American ginseng root, also known as Panax quinquefolium in pharmaceutical Latin and Xi Yang Shen in Pinyin, has long been viewed as a precious tonic with special therapeutic value. Although it shares the name of ginseng with Ren Shen (Panax Ginseng), they are not the same herb, physically and functionally. Clinically, it is widely used in improving or eliminating deficiency symptoms of body fluid and blood, which are typified by emaciation, red eyes and Tinnitus, dry mouth and throat, fidget and thirst, weak breath, aching pain in knees and lower back, fever due to deficient Yin, impaired Yin caused by fever, chronic cough caused by lung deficiency, coughing up blood, and the like. Thanks for its slow but enduring pharmaceutical effect, it is a very popular tonic these days.

It usually refers to the root of Panax quinquefolium L., which is a species in the family Araliaceae. It is mainly found in the United States and Canada and now also cultivated in Beijing, Jilin, Liaoning and other places. The harvest usually starts in fall after it has been grown for 3 to 6 years. And medicinally it is used sliced and raw.

American ginseng plant is an herbaceous perennial with round or spindle-shaped taproot. The root surface is hairless, pale yellow or yellow-white, shiny, and with delicate striae. Texture is full and strong. Section is clean, presenting a clearer daisy pattern. Its slice has strong, choking, and sweet-bitter flavor.

MAIN CHEMICAL CONSTTUENTS
The root contains glycosides, mainly panaquilon, and others like volatile oils and resins. 6.4% to 7.3% are total saponins, which produce mainly panaxadiol and also panaxatriol and oleanolic acid after they are hydrolyzed. The species cultivated in Liaoning contain ginsenosides Rb1, Rb2, Rd, Re, Rf, Rg1, Rg2, Rg3, Rh1, RA0, R0, and possible Rc. In addition, it still contains daucosterol, oleanolic acid, and stigmast-3,5-diene-7-one. The cultivated one still contains volatile oils, fats, amino acids and trace elements. And about 32 kinds of ingredients have been identified in the volatile oil. Among them, the highest content is 26.05% β-farnesene, followed by 8.9% cetane and 7.89% β-gurjunene.

American Ginseng Root

CLINICAL USES 
American ginseng root nourishes Yin, tonifies Qi, calms spirit, improves brain power, removes heat to promote salivation, and relieves summer heat and pathogenic fire. As the old saying goes: "Thanks for the cool but tonic medicinal properties, American ginseng is the ideal alternative to panax ginseng when people need it but can't afford its warm nature". That's to say, what makes American ginseng so special lies in its tonic nature that won't easily cause dryness.

1) Strengthen cardiac muscle and enhance the activity of the heart;
2) Build strong central nervous system, calm mind, recover from fatigue, alleviate a hangover, enhance memory, and treat Alzheimer's disease;
3) Modulate blood pressure and lead to a temporary or permanent fall of blood pressure;
4) Inhibit atherosclerosis and promote the growth of red blood cells to increase hemoglobin levels;
5) Regulate the secretion of insulin and therefore treat diabetes;
6) Regulate the secretion of adrenaline and enhance metabolism;
7) Increase strength and benefit athletes;
8) Inhibit the growth of cancer cell and increase immune function;
9) Help digest food and thus improve chronic gastritis and stomach weakness.