American Ginseng

May 27, 2010

by Lorraine Julien

Photo Top Right: American Ginseng. Bottom Right: Sarsparilla.

Just what is this legendary and intriguing plant that still grows wild in a few areas of eastern and central Ontario, across southwestern Quebec and through some U.S. states?

Well, for starters, I’ve learned that in Chinese, Ginseng means “man-root”. The name is derived from the fact that the root often grows in the shape of a man and its medicinal properties are believed to benefit the whole man. The aromatic root resembles a small parsnip that forks out as it matures. The plant grows 6 to 18 inches tall, usually bearing three leaves, each with three to five leaflets 2 to 5 inches long. There are two main types: North American Ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) and Asian Ginseng (Panax ginseng).

American Ginseng is a long-lived, slow-growing perennial herb found in rich, moist, mature deciduous forests. Its elongated root has a high market value and is used to make a medicinal tonic. Partly because of its slow growth and immense popularity, Wild Ginseng populations have been decreasing significantly in Ontario over the past 150 years. Some of the threats include harvesting, logging and the clearing of land for farming and development. Information from Ontario’s Biodiversity & Species at Risk website suggests that one quarter of former Wild Ginseng sites may have now disappeared.

My neighbour and I have both searched for Ginseng but, unless you really know what you are looking for, it is easy to confuse it with other plants such as Sarsparilla, another member of the Ginseng or Aralia family. I don’t want to stray off the subject but it’s interesting to note that some native peoples used Wild Sarsparilla as emergency food rations and settlers used the Sarsparilla roots to brew root beer and medicinal tea. American Spikenard is another similar looking plant in the same family.

Ginseng was discovered more than 5,000 years ago in China and has been used for over 2,000 years to replenish energy, as an aphrodisiac, to build resistance and immunity and generally promote health and longevity. It was used as a food at first until its medicinal properties were discovered. North American Ginseng was an important medicine for the people of the First Nations. They believed this herb could strengthen mental and physical abilities as well as increase fertility.

Wild Ginseng numbers have been diminishing for many years; as far back as 1891 a statute was enacted in Ontario to protect it. This original statute was repealed in 1960 because it was thought the Act was archaic and not necessary! It is now protected again, though, under Ontario’s Endangered Species Act, 2007. This Act protects the species from being collected, killed or harmed. In southeastern Ontario, about 50% of wild American Ginseng populations are on public land. Municipalities are required by the Provincial Policy Statement under the Planning Act to prohibit the development of significant habitat of endangered species.

Even though the wild population of American Ginseng has dwindled for years, luckily there are commercial growers in the province. This industry began through the efforts of the Hellyer brothers, Clarence and Albert, who began, in the 1890s, to grow North American Ginseng on their farm near Waterford, Ontario. Their descendants are still growing Ginseng in southwestern Ontario. Today most North American Ginseng is produced in Ontario and British Columbia. According to the Ontario Ginseng Growers’ Association website, Ontario alone produces four million pounds of Ginseng root annually, 90% of which is exported to Asia. North American Ginseng is supposed to be of superior quality and has a sweeter taste.

In some of the south eastern states, in particular, there are programs to encourage the planting of Ginseng in forests to try to restore natural habitats and also to remove pressure from any remaining Wild Ginseng. There may be similar programs in Ontario but I’m not aware of them.

North American Ginseng is available now in a variety of product forms. It may be found in some popular energy drinks and even in some cosmetic preparations. Ginseng is also found in the following brand name products: Cold –FX which helps to alleviate cold and flu symptoms, Memory F/X for memory enhancement and AD/FX to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivy Disorder. It is known to be an anti-inflammatory and has also been used in the treatment of Type II diabetes.

Further information about this wonderful plant can be found on the following excellent websites: Ontario Ginseng Growers’ Association at www.ginsengontario.com, Ontario Biodiversity Species at Risk at www.rom.on.ca/ontario/risk and the Quinte Conservation Species at Risk website at www.quinteconservation.ca

If you are ever lucky enough to find the rare American Ginseng on your property, do not advertise the fact. Remember that it takes years to grow and is an endangered species. It is also illegal to dig up, kill or harm the plant. 

Please feel free to report any observations to Lorraine Julien at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  or Steve Blight at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.