American Ginseng: History, Hunting and Uses

By David A. Taylor
Published on June 30, 2014
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While surrounded in debate, some U.S. researchers have found that certain chemicals in American ginseng may protect brain cells against degenerative conditions like Parkinson’s disease.
While surrounded in debate, some U.S. researchers have found that certain chemicals in American ginseng may protect brain cells against degenerative conditions like Parkinson’s disease.
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“Ginseng, the Divine Root,” by David A. Taylor gives readers a look into the beliefs and stories that surround this interesting plant.
“Ginseng, the Divine Root,” by David A. Taylor gives readers a look into the beliefs and stories that surround this interesting plant.

The story behind ginseng is as remarkable as the root itself. In Ginseng, the Divine Root (Algonquin Books, 2006), David A. Taylor tracks the path of this fascinating plant — from the forests east of the Mississippi to the bustling streets of Hong Kong and the remote corners of China. It should be noted that the future viability of wild American ginseng is at risk because of several factors, including over harvesting and loss of habitat. Be careful about where you purchase American ginseng, and only buy it from companies that sustainably harvest this amazing medicinal plant. Find the history and uses of American ginseng in the following excerpt.

American Ginseng

The Cherokees speak of the plant as a sentient being … able to make itself invisible to those unworthy to gather it. — William Bartram, naturalist, Philadelphia, 1791

Resting on my desk is a single dried ginseng root. It looks small and insubstantial, a shriveled, pale-brown finger against a dark background. This one is four years old and came from a craft shop in Cherokee, North Carolina.

Few Americans would recognize this root as ginseng. Most people think of ginseng as a Chinese herb used in energy boosting food supplements. A visit to a health-food supermarket reveals a staggering array of them. The soft-drink aisle launches a rainbow brigade of shrink-wrapped bottles that list ginseng on their labels. The tea section has its own universe of ginseng items, from Yogi Tea to American Ginzing herbal tea. Even industry stalwart Lipton sells yellow boxes of Lemon Ginseng tea bags. In the dietary supplement section, shelves and shelves are devoted to ginseng capsules and tinctures of all kinds, often packaged with images of white-haired Asian philosophers or powerful dragons.

The root on my desk, however, is simply American ginseng, Panax quinquefolius, a native to North American forests and virtually identical to its sister in Asia, Panax ginseng. Asian ginseng has indeed been used for several thousand years as a popular health tonic. Less known is the fact that for nearly three centuries, this surprising family resemblance between the two plants has led American ginseng to navigate a labyrinthine passage around the world.

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