Panax ginseng in history
Panax ginseng is a perennial shrub, native to north-eastern China, Korea and Russia.1 It was traditionally used as a tonic to support the body in times of increased demand and to promote good health and vitality.2-4
Panax ginseng was first recorded in Chinese medicine over 2000 years ago, and was already the subject of over 600 published books and papers before the year 2000.2,5
You may have heard of ‘ginseng’ before, but it’s important to know that not all ginseng is the same. Ginseng comprises a genus called ‘Panax’. Several species of ginseng exist within this, e.g. Panax ginseng CA Meyer, Panax notoginseng and so on. All are ginseng - but there is one with far more clinical research supporting its medical use. This is Panax ginseng CA Meyer.
The herb’s name comes from Panax meaning ‘cure all’ in Greek and ginseng from the Chinese (Mandarin) rén shn meaning ‘man ginseng’ because of the human like shape of the plant’s root.6