S.A. | South Dakota | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, known commonly as American ginseng, exhibits a distinct morphology where each part contributes to its botanical profile. The leaves are palmately compound, typically consisting of three to five leaflets that spread out from a central point. Emerging from the center of these leaves are the flowers, which are small, greenish-white, and arranged in umbels. Supporting the plant is a sturdy stem that rises above the ground to hold the foliage and blooms. Most importantly, the medicinal value is concentrated in the roots, specifically the fleshy, perennial root system that develops underground over many years, forming the characteristic branched structure used in traditional medicine.- Total parts
- 14
- Scientific sources
- 22
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| flowers | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| roots | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| leaves | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| root | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| stem | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| neck | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaf | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| ginseng | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| fruits | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| fruit | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Panax quinquefolius has 86 reported phytochemicals identified across 187 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include ginsenosides, Rb1, Re, ginsenoside, Rg1.
- Total chemicals
- 86
- Scientific sources
- 187
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| ginsenosides | 31 | ★★★★★ |
| Rb1 | 10 | ★★★★★ |
| Re | 9 | ★★★★☆ |
| ginsenoside | 8 | ★★★★☆ |
| Rg1 | 7 | ★★★★☆ |
| Rc | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| Rd | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| Rg3 | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| saponins | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| Rh2 | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
Activities
Panax quinquefolius has 9 reported activities identified across 12 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antidiabetic, Antioxidant, Antitumor, Adaptogenic, Anxiolytic.
- Total activities
- 9
- Scientific sources
- 12
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antidiabetic | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antitumor | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Adaptogenic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anxiolytic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cardioprotective | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Hepatoprotective | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Immunostimulant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Neuroprotective | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Panax quinquefolius has 43 reported medicinal uses identified across 46 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include antidiabetic, breast cancer, cancer, Alzheimer disease, DNA damage.
- Total uses
- 43
- Scientific sources
- 46
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| antidiabetic | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| breast cancer | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cancer | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Alzheimer disease | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| DNA damage | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Insulin Resistance | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| LDL cholesterol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Lung Adenocarcinoma | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| antioxidants | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| anxiolytic effects | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |