American ginseng is similar to the more common Asian (Panax ginseng) variety, but has a different type of effect. In traditional Chinese medicine, American ginseng is considered more of a soothing remedy than the Asian variety. The ginseng plant (more specifically, its root) has been used for centuries by Native American peoples as a kind of panacea and has long been exported to Asia, where it has since become a vital part of Eastern medicine. Ginseng’s widely-held reputation as a cure-all may be in part due to the fact that its tan, gnarled root resembles the human body.

American ginseng is a long-lived deciduous forest perennial, and is indigenous to North America – primarily growing in the Eastern United States and Canada, where it is considered to be a species at risk. Ginseng is a very slow-growing plant, and it may take four to six years for the plant’s root to be of harvestable size; the age of the plant can be gauged by examining the wrinkles around the neck of the root. American ginseng is primarily used to bolster mental function, increase stamina, and to strengthen the human immune system. The effect of both the Asian and the American ginseng plants has the reputation of being a sort of holistic ‘pick-me-up’. However, the American ginseng tends to be more of a healer and less of a stimulant than its Asian relative. American ginseng can be used to treat a number of conditions simply by fortifying the body’s immune system, and can aid both mental and physical performance by virtue of its properties as a stimulant.

Dosage for the ginseng tincture will depend on body weight, age, and desired magnitude of effect, but a good starting point is 1-2ml of the tincture diluted in a bit of water (tinctures are generally quite strong, and are usually extracted and kept in a solution of alcohol, so it’s important to dilute the extract). Effects should be experienced within two weeks of daily dosage, and it is advisable to take breaks when administering this remedy. (For example, take the solution daily for a period of three weeks, followed by a break of two weeks, etc.) There is only one restriction for anyone considering the use of any type of ginseng: people with hypertension should NOT take ginseng products, and those with low blood pressure, diabetes, or any serious illness should consult a medical professional and be cautious when using the herb.

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