Japanese Ginseng

Panax japonicus

Physical Characteristics

Panax japonicus is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.6 m (2ft). The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) or semi-shade (light woodland). It prefers moist soil.

Distribution

E. Asia - China, Japan.

Habitats

Woodland Garden Shady Edge; not Deep Shade;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Edible Uses: Tea The roots are used as a flavouring in teas and liqueurs[183]. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity.

Medicinal Uses

Expectorant Febrifuge Stomachic Tonic Expectorant, tonic[61, 174]. A decoction of the root is expectorant, febrifuge and stomachic[218].

Known Hazards

The root contains up to 5% saponins[174]. Saponins are found in many foods, such as some beans, and although they are fairly toxic to people they are poorly absorbed by the body and most pass straight through without any problem. Thorough cooking will also break them down. Saponins are much more toxic to some creatures, such as fish, and hunting tribes have traditionally put large quantities of them in streams, lakes etc in order to stupefy or kill the fish[K].