✵The article documents the herb ginseng, including its English name, Latin name, Pinyin name, properties and flavor, botanical source—namely the plant species Panax ginseng C. A. Mey.—and provides a detailed description of this species’ botanical features; its wild mountain, transplanted, and cultivated garden types; its growth characteristics and ecological environment; as well as the characteristics of the herb Ginseng root, pharmacological actions, medicinal efficacy, and administration guidelines.
Radix Ginseng (Ginseng)
Pinyin Name: Rén Shēn
English Name: Ginseng, Ginseng Root
Latin Name:Radix Ginseng Properties and Flavors: Slightly warm in nature; taste slightly bitter and sweet.
Brief Introduction:Radix Ginseng is the dried root of Panax ginseng C.A. Mey. It is used: (1) to powerfully replenish Qi and promote fluid production, for treating prostration, general debility, diabetes mellitus, impotence or frigidity, heart failure, and cardiogenic shock; (2) to tonify the Spleen and Lung, for treating anorexia, cough, and shortness of breath; and (3) as a tranquilizer, for treating cardiac palpitations and insomnia. The herb is commonly known as Radix Ginseng, Ginseng, or Rén Shēn.
Botanical Source: Traditional herbal classics define Panax Ginseng (Rén Shēn) as the root of Panax ginseng C. A. Mey., a perennial herb of the genus Panax L., family Araliaceae (the ginseng family), order Apiales. This widely used species—and its principal variants—are described below:
(1) Panax ginseng C.A. Mey.
Botanical Description:Panax ginseng C.A. Mey. is a perennial herb of the Araliaceae family (ginseng family) and genus Panax L. It is also known as Panax schin-seng Nees, Ginseng, Shén Cǎo ("miraculous herb"), or Bǎi Chǐ Gān. The plant grows 30–60 cm tall, occasionally up to 70 cm. Its main root is fleshy, hypertrophied, cylindrical or fusiform, often branched at the apex; the outer bark is primrose yellow (pale yellow). Leaves are palmately compound with long petioles. The number of whorled leaves (verticillate leaves) varies with age: one-year-old plants bear a single trifoliolate leaf; two-year-olds bear one pentafoliolate leaf (five leaflets); three-year-olds bear two pentafoliolate leaves; thereafter, one additional compound leaf is produced annually, up to six. Each compound leaf typically has five leaflets (occasionally seven); petiolules measure 1–3 cm; leaflets are lanceolate or ovate—two lower leaflets are smaller (2–4 cm long, 1–1.5 cm wide), while the three upper ones are larger (4.5–15 cm long, 2.2–4 cm wide); apices are acuminate, bases are cuneate, margins are finely serrulate; the upper surface is green and sparsely covered with fine bristles (setulae), while the lower surface is glabrous.
Umbels are terminal; peduncles measure 15–25 cm; each inflorescence comprises 10–80 small flowers (2–3 mm in diameter), arranged in a globose cluster. The calyx is green and 5-dentate. Petals are 5, pale yellowish-green and ovate. Stamens are 5, with very short filaments. The ovary is inferior, bilocular, with two styles—absent in hermaphroditic flowers—connate at the base and divergent apically.
Fruits are drupaceous berries, oblate or reniform, 5–9 mm in diameter, numerous and capitate; they turn ruby-red (bright red) at maturity. Each fruit contains two ivory-white (milky-white), flat-ovoid seeds (4–5 mm in diameter), one per locule; one seed face is truncate. Flowering occurs from May to June; fruiting from June to September.
Ecological Environment:Panax ginseng C. A. Mey. grows in deciduous broad-leaved forests or mixed coniferous–broad-leaved forests at elevations of several hundred meters above sea level. Wild-growing specimens are termed "wild ginseng" or "wild mountain ginseng"; cultivated specimens are called "garden ginseng." Plants grown by transplanting young wild ginseng into cultivated fields—or by transplanting cultivated seedlings into natural habitats for maturation—are termed "transplanted wild ginseng." The three principal types—wild mountain ginseng, garden ginseng, and transplanted wild ginseng—are described below:
Botanical Description:Panax ginseng C.A. Mey. is a perennial herb of the Araliaceae family and genus Panax L. It grows naturally in mountainous regions and is commonly known as wild ginseng, wild mountain ginseng, or Yě Shān Shēn ("ginseng growing in wild mountains"). Its rhizomes (reticular heads) are short, upright or oblique, and not thickened into tuberous masses. The main root (taproot) is hypertrophied, fusiform (spindle-shaped), or cylindrical. Stems above ground are solitary, 30–60 cm tall, with vertical stripes, glabrous, and bearing persistent scales at the base. Leaves are palmately compound, with 3–6 tuberculate stems apically; young shrubs have fewer leaves. Petioles are 3–8 cm long, longitudinally glabrous; stipules are absent at the base. Leaf blades number 3–5; young shrubs often have 3 leaf blades. The blades are membranous; central lobes are elliptic to oblong-elliptic, 8–12 cm long and 3–5 cm wide; the outermost pair of lateral leaflets are ovate, 2–4 cm long and 1.5–3 cm wide. The apex is long-acuminate; the base is broadly cuneate and decurrent. The margin is serrate, with thorny teeth. The upper surface bears a few scattered bristles (~1 mm long); the lower surface is glabrous. Lateral veins occur in 5–6 pairs, conspicuous on both surfaces; the veins themselves are not conspicuous. Petiolules are 0.5–2.5 cm long, and lateral petiolules are shorter.
Umbels are indistinct, ~1.5 cm in diameter, composed of 30–50 flowers, rarely 5–6; pedicels are usually longer than the leaves, 15–30 cm long, with vertical stripes. Pedicels are filiform, 0.8–1.5 cm long. Flowers are yellowish green. Calyx lobes are glabrous, with 5 triangular teeth along the margin. There are 5 petals, ovate-triangular in shape; 5 stamens, with short filaments; ovary is 2-locular; 2 styles, free.
Fruits are drupaceous berries, oblate or reniform, 4–5 mm long and 6–7 mm wide (diameter 5–9 mm), numerous, aggregated and capitate, turning ruby-red (bright red) at maturity. Each fruit contains 2 seeds: cream-white (milky white), 4–5 mm in diameter, flat and ovoid (egg-shaped), with one side truncate; one seed per locule. Flowering occurs from May to June; fruiting from June to September.
Ecological Environment:Panax ginseng C. A. Mey grows in deciduous broad-leaved forests or mixed coniferous–broad-leaved forests at altitudes of several hundred meters above sea level.
Wild ginseng refers to ginseng growing naturally in mountainous wilderness. It is a valuable traditional Chinese medicinal material with high economic, medicinal, and cultural value. Wild ginseng is considered to possess the highest quality and strongest therapeutic efficacy due to its prolonged natural growth. However, over successive years of excavation, wild ginseng populations have drastically declined across most parts of Jilin Province. Some remaining individuals grow within or near the Changbai Mountain National Nature Reserve and are graded according to the number of leaf whorls.
Wild ginseng is also known as Ren Shen, Bang Chui (Battledore), Fairy Grass, Di Jing (Earth Goblin), among other names. A legend explains the origin of the name Di Jing (Earth Goblin): During the reign of Emperor Sui Wendi of the Sui Dynasty, a resident of Shangdang County reportedly heard crying sounds every night upon returning home—but found no one nearby. Venturing about one mile out, he discovered a ginseng plant whose foliage appeared unusually vigorous. He dug five feet deep into the soil and unearthed a ginseng root resembling a human body—complete with four limbs—and the crying ceased immediately. Since then, it has been called Di Jing (Earth Goblin).
Numerous folk legends surround ginseng. One tale recounts: Long ago, an old man living in the mountains had a son who frequently ventured alone into the hills. One day, the boy returned home saying he had met a plump child wearing a red belt, who played with him in the mountains—an odd occurrence. The father suspected the child was ginseng incarnate. He gave his son a needle threaded with red thread and instructed him to insert the needle into the child’s pocket—if it were truly ginseng, the child would be unable to move. When the boy next encountered the plump child in the mountains, he pinned the needle into the child’s pocket—and the child instantly transformed into a large ginseng root. Hence, mountain foragers traditionally prepare red thread in advance and pin it onto the ginseng stem upon discovery, preventing the ginseng from "running away."
Harvesting wild ginseng is extremely labor-intensive: a single root may require one or several months of arduous searching in remote mountains. It is said that a beautiful bird inhabits deep, ancient forests—most active in August. This bird feeds on ginseng seeds and emits a call resembling a scholar’s voice: "Wang Ganduo! Wang Ganduo!", clearly audible. Where this bird is heard, ginseng is likely present. Wild ginseng grows naturally in old, remote, densely forested mountains; some specimens have grown undisturbed for centuries, without artificial cultivation or chemical intervention. Its collection is exceptionally labor-intensive, its medicinal value extremely high, and it is a rare, ecologically precious green resource—highly valued for conservation and commanding premium prices.
Growth Characteristics: Panax ginseng C. A. Mey prefers cool, moist climates and avoids strong direct light; it exhibits strong cold resistance. Seeds can be shade-dried and stored. The embryo displays both ecological and physiological post-maturation. Ecological post-maturation requires alternating temperatures between 10–20 °C (50–68 °F); physiological post-maturation requires a sustained low temperature of 2–4 °C (35.6–39.2 °F) for approximately 3–4 months. Seeds that have not completed post-maturation will not germinate. The species has strict soil requirements: cultivation is best carried out in fields rich in organic matter—such as sandy loam or humus soil—with good permeability; continuous cropping must be avoided.
Characteristics of Herbs: Wild Mountain Ginseng Wild Mountain Ginseng is also known as wild ginseng or Yě Shān Shēn. It bears a thin, deep, horizontal ring pattern on the upper end. The rhizome is slender and elongated, typically 3–9 cm long, with a twisted upper portion commonly termed the "wild goose-neck reed"; the stem scars ("reed bowls") are densely arranged on this part. The lower portion is smooth and lacks stem scars, colloquially called the “round reed”. The main root (taproot) is thick and short—equal to or shorter than the rhizome—and usually bears two lateral roots, arranged in a figure-eight or cylindrical configuration, measuring 10–20 cm in length and 1–2 cm in diameter. The surface is sallow (grayish-yellow), with vertical wrinkles; the upper portion exhibits fine, dense spiral ridges, traditionally termed “iron-wire patterns”. An apical rhizome extends from the tip of the taproot: it is slender and elongated, approximately equal to or longer than the taproot; calathiform (bowl-shaped) stem scars are densely arranged along it. The rhizome segment adjacent to the taproot is smooth and devoid of stem scars—commonly termed "Yuan Lu". Pendulous adventitious roots arise beside the rhizomes, resembling jujube pits in shape. Lateral roots bear sparse, slender fibrous roots approximately 2–3 times the length of the main ginseng body; these are flexible and resistant to breakage, and bear conspicuous verrucous protrusions ("pearl spots"). The fresh root surface of wild mountain ginseng is yellowish-white, with fine, smooth skin.
The herb possesses a strong aromatic fragrance and tastes sweet with a slight bitterness. Due to differences in processing, three commercial forms of wild ginseng exist: fresh-dried ginseng, sugared ginseng, and peeled-skin ginseng. Their characteristics closely resemble those of corresponding cultivated (garden) ginseng products, except for superior overall morphology.
Botanical Description: Panax ginseng C. A. Mey is a member of the Araliaceae family (ginseng family) and the genus Panax L. It grows naturally in mountainous habitats or is cultivated in farmland, and is commonly known as Transplant Wild Ginseng or Yí Shān Shēn (“transplanted ginseng”). This term applies to two scenarios: (i) young wild ginseng seedlings—too small and immature for harvest—are transplanted into shaded understory near human dwellings to facilitate care and natural growth; or (ii) cultivated ginseng seedlings are transplanted into wild forest settings and left to grow without irrigation or fertilization. Wild ginseng is a rare medicinal material native to the pristine forests of the Changbai Mountains. It primarily inhabits hilly, broad-leaved mixed forests at elevations of 1,000–2,200 m above sea level, under canopy densities of 0.7–0.8. Its distribution areas exhibit humid temperate monsoon climate characteristics and are predominantly located in shaded, east–west oriented microhabitats receiving filtered sunlight. Wild ginseng is regarded as possessing the highest medicinal efficacy—valued for its scarcity and esteemed globally.
Transplant Wild Ginseng is a category of ginseng bridging wild and cultivated types. It comprises two subtypes: Mountain Transplant and Home Transplant. The Mountain Transplant type refers to wild seedlings collected from mountains—too small or young for market—and transplanted into nearby shaded understory for supervised natural growth. The Home Transplant type refers to ginseng seedlings originally grown in cultivation, which are then transplanted into mountain forests and managed without irrigation or fertilizer, allowing them to mature under near-natural conditions.
Ecological Environment: Panax ginseng C. A. Mey (Transplant Wild Ginseng) grows in mountainous forests.
The defining characteristic of Transplant Wild Ginseng is that the residual stem portion often becomes either attenuated or thickened, rather than forming a compact "reed pile"; instead, it develops into loosely coiled “rolling reeds”. Thread-like reeds are frequently observed, most commonly of the "bamboo-joint" type. The reed neck is loose—not tight or dense—and elongated with sparse stem scars. Most lateral roots ("cockp") are straight and long; however, in older specimens, some exhibit jujube-pit–shaped lateral roots, occasionally tapering—thick at the base and slender toward the apex. These lateral roots are typically stubby, often projecting laterally; in some cases, their length exceeds that of the main ginseng body.
The lateral roots ("legs") of Transplant Wild Ginseng are relatively straight and elongated, commonly bearing 1–3 longitudinal stripes (or more). As transplanted seedlings grow in nutrient-rich new soil, nutrient accumulation concentrates predominantly in the lower portion of the taproot (main root), causing rapid expansion of this region while the upper portion remains unchanged. This results in a distinct color contrast: the upper portion appears dark brown to blackish, whereas the lower portion remains pale or whitish. The cortex is slightly swollen and tender, with a rough, non-smooth texture; transverse striations are sparse and shallow; annular ridges are faint; and the periderm lacks tightly packed, fine longitudinal lines. Following transplantation, lateral roots and fibrous roots proliferate and become intergrown—often inseparable. The fibrous roots themselves are fine, tender, and short, with increased branching concentrated at the distal (lower) end; no dominant primary fibrous root is present, and “pearl spots” are sparse and diminutive. Generally, the longer the reed, the more pronounced the tapering—thick at the base and attenuated toward the apex. Lateral roots ("cockp") are often upturned and extend laterally; transverse striations are coarse and shallow; the cortex is rough and rugose. Abnormal features—including excessive fibrous root proliferation due to high soil fertility, reddish rust lesions, and mechanical scars—may also occur.
Characteristics of the Herb: Transplant Wild Ginseng Transplant Wild Ginseng resembles wild ginseng morphologically, but the lower portion of the taproot (main root) is frequently enlarged and hypertrophied, exhibiting thick, shallow longitudinal lines that often extend halfway up the taproot. Pearl spots on the fibrous roots are few. Processed Transplant Wild Ginseng herbs retain the general shape of wild ginseng roots.
(1.3) Panax ginseng C. A. Mey (Garden Ginseng)
Botanical Description: Panax ginseng C. A. Mey is a member of the Araliaceae family (ginseng family) and the genus Panax L. Plants grown in cultivated fields under artificial management are commonly termed Garden Ginseng, cultivated ginseng, or Yuán Shēn ("ginseng cultivated in herb gardens"). Its growth habit resembles that of wild mountain ginseng, though morphological distinctions are evident.
The reed is thick and short, typically uncurved; stem scars ("reed bowls") are sparse and located on the residual stem portion. The taproot (main root) is predominantly cylindrical, with a relatively loose texture. Transverse striations are thick and shallow, discontinuous, and present on both upper and lower portions. Lateral roots ("legs") are numerous and short; fibrous roots are abundant, short, and irregularly scattered—often crossing one another. The tissue is crisp, and "pearl spots" are inconspicuous. Two common horticultural types exist: standard Garden Ginseng and "sided" ginseng. The former exhibits a short reed, stout body, and numerous lateral roots; the latter—cultivated for over eight years—is characterized by an elongated reed, extended taproot, and long lateral roots.
Ecological Environment: Garden Ginseng is primarily cultivated in China.
Growth Characteristics: Panax ginseng C. A. Mey prefers cool, moist climates and avoids intense direct sunlight; it exhibits strong cold resistance. It has stringent soil requirements: cultivation should be conducted in fields rich in organic matter—such as sandy loam or humus soil—with good permeability; continuous cropping must be avoided.
The appearance of Garden Ginseng is robust and plump, with densely arranged roots. Key morphological distinctions from Wild Ginseng include: (1) Garden Ginseng possesses a short reed, whereas Wild Ginseng typically bears a long reed; (2) The Garden Ginseng taproot is stout and opaque milky-white, whereas Wild Ginseng is slender; (3) Garden Ginseng fibrous roots are dense, broom-like, and crisp, whereas Wild Ginseng fibrous roots are sparse, elongated, and tough.
Characteristics of the Herb: Garden ginseng Garden ginseng is also known as seedling ginseng. The taproot is cylindrical or fusiform (spindle-shaped), 3–15 cm long and 1–2 (or up to 3) cm in diameter; the upper end connects to a thinner rhizome (customarily called the “reed head”—the residual part of the stem), 2–5.5 cm long, bearing 4–6 bowl-shaped stem scars (customarily called “reed bowls”), arranged alternately; winter buds are often visible beside the apical stem scars. The lower part bears 2–4 rootlets and a few thin lateral roots (branch roots), 8–12 cm long; the lower portion of the rootlets bears numerous thin, long fibrous roots. The surface of the rootlets sometimes exhibits inconspicuous, small, fine verrucous protrusions (customarily called “pearl spots”). The surface is light yellowish-brown (fallow-colored), with irregular vertical wrinkles and fine transverse striations; the transverse striations on the taproot are often thin, dense, and discontinuous, forming ring-like patterns. The surface of the rootlets bears a few elongated lenticels. The herb is hard in texture; the fracture surface is yellowish-white, with the cortex displaying numerous radial fissures and scattered yellowish-brown small spots (resin ducts). It has a distinctive odor, is aromatic, tastes slightly sweet and bitter.
Since the Tang dynasty, artificial cultivation of ginseng has been practiced. Cultivated garden ginseng is grown in northern and northwestern regions and in Hubei Province, in addition to extensive cultivation in the northeast. Under meticulous management, cultivated ginseng can be harvested after six years. Ginseng grows predominantly between 40° and 45° N latitude, with an average January temperature of −23 °C to 5 °C (−9.4 °F to 41 °F), and an average July temperature of 20 °C to 26 °C (68 °F to 78.8 °F). It exhibits strong cold resistance, tolerating temperatures as low as −40 °C (−40 °F); its optimal growth temperature range is 15 °C to 25 °C (59 °F to 77 °F). The accumulated temperature requirement is 2,000–3,000 °C; the frost-free period lasts 125–150 days; snow depth ranges from 20 to 44 cm; and annual precipitation is 500–1,000 mm. The soil must be well-drained, loose, fertile brown forest soil with a deep humus layer—or brownish forest soil with a mountainous origin—having a pH of 5.5–6.2. Ginseng grows under the canopy of Pinus koraiensis mixed forests or deciduous broad-leaved forests, with canopy density of 0.7–0.8. It typically begins flowering in the third year and fruits from the fifth to sixth year; its flowering period extends from May to June, and its fruiting period from June to September. It thrives in deciduous broad-leaved forests or coniferous–broad-leaved mixed forests at elevations of several hundred meters above sea level.
Pharmacological Actions: (1) A bidirectional regulatory effect on human physiological function and metabolism; (2) Effects on the endocrine system; (3) Modulation of metabolic processes; (4) Anti-aging activity; (5) Adaptogenic and anti-stress properties.
Medicinal Efficacy: Reinforces vital Qi, restores normal pulse and prevents collapse, consolidates depletion and promotes body fluid production, tonifies the Spleen and benefits the Lung, generates body fluids and nourishes the Blood, calms the Shen (alleviates mental and physical restlessness and induces tranquility), and enhances cognitive function. It is indicated for: exhaustion and collapse syndromes, Qi deficiency collapse, feeble and impalpable pulse, faint pulse with cold extremities, asthenia and internal disorders due to overexertion, physical debility with profuse sweating, spontaneous sweating and sudden collapse, emaciation and weakness following prolonged illness, lassitude, dyspnea and cough due to Lung deficiency, shortness of breath from Lung Qi deficiency, deficient-type cough and asthma, Qi and body fluid deficiency with thirst, internal heat and consumptive thirst (e.g., endogenous heat and consumptive thirst), Qi and Blood deficiency, dizziness and headache (vertigo and cephalgia), palpitations with anxiety and insomnia, disturbed sleep with vivid dreaming, forgetfulness (poor memory), asynodia (impotence), cold uterus, Kidney deficiency with impotence, Blood deficiency with sallow complexion, frequent urination, Spleen deficiency with poor appetite, Spleen deficiency with lassitude and weakness, anorexia, nausea and vomiting, regurgitation of undigested food, chronic diarrhea (slippery or watery), uterine bleeding (metrorrhagia and metrostaxis), chronic infantile convulsions, chronic deficiency without recovery—and all syndromes attributable to deficiency of Qi, Blood, and body fluids.
Administration of Radix Ginseng (Rén Shēn):
Reference:
Administration Guide for Radix Ginseng (Rén Shēn)
TCM Books:
(1) Internally: 3–9 grams per dose, decocted separately and added to the final decoction; or prepared as a finely powdered herb, taken orally at 2 grams per dose, twice daily. (2) Internally: Water decoction, 0.5–3 qián (≈1.5–9 grams); higher doses may reach 0.3–1 liǎng (≈9–30 grams); also prepared as ointments, pills, or powders. (3) Internally: water decoction, 3–10 grams, higher doses may reach 10–30 grams. It is preferable to decoct Radix Ginseng separately and add the decoction to the final mixture. Alternatively, it may be administered as a finely ground herb powder (1–2 g per dose), an ointment, a wine infusion, or in pill or powdered form.
Contraindications, Precautions, and Adverse Reactions: Radix Ginseng should not be combined with Veratrum nigrum (Black False Hellebore), Faeces Trogopteri (Civet Dung), Gleditsia sinensis (Chinese Honey Locust), Glycine max var. soja (black soybean), or Halichondria okadai extract (Halbrine). It should not be taken together with radish (Raphanus sativus) or radish seed, and should not be drinked together with tea or coffee. It should not be prepared or stored in iron utensils. It should be cautiously used during pregnancy, and is unsuitable for those who catch a cold and fever or children under 14 years old.
✵The article documents the herb ginseng, including its English name, Latin name, Pinyin name, properties and flavor, botanical source—namely the plant species Panax ginseng C. A. Mey.—and provides a detailed description of this species’ botanical features; its wild mountain, transplanted, and cultivated garden types; its growth characteristics and ecological environment; as well as the characteristics of the herb Ginseng root, pharmacological actions, medicinal efficacy, and administration guidelines.
Pinyin Name: Rén Shēn
Botanical Description: Panax ginseng C.A. Mey. is a perennial herb of the Araliaceae family (ginseng family) and genus Panax L. It is also known as Panax schin-seng Nees, Ginseng, Shén Cǎo ("miraculous herb"), or Bǎi Chǐ Gān. The plant grows 30–60 cm tall, occasionally up to 70 cm. Its main root is fleshy, hypertrophied, cylindrical or fusiform, often branched at the apex; the outer bark is primrose yellow (pale yellow). Leaves are palmately compound with long petioles. The number of whorled leaves (verticillate leaves) varies with age: one-year-old plants bear a single trifoliolate leaf; two-year-olds bear one pentafoliolate leaf (five leaflets); three-year-olds bear two pentafoliolate leaves; thereafter, one additional compound leaf is produced annually, up to six. Each compound leaf typically has five leaflets (occasionally seven); petiolules measure 1–3 cm; leaflets are lanceolate or ovate—two lower leaflets are smaller (2–4 cm long, 1–1.5 cm wide), while the three upper ones are larger (4.5–15 cm long, 2.2–4 cm wide); apices are acuminate, bases are cuneate, margins are finely serrulate; the upper surface is green and sparsely covered with fine bristles (setulae), while the lower surface is glabrous.
Umbels are terminal; peduncles measure 15–25 cm; each inflorescence comprises 10–80 small flowers (2–3 mm in diameter), arranged in a globose cluster. The calyx is green and 5-dentate. Petals are 5, pale yellowish-green and ovate. Stamens are 5, with very short filaments. The ovary is inferior, bilocular, with two styles—absent in hermaphroditic flowers—connate at the base and divergent apically.
Ecological Environment: Panax ginseng C. A. Mey. grows in deciduous broad-leaved forests or mixed coniferous–broad-leaved forests at elevations of several hundred meters above sea level. Wild-growing specimens are termed "wild ginseng" or "wild mountain ginseng"; cultivated specimens are called "garden ginseng." Plants grown by transplanting young wild ginseng into cultivated fields—or by transplanting cultivated seedlings into natural habitats for maturation—are termed "transplanted wild ginseng." The three principal types—wild mountain ginseng, garden ginseng, and transplanted wild ginseng—are described below:
Botanical Description: Panax ginseng C.A. Mey. is a perennial herb of the Araliaceae family and genus Panax L. It grows naturally in mountainous regions and is commonly known as wild ginseng, wild mountain ginseng, or Yě Shān Shēn ("ginseng growing in wild mountains"). Its rhizomes (reticular heads) are short, upright or oblique, and not thickened into tuberous masses. The main root (taproot) is hypertrophied, fusiform (spindle-shaped), or cylindrical. Stems above ground are solitary, 30–60 cm tall, with vertical stripes, glabrous, and bearing persistent scales at the base. Leaves are palmately compound, with 3–6 tuberculate stems apically; young shrubs have fewer leaves. Petioles are 3–8 cm long, longitudinally glabrous; stipules are absent at the base. Leaf blades number 3–5; young shrubs often have 3 leaf blades. The blades are membranous; central lobes are elliptic to oblong-elliptic, 8–12 cm long and 3–5 cm wide; the outermost pair of lateral leaflets are ovate, 2–4 cm long and 1.5–3 cm wide. The apex is long-acuminate; the base is broadly cuneate and decurrent. The margin is serrate, with thorny teeth. The upper surface bears a few scattered bristles (~1 mm long); the lower surface is glabrous. Lateral veins occur in 5–6 pairs, conspicuous on both surfaces; the veins themselves are not conspicuous. Petiolules are 0.5–2.5 cm long, and lateral petiolules are shorter.
Umbels are indistinct, ~1.5 cm in diameter, composed of 30–50 flowers, rarely 5–6; pedicels are usually longer than the leaves, 15–30 cm long, with vertical stripes. Pedicels are filiform, 0.8–1.5 cm long. Flowers are yellowish green. Calyx lobes are glabrous, with 5 triangular teeth along the margin. There are 5 petals, ovate-triangular in shape; 5 stamens, with short filaments; ovary is 2-locular; 2 styles, free.
Ecological Environment: Panax ginseng C. A. Mey grows in deciduous broad-leaved forests or mixed coniferous–broad-leaved forests at altitudes of several hundred meters above sea level.
Wild ginseng is also known as Ren Shen, Bang Chui (Battledore), Fairy Grass, Di Jing (Earth Goblin), among other names. A legend explains the origin of the name Di Jing (Earth Goblin): During the reign of Emperor Sui Wendi of the Sui Dynasty, a resident of Shangdang County reportedly heard crying sounds every night upon returning home—but found no one nearby. Venturing about one mile out, he discovered a ginseng plant whose foliage appeared unusually vigorous. He dug five feet deep into the soil and unearthed a ginseng root resembling a human body—complete with four limbs—and the crying ceased immediately. Since then, it has been called Di Jing (Earth Goblin).
Numerous folk legends surround ginseng. One tale recounts: Long ago, an old man living in the mountains had a son who frequently ventured alone into the hills. One day, the boy returned home saying he had met a plump child wearing a red belt, who played with him in the mountains—an odd occurrence. The father suspected the child was ginseng incarnate. He gave his son a needle threaded with red thread and instructed him to insert the needle into the child’s pocket—if it were truly ginseng, the child would be unable to move. When the boy next encountered the plump child in the mountains, he pinned the needle into the child’s pocket—and the child instantly transformed into a large ginseng root. Hence, mountain foragers traditionally prepare red thread in advance and pin it onto the ginseng stem upon discovery, preventing the ginseng from "running away."
Harvesting wild ginseng is extremely labor-intensive: a single root may require one or several months of arduous searching in remote mountains. It is said that a beautiful bird inhabits deep, ancient forests—most active in August. This bird feeds on ginseng seeds and emits a call resembling a scholar’s voice: "Wang Ganduo! Wang Ganduo!", clearly audible. Where this bird is heard, ginseng is likely present. Wild ginseng grows naturally in old, remote, densely forested mountains; some specimens have grown undisturbed for centuries, without artificial cultivation or chemical intervention. Its collection is exceptionally labor-intensive, its medicinal value extremely high, and it is a rare, ecologically precious green resource—highly valued for conservation and commanding premium prices.
Characteristics of Herbs: Wild Mountain Ginseng Wild Mountain Ginseng is also known as wild ginseng or Yě Shān Shēn. It bears a thin, deep, horizontal ring pattern on the upper end. The rhizome is slender and elongated, typically 3–9 cm long, with a twisted upper portion commonly termed the "wild goose-neck reed"; the stem scars ("reed bowls") are densely arranged on this part. The lower portion is smooth and lacks stem scars, colloquially called the “round reed”. The main root (taproot) is thick and short—equal to or shorter than the rhizome—and usually bears two lateral roots, arranged in a figure-eight or cylindrical configuration, measuring 10–20 cm in length and 1–2 cm in diameter. The surface is sallow (grayish-yellow), with vertical wrinkles; the upper portion exhibits fine, dense spiral ridges, traditionally termed “iron-wire patterns”. An apical rhizome extends from the tip of the taproot: it is slender and elongated, approximately equal to or longer than the taproot; calathiform (bowl-shaped) stem scars are densely arranged along it. The rhizome segment adjacent to the taproot is smooth and devoid of stem scars—commonly termed "Yuan Lu". Pendulous adventitious roots arise beside the rhizomes, resembling jujube pits in shape. Lateral roots bear sparse, slender fibrous roots approximately 2–3 times the length of the main ginseng body; these are flexible and resistant to breakage, and bear conspicuous verrucous protrusions ("pearl spots"). The fresh root surface of wild mountain ginseng is yellowish-white, with fine, smooth skin.
Botanical Description: Panax ginseng C. A. Mey is a member of the Araliaceae family (ginseng family) and the genus Panax L. It grows naturally in mountainous habitats or is cultivated in farmland, and is commonly known as Transplant Wild Ginseng or Yí Shān Shēn (“transplanted ginseng”). This term applies to two scenarios: (i) young wild ginseng seedlings—too small and immature for harvest—are transplanted into shaded understory near human dwellings to facilitate care and natural growth; or (ii) cultivated ginseng seedlings are transplanted into wild forest settings and left to grow without irrigation or fertilization. Wild ginseng is a rare medicinal material native to the pristine forests of the Changbai Mountains. It primarily inhabits hilly, broad-leaved mixed forests at elevations of 1,000–2,200 m above sea level, under canopy densities of 0.7–0.8. Its distribution areas exhibit humid temperate monsoon climate characteristics and are predominantly located in shaded, east–west oriented microhabitats receiving filtered sunlight. Wild ginseng is regarded as possessing the highest medicinal efficacy—valued for its scarcity and esteemed globally.
Transplant Wild Ginseng is a category of ginseng bridging wild and cultivated types. It comprises two subtypes: Mountain Transplant and Home Transplant. The Mountain Transplant type refers to wild seedlings collected from mountains—too small or young for market—and transplanted into nearby shaded understory for supervised natural growth. The Home Transplant type refers to ginseng seedlings originally grown in cultivation, which are then transplanted into mountain forests and managed without irrigation or fertilizer, allowing them to mature under near-natural conditions.
Ecological Environment: Panax ginseng C. A. Mey (Transplant Wild Ginseng) grows in mountainous forests.
The lateral roots ("legs") of Transplant Wild Ginseng are relatively straight and elongated, commonly bearing 1–3 longitudinal stripes (or more). As transplanted seedlings grow in nutrient-rich new soil, nutrient accumulation concentrates predominantly in the lower portion of the taproot (main root), causing rapid expansion of this region while the upper portion remains unchanged. This results in a distinct color contrast: the upper portion appears dark brown to blackish, whereas the lower portion remains pale or whitish. The cortex is slightly swollen and tender, with a rough, non-smooth texture; transverse striations are sparse and shallow; annular ridges are faint; and the periderm lacks tightly packed, fine longitudinal lines. Following transplantation, lateral roots and fibrous roots proliferate and become intergrown—often inseparable. The fibrous roots themselves are fine, tender, and short, with increased branching concentrated at the distal (lower) end; no dominant primary fibrous root is present, and “pearl spots” are sparse and diminutive. Generally, the longer the reed, the more pronounced the tapering—thick at the base and attenuated toward the apex. Lateral roots ("cockp") are often upturned and extend laterally; transverse striations are coarse and shallow; the cortex is rough and rugose. Abnormal features—including excessive fibrous root proliferation due to high soil fertility, reddish rust lesions, and mechanical scars—may also occur.
Characteristics of the Herb: Transplant Wild Ginseng Transplant Wild Ginseng resembles wild ginseng morphologically, but the lower portion of the taproot (main root) is frequently enlarged and hypertrophied, exhibiting thick, shallow longitudinal lines that often extend halfway up the taproot. Pearl spots on the fibrous roots are few. Processed Transplant Wild Ginseng herbs retain the general shape of wild ginseng roots.
Botanical Description: Panax ginseng C. A. Mey is a member of the Araliaceae family (ginseng family) and the genus Panax L. Plants grown in cultivated fields under artificial management are commonly termed Garden Ginseng, cultivated ginseng, or Yuán Shēn ("ginseng cultivated in herb gardens"). Its growth habit resembles that of wild mountain ginseng, though morphological distinctions are evident.
Growth Characteristics: Panax ginseng C. A. Mey prefers cool, moist climates and avoids intense direct sunlight; it exhibits strong cold resistance. It has stringent soil requirements: cultivation should be conducted in fields rich in organic matter—such as sandy loam or humus soil—with good permeability; continuous cropping must be avoided.
Characteristics of the Herb: Garden ginseng Garden ginseng is also known as seedling ginseng. The taproot is cylindrical or fusiform (spindle-shaped), 3–15 cm long and 1–2 (or up to 3) cm in diameter; the upper end connects to a thinner rhizome (customarily called the “reed head”—the residual part of the stem), 2–5.5 cm long, bearing 4–6 bowl-shaped stem scars (customarily called “reed bowls”), arranged alternately; winter buds are often visible beside the apical stem scars. The lower part bears 2–4 rootlets and a few thin lateral roots (branch roots), 8–12 cm long; the lower portion of the rootlets bears numerous thin, long fibrous roots. The surface of the rootlets sometimes exhibits inconspicuous, small, fine verrucous protrusions (customarily called “pearl spots”). The surface is light yellowish-brown (fallow-colored), with irregular vertical wrinkles and fine transverse striations; the transverse striations on the taproot are often thin, dense, and discontinuous, forming ring-like patterns. The surface of the rootlets bears a few elongated lenticels. The herb is hard in texture; the fracture surface is yellowish-white, with the cortex displaying numerous radial fissures and scattered yellowish-brown small spots (resin ducts). It has a distinctive odor, is aromatic, tastes slightly sweet and bitter.
Since the Tang dynasty, artificial cultivation of ginseng has been practiced. Cultivated garden ginseng is grown in northern and northwestern regions and in Hubei Province, in addition to extensive cultivation in the northeast. Under meticulous management, cultivated ginseng can be harvested after six years. Ginseng grows predominantly between 40° and 45° N latitude, with an average January temperature of −23 °C to 5 °C (−9.4 °F to 41 °F), and an average July temperature of 20 °C to 26 °C (68 °F to 78.8 °F). It exhibits strong cold resistance, tolerating temperatures as low as −40 °C (−40 °F); its optimal growth temperature range is 15 °C to 25 °C (59 °F to 77 °F). The accumulated temperature requirement is 2,000–3,000 °C; the frost-free period lasts 125–150 days; snow depth ranges from 20 to 44 cm; and annual precipitation is 500–1,000 mm. The soil must be well-drained, loose, fertile brown forest soil with a deep humus layer—or brownish forest soil with a mountainous origin—having a pH of 5.5–6.2. Ginseng grows under the canopy of Pinus koraiensis mixed forests or deciduous broad-leaved forests, with canopy density of 0.7–0.8. It typically begins flowering in the third year and fruits from the fifth to sixth year; its flowering period extends from May to June, and its fruiting period from June to September. It thrives in deciduous broad-leaved forests or coniferous–broad-leaved mixed forests at elevations of several hundred meters above sea level.
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