Panax pseudoginseng -

Family:	Araliaceae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	1
Width:	0.7
Synonyms:
Range:	E. Asia - China to the Himalayas and Burma.

Panax pseudoginseng () is a Perennial which grows to a height of 1m and a width of 0.7m . It has a slow growth rate. It has a hardness rating of 6.
The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by

Soil Information

Panax pseudoginseng will grow in light (sandy),medium (loamy),hard (clay) soil. It is not necessary for the soil to be well drained.
The soil prefers the following PH / acid levels :
- pH of less than 6, Acidic soils
- pH between 6 and 8, Neutral soils
- pH greater than 8, Basic soils
Panax pseudoginseng prefers moist soils

Ideal Planting Locations

Panax pseudoginseng can grow in full or semi shaded areas.

Forests and shrubberies, 2100 - 4300m in C. Nepal in the Himalayas[51].

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• Grows within a woodland garden
• Works within dappled Shade
• Grows in a shady edge
• Is suited to a deeply shaded location

Cultivation Details

Requires a moist humus rich soil in a shady position in a woodland[200]. Plants are hardy to at least -15°c[238]. Nomenclature of this genus is rather confused with some botanists recognising P. ginseng as a variable plant that includes this species. Other botanists divide it into 4 or even 5 distinct species, giving this plant specific status. This plant has been grossly over-collected from the wild for its use as a medicinal plant and it is rapidly approaching extinction in most parts of its range[238]. The sub-species P. pseudo-ginseng notoginseng. (Burkill.)Hoo.&Tseng. is the form used medicinally in China[176], this plant is given a separate entry in this database[K].

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 1/5
Young leaves and shoots - cooked as a vegetable[272]. The roots are chewed, used as a flavouring in liqueurs or made into a tea[183].

• Drink - not including plant saps, tea or coffee substitutes.
• Leaves -
• Tea - the various herb teas that can be used in place of tea, plus the genuine article.

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 3/5
The roots and the flowers are antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, aphrodisiac, cardiotonic, diuretic, expectorant, haemostatic, hypoglycaemic and stimulant[176, 238, 272]. The root is used internally in the treatment of indigestion, vomiting, coronary heart disease and angina[238, 272]. The roots are also used both internally and externally in the treatment of nosebleeds, haemorrhages from the lungs, digestive tract and uterus, and injuries[238]. The roots are harvested in the autumn, preferably from plants 6 - 7 years old, and can be used fresh or dried[238]. The flowers are used to treat vertigo and dizziness[238].

• Antibacterial - Kills bacteria.
• Antiinflammatory - Reduces inflammation of joints, injuries etc.
• Antiseptic - Preventing sepsis, decay or putrefaction, it destroys or arrests the growth of micro-organisms.
• Aphrodisiac - Increases the sexual appetite.
• Cardiotonic - A tonic for the heart.
• Diuretic - Acts on the kidneys, promoting the flow of urine.
• Expectorant - Clears phlegm from the chest by inducing coughing.
• Haemostatic - Controls internal bleeding.
• Hypoglycaemic - Reduces the levels of sugar in the blood.
• Stimulant - Excites or quickens activity of the physiological processes. Faster acting than a tonic but differing from a narcotic in that it does not give a false sense of well-being.

Propagation

Seed - sow in a shady position in a cold frame preferably as soon as it is ripe, otherwise as soon as the seed is obtained. It can be very slow and erratic to germinate. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in a shady position in the greenhouse or frame for at least their first winter. Make sure the pots are deep enough to accommodate the roots. Plant out into their permanent positions in late summer. Division in spring.

Known Hazards

None known

Other Uses

None known

Cultivars

no recorded cultivars

References

Flowers of the Himalayas.
Polunin. O. and Stainton. A.
Author: Polunin. O. and Stainton. A.
Rating:
Publisher : A very readable and good pocket guide (if you have a very large pocket!) to many of the wild plants in the Himalayas. Gives many examples of plant uses.
Date of Publication : 1984

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