Introduction of Xi Yang Shen:American Ginseng or Radix Panacis Quinquefolii.
✵The article gives records of the herb American Ginseng, its English name, Latin name, property and flavor, its botanical source one plant species, ①.Panax quinquefolium L., with a detailed introduction to the botanical features of this plant species, the growth characteristics, and ecological environment of this plant species, the features of the herb American Ginseng, its pharmacological actions, medicinal efficacy, and administration guide.
Radix Panacis Quinquefolii(American Ginseng).
Pin Yin Name: Xī Yánɡ Shēn, or Huā Qí Shēn.
English Name: American Ginseng.
Latin Name: Radix Panacis Quinquefolii.
Property and flavor: cool in nature, tastes sweet, slightly bitter.
Brief introduction: The herb Radix Panacis Quinquefolii is the dried root of Panax quinquefolium L., used to replenish Qi, nourish Yin, reduce the internal heat and promote fluid production, for treating (1). Yin deficiency with exuberant fire with cough and blood-streaked sputum, and (2).impairment of both Qi and Yin in cases of febrile diseases with fidgetiness and thirst. The herb is commonly known as Radix Panacis Quinquefolii, American Ginseng, Xī Yánɡ Shēn.
Botanical source: Herbal classic book defined the herb American Ginseng (Radix Panacis Quinquefolii, Xi Yang Shen) as the dry root of the Araliaceae family (ginseng, ivy family) plant species (1). Panax quinquefolium L. It is a plant of the Panax L. genus, the Araliaceae family of the Apiales order. This commonly used species is introduced:
(1).Panax quinquefolium L.
Botanical description: The plant, Panax quinquefolium L is a plant of the Araliaceae family (ginseng, ivy family) and Panax genus, it is commonly known as Panax quinquefolius, Huā Qí Shēn, Xī Yánɡ Shēn. and also other names Aralia quinquefolia, Panax quinquefolium, American ginseng, Panax quinquefolius L., Radix Panacis Quinquefolii, literally "Huā Qí" means "the Stars and Stripes" (the national flag of the USA), "Xī Yánɡ Shēn" means "the Ginseng of occidental countries". A perennial herb, it grows up to 25-30 cm high. The taproot (main root) is circular (rounded) or fusiform (spindle-shaped), sometimes branched. Stems are cylindrical and have vertical striation. Palmately compound leaves, usually 3–4 leaves grow apically in a whorl; petioles are squished (flattened), 5-7 cm long; usually 5 lobules (leaflets), rarely 7, 2 lobules underside are smaller; petiolules are 1-2 cm long; lobelets are obovate, broad-ovate (broadly ovate), or broadly elliptical, 4-9 cm long, 2-5 cm wide, the apex is sharp caudate, base is decurrent and cuneate (wedge-shaped), edge is coarsely serrate, there are sparse fine setula (setulae) along leaf veins.
Umbels are single and apical, 20–80 flowerets (floscules) accumulate into spherical shape (globular), peduncles are 10-20 cm long, flower bracts are oval (egg-shaped); the calyx is campanulate (bell-shaped), green, 5-dentate lobed; corolla is green-white, 5 petals, oblong; 5 stamens, filament base is slightly flat; 1 pistil, ovary is inferior, 2-loculed, 2 styles, the upper part is separated, circinal floral disc (ring-shaped flower disc), succulent.
Drupaceous berries, oblate, many, aggregate in clusters and are capitate, turns ruby-red (bright red) at maturity. Its flowering period is from May to June, the fruiting period is from June to September.
Ecological Environment: The plant grows in a mountainous area at altitudes of about 1,000 meters above sea level. It likes scattered light and diffuses light and adapts to grow on sandy forest soil. Geographical distribution: This species is native to the forest area of northern Wisconsin in the USA (the United States of America), and now it has also been introduced and distributed in southern Canada, and China.
Growth characteristics: The plant, Panax quinquefolium L., prefers warm, moist environments, the average annual temperature in the main producing areas of the USA is 3.6~12.7 °C (Celsius, or 38.48~54.86 degrees Fahrenheit); the average temperature in January is -11.0~3.9 °C (Celsius, or 12.2~39.02 degrees Fahrenheit); the average temperature in July is 20.1~24 °C (Celsius, or 68.18~75.2 degrees Fahrenheit), and the annual precipitation is 1,100~1,200 mm. The soil is forest gray-brown soil with a taupe(grayish-brown) surface, aggregated structure (granular structure), high humus content, pH value (pH scale:acidity-basicity) is 5.3~6.5, and good permeability.
Characters of herbs: The taproot (main root) of sun-dried American ginseng root with fully-fibrous root is cylindrical or shortly cylindrical, fusiform (spindle-shaped), with divaricated rootlets in the lower part, sometimes the taproot has no rootlets in the lower part then the taproot is conical or fusiform, with a length of 1.5~9 cm or 3~12 cm, and the diameter is 0.5~3 cm or 0.8~2 cm; the surface is faint yellow (pale yellow) or khaki (stone yellow), has dense fine ring grains (fringes), vertical wrinkles and a few elongated lenticels. The root and rhizome have been removed or partially remained, cylindrical or flat cylinder (flat cylindrical), with a length of 0.1~1.3 cm, and 0.1~1 cm in diameter, have 1-4 concave pit-like stem marks, and sometimes there are adventitious roots. There are no rootlets or 2~6 rootlets, and they have fibrous roots and verrucous protrusions on them. The texture of the herb is hard and crisp, the fracture surface is yellowish-white, has brown or brownish-yellow rings, the cortex has a salmon color (orange-red) or reddish brown spots scattering on the bark (the cortex), and has radial fissurings. The herb has a slight fragrance, it tastes bitter and slightly sweet. The herb of a better grade has even stripes, the texture is hard, there are tight cross striations on the surface, delicate fragrance (faint scent), and a strong flavor.
Pharmacological actions: ①.calming effect; ②.moderate stimulatory effect to vital center; ③.anti-fatigue effect; ④.anti-diuretic effect; ⑤.hypoxia tolerance, etc.
Medicinal efficacy: Supplementing Qi, Nourishing Yin, invigorate lung-Yin, clear deficient fire, clear heat and generate body fluid, generate body fluid and relieve thirst. It is indicated for deficiency of Qi and Yin, excessive fire due to Qi and Yin deficiency, asthenic fever and upset lassitude, lung deficiency and chronic cough, cough and dyspnea with phlegm blood, lose blood, endogenous heat and wasting thirst (internal heat, consumptive thirst), dry pharynx and thirst, dry mouth and dry pharynx, etc.
Administration of Radix Panacis Quinquefolii (Xī Yánɡ Shēn):
Reference:
Administration Guide of Radix Panacis Quinquefolii (Xī Yánɡ Shēn)
TCM Books:
①.Internally: 3~6 grams, decoct separately, add to decoction and take; ②.Internally:water decoction, 0.8~2 qian (about 2.4~6 grams), decoct separately, add to decoction and take; ③.Internally:water decoction,3~6 grams;or prepared to pill, powder.
Contraindications,Precautions and Adverse Reactions: the herb Radix Panacis Quinquefolii should not be combined with Black False Hellebore. Should avoid prepare with ironware and frying with fire.
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1.Introduction of Xi Yang Shen:American Ginseng or Radix Panacis Quinquefolii.
✵The article gives records of the herb American Ginseng, its English name, Latin name, property and flavor, its botanical source one plant species, ①.Panax quinquefolium L., with a detailed introduction to the botanical features of this plant species, the growth characteristics, and ecological environment of this plant species, the features of the herb American Ginseng, its pharmacological actions, medicinal efficacy, and administration guide.
Pin Yin Name: Xī Yánɡ Shēn, or Huā Qí Shēn.
Botanical description: The plant, Panax quinquefolium L is a plant of the Araliaceae family (ginseng, ivy family) and Panax genus, it is commonly known as Panax quinquefolius, Huā Qí Shēn, Xī Yánɡ Shēn. and also other names Aralia quinquefolia, Panax quinquefolium, American ginseng, Panax quinquefolius L., Radix Panacis Quinquefolii, literally "Huā Qí" means "the Stars and Stripes" (the national flag of the USA), "Xī Yánɡ Shēn" means "the Ginseng of occidental countries". A perennial herb, it grows up to 25-30 cm high. The taproot (main root) is circular (rounded) or fusiform (spindle-shaped), sometimes branched. Stems are cylindrical and have vertical striation. Palmately compound leaves, usually 3–4 leaves grow apically in a whorl; petioles are squished (flattened), 5-7 cm long; usually 5 lobules (leaflets), rarely 7, 2 lobules underside are smaller; petiolules are 1-2 cm long; lobelets are obovate, broad-ovate (broadly ovate), or broadly elliptical, 4-9 cm long, 2-5 cm wide, the apex is sharp caudate, base is decurrent and cuneate (wedge-shaped), edge is coarsely serrate, there are sparse fine setula (setulae) along leaf veins.
Umbels are single and apical, 20–80 flowerets (floscules) accumulate into spherical shape (globular), peduncles are 10-20 cm long, flower bracts are oval (egg-shaped); the calyx is campanulate (bell-shaped), green, 5-dentate lobed; corolla is green-white, 5 petals, oblong; 5 stamens, filament base is slightly flat; 1 pistil, ovary is inferior, 2-loculed, 2 styles, the upper part is separated, circinal floral disc (ring-shaped flower disc), succulent.
Ecological Environment: The plant grows in a mountainous area at altitudes of about 1,000 meters above sea level. It likes scattered light and diffuses light and adapts to grow on sandy forest soil. Geographical distribution: This species is native to the forest area of northern Wisconsin in the USA (the United States of America), and now it has also been introduced and distributed in southern Canada, and China.
Characters of herbs: The taproot (main root) of sun-dried American ginseng root with fully-fibrous root is cylindrical or shortly cylindrical, fusiform (spindle-shaped), with divaricated rootlets in the lower part, sometimes the taproot has no rootlets in the lower part then the taproot is conical or fusiform, with a length of 1.5~9 cm or 3~12 cm, and the diameter is 0.5~3 cm or 0.8~2 cm; the surface is faint yellow (pale yellow) or khaki (stone yellow), has dense fine ring grains (fringes), vertical wrinkles and a few elongated lenticels. The root and rhizome have been removed or partially remained, cylindrical or flat cylinder (flat cylindrical), with a length of 0.1~1.3 cm, and 0.1~1 cm in diameter, have 1-4 concave pit-like stem marks, and sometimes there are adventitious roots. There are no rootlets or 2~6 rootlets, and they have fibrous roots and verrucous protrusions on them. The texture of the herb is hard and crisp, the fracture surface is yellowish-white, has brown or brownish-yellow rings, the cortex has a salmon color (orange-red) or reddish brown spots scattering on the bark (the cortex), and has radial fissurings. The herb has a slight fragrance, it tastes bitter and slightly sweet. The herb of a better grade has even stripes, the texture is hard, there are tight cross striations on the surface, delicate fragrance (faint scent), and a strong flavor.
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