Common Name:

General Information

Panax vietnamensis is a herbaceous perennial plant growing from a stout, fleshy tuberous rhizome; it produces a cluster of one or more unbranched stems around 20 - 60cm tall with 3 - 7 leaves in a whorl at the summit of each stem[, ].
A very popular medicinal herb in Vietnam, where it is one of the species that is commonly used as a form of ginseng. The plant is harvested from the wild for local use and trade, and is often also cultivated for medicinal use, especially in Vietnam[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

E. Asia - central and southern China, Vietnam

Habitat

Not known

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.50 m
Pollinators	Bees, Flies
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of shady places in rich, moist but generally well-drained woodland soils[].
The roots of all the various Panax species are used medicinally. They are considered to be most effective if harvested when around 6 - 7 years old[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The roots of all the various species in the genus Panax are known to be rich sources of a range of medicinally active compounds, especially saponins. All of the species, especially those in eastern Asia, are highly valued for their medicinal virtues. The best-known species in the genus (Panax ginseng) has a history of medicinal use going back many centuries. The other species are also valued in their own right, as well as often also being used and labelled as ginseng.

The root of this plant is much used in Vietnamese pharmaceutical preparations[, ].

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.