Panax quinquefolius profile

Panax quinquefolius is native to the northern United States and southern Canada, mainly in Wisconsin. Perennial herb with fleshy taproot and spindle-shaped. The stem is single, 20-60 cm high. It is Introduced and Cultivated in China. The root contains ginsenoside, ginsenoside alcohol and a small amount of volatile oil, resin and so on. Cold in nature, bitter and slightly sweet in taste, function is to clear fire and promote body fluid.

Panax quinquefolius picture

Morphological characteristics of Panax quinquefolius

Panax quinquefolius is a perennial herb with fleshy taproot and spindle-shaped. The stem is single, 20-60 cm high. Palmate compound leaves 3 to 4 whorled stem ends; leaflets are usually 5, stalked, obovate oblong, and a pair of oval or nearly circular undersides, with irregular serrations on the edges. Umbellate solitary stem top, with 6-20 flowers; flowers are small, yellow-green; calyx has 5 teeth; petals 5; stamens 5; carpel 2, ovary inferior, 2-loculed, style 2. Berry-shaped drupe, bright red when ripe. It is native to North America and has been introduced and cultivated in China in recent years. The root contains ginsenoside, ginsenoside alcohol and a small amount of volatile oil, resin and so on. Cold in nature, bitter and slightly sweet in taste, function is to clear fire and promote body fluid.

Panax quinquefolius medicinal properties

Panax quinquefolius is fusiform, cylindrical or conical, with a length of 3-12cm and a diameter of 0.8-2cm. The surface is light yellow-brown or yellow-white, with horizontal ring patterns and linear lenticels, as well as fine shallow vertical wrinkles and root marks. There are one to several lateral roots in the lower part of the main root; most of them have been broken. Some have rhizomes (reed head) at the upper end with obvious links, and the stem marks (reed bowl) are round or semi-circular with adventitious roots or have been broken. The weight is firm, not easy to break. The section is thick, light yellow-white, slightly powdery, yellow-brown punctate resin channels can be seen on the skin. The cambium ring pattern is brown-yellow, and the main part has a slightly radial texture. The smell is slight and peculiar, the taste is slightly bitter and sweet.

Functional properties of Panax quinquefolius

Panax quinquefolius has the functions of clearing heat and reducing fire, invigorating the spleen and moisturizing the lungs, and nourishing and replenishing the true essence. It can produce body fluid and quench thirst, clear away heat and irritability, relieve alcohol and refreshing. It is suitable for the symptoms of lack of sleep, dry mouth, dry throat, liver fire. Modern medical research and analysis believe that the active ingredients of Panax quinquefolius can improve the activity capacity of the advanced nervous system and have anti-fatigue effects. It is often used clinically as a tonic agent to treat autonomic dysfunction and various impotence. It has a mentally exciting effect on the loss of mental memory and mental retardation of the elderly. It has a regulating effect on the heart and blood vessels, and has an effect on improving the function of the sick heart, which may be related to the significant reduction in oxygen consumption. Panax quinquefolius can enhance the body's ability to respond to various adverse stimuli. Whether it is physical, chemical or biological stimuli, it has the function of enhancing non-specific resistance, improving the body's adaptability, and promoting pathological processes to return to normal. Panax quinquefolius also has an anti-shock effect. It has a two-way effect on blood pressure, which is a slight increase and then a decrease. Panax quinquefolius can increase red blood cells, hemoglobin and white blood cells. It also has high anti-radioactivity to reduce radiation damage to the hematopoietic system. Panax quinquefolius has Substances that inhibit the growth of cancer cells which can enhance the phagocytosis of the reticulum system and white blood cells, have antibacterial and antiparasitic effects, and also have desensitization effects.