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Common Name:

General Information

Panax pseudoginseng is a perennial plant that can grow up to 1.00 metres tall.
It has edible and medicinal uses.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

E. Asia - China to the Himalayas and Burma.

Habitat

Forests and shrubberies, 2100 - 4300 metres in C. Nepal in the Himalayas[]. Moist shady places at elevations of 2000 - 3300 metres in Nepal[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	1.00 m
Growth Rate	Slow
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Requires a moist humus rich soil in a shady position in a woodland[].
Plants are hardy to at least -15°c[].
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[].
The sub-species P. pseudo-ginseng notoginseng. (Burkill.)Hoo.&Tseng. is the form used medicinally in China[], this plant is given a separate entry in this database[].

Edible Uses

Young leaves and shoots - cooked as a vegetable[].
The roots are chewed, used as a flavouring in liqueurs or made into a tea[].

Medicinal

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

Other Uses

None known

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.