Recently, Chinese Herbal Medicines, a top-tier, high-impact journal in traditional Chinese medicine, published a cross-cultural ethnobotanical study led by the HPRD LAB at the Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, in collaboration with international scholars. The research systematically maps the traditional applications of the Panax (ginseng) genus worldwide, laying a solid foundation for its development in the health food sector.
As traditional medicinal and edible resources, Panax plants are globally recognized for their efficacy and safety. By integrating data from authoritative global plant databases, the study confirms 14 valid Panax species, primarily distributed across East Asia and North America, all of which are used as food or medicine.
This work presents the first comprehensive global overview of Panax uses. Ancient Chinese texts document 4 Panax species, while 25 ethnic minorities in China utilize 8 species and 1 variety, addressing 16 categories of health needs. Globally, 12 countries employ 10 species and 2 varieties, with applications spanning general wellness, skincare, respiratory and digestive health.
Cross-cultural comparisons reveal Panax plants are regarded as versatile health botanicals across nations, valued for boosting immunity, anti-aging, and nourishment. Ethnic groups have developed unique uses: Zang People apply them exclusively for urinary health, while the Yi people prioritize their hemostatic and analgesic effects. Modern research identifies ginsenosides and polysaccharides as key bioactive components, with rare ginsenosides emerging as a major focus in the global health market in recent years.
The study fills critical gaps in global Panax traditional use research, guides the exploitation of Panax species especially for the lesser-known ones, advances the sustainable utilization of medicinal-edible plant resources, and injects new vitality into the public health industry.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1674638426000651