Common Ginseng.

Panax ginseng

A perennial herbaceous plant of the Araliaceae family, 70 cm high. The root is taproot, cylindrical, branched, white or pale yellow. In the upper part of the root, one, sometimes two or three, overwintering buds are formed, from which stems develop in the spring.

The stem is straight, smooth, ending in a whorl of 3-5 leaves. The leaves are long-petiolate, palmately compound, five-parted. The flowers are bisexual, pale pink, collected in a simple umbrella.

The fruits are juicy and look like bright red berries. The seeds are yellowish-white, wrinkled, and ripen in August - September.

Common ginseng is widespread in the Primorsky Territory and in the south of Khabarovsk. Cultivated in various regions of our country. In culture, ginseng develops faster than in natural conditions and forms a more powerful root.

The plant does not tolerate stagnant water, but is sensitive to drought, so the soil should be kept moist. The most favorable for the development of ginseng are loose, well-drained, slightly acidic (pH 5.2-6.5) loamy and sandy loam soils with a high humus content (6-10%).

The site is prepared 1.5-2 years before planting the seedlings. The basis of the soil should be manure and leaf humus, peat chips, forest soil, rotted sawdust, coal slag, coarse sand and other components.

Ginseng is shade-tolerant. It does not tolerate open sunny places, so it is grown under artificial shading or under a tree canopy.

Seedlings are planted at the end of September - the first half of October. Care consists of loosening the soil, watering, fertilizing and spraying against diseases.

The roots serve as medicinal raw materials. They contain biologically active substances that have a tonic, strengthening, and immunomodulatory effect.

Ginseng preparations are indicated for physical and mental fatigue, after serious illnesses. They are prescribed to increase the body's resistance to adverse factors.