"Ginseng" is one of the most famous names in herbalism, and one of the most confusing. There are three roots commonly sold under or near that name, and they're not interchangeable. Here's how to tell them apart.
Asian ginseng: the warming powerhouse
Asian ginseng (Panax ginseng), also called Korean or Chinese ginseng, is the original. It has been revered in traditional Chinese practice for more than two thousand years. The genus name Panax comes from the same Greek root as "panacea," a sign of how highly it was regarded.
In traditional terms, Asian ginseng is warming and stimulating. It's used to:
- support energy, stamina and physical performance,*
- support cognitive function and mental sharpness,*
- help the body cope with stress, and*
- support healthy immune function.*
Best for: people who feel cold, depleted and low on energy, especially older adults and anyone recovering from a long, draining period. It's the most stimulating of the three, so take it earlier in the day and avoid it close to bedtime.
American ginseng: the cooler cousin
American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) is native to the hardwood forests of eastern North America, from Quebec down through Appalachia. It's a true ginseng, in the same genus as Asian ginseng. By the 1700s it was being exported to China in huge quantities, where it was prized as a cooler, gentler counterpart to the Asian root.
Wild American ginseng is now rare and protected, which is why ours is certified organic and cultivated in Canada.
American ginseng is considered cooling and moistening. It's used to:
- support stamina, endurance and mental function,*
- help the body cope with stress and fatigue, and*
- support healthy immune function.*
Best for: people who run hot, feel "fried," or find Asian ginseng too stimulating. It's a gentler daily tonic.
Eleuthero: the one that isn't actually ginseng
Eleuthero (Eleutherococcus senticosus) was long sold as "Siberian ginseng," but it's a different plant. It's a relative in the same plant family, without the ginsenosides that define true ginseng. US law has prohibited labeling it as ginseng since 2002, so look for it under its own name.
It still earns its place. Eleuthero was the plant at the center of the original Soviet research on adaptogens, studied for decades in athletes, workers and even cosmonauts. It's used to:
- support physical and mental energy and endurance,*
- help the body cope with environmental stress, overwork and chronic tiredness, and*
- support healthy immune function.*
Best for: people facing long periods of physical or mental demand who want steady support rather than a lift. It's also a key ingredient in our Endure formula.
How to choose
- Cold, tired, low energy: Asian ginseng.
- Stressed, overheated, easily overstimulated: American ginseng.
- Long haul of work, study or training: eleuthero.
- Not sure: American ginseng is the gentlest place to start.
Asian ginseng also appears in our ImmuMend formula, alongside eight other adaptogens.
How to take ginseng
Take ginseng between meals, following the label, and keep the last dose well before bedtime. Many traditional approaches use ginseng in cycles, for example several weeks on followed by a break of a week or two. As with all adaptogens, consistency matters more than a large dose.
Safety
True ginsengs can interact with medications, including blood thinners such as warfarin, diabetes medication, and stimulants. In one trial, high doses of American ginseng altered warfarin's effects. Don't exceed the suggested dose, and talk to your doctor before using ginseng if you take prescription medication, have high blood pressure, or are pregnant or nursing.
Shop this guide: Asian Ginseng · American Ginseng · Eleuthero · Endure · All adaptogens
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Photo: Panax quinquefolius by Alex Abair, licensed under CC BY 4.0.