Panax quinquefolius (root)

Nomenclature

Panax quinquefolius L.   Araliaceae  
Standardized common name (English): American ginseng

Introduction

Introduction from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panax_quinquefolius, retrieved 02/27/2012).

American ginseng, Panax quinquefolius, is a herbaceous perennial plant in the ivy family, commonly used as Chinese or herbal medicine.

It is native to eastern North America, though it is also cultivated in places such as China.

The plant's forked root and leaves were traditionally used for medicinal purposes by Native Americans. Since the 19th century, the roots have been collected by "'sang hunters" and sold to Chinese or Hong Kong traders, who often pay very high prices for particularly old wild roots.

It is also known by its Chinese name Huaqishen (simplified Chinese: 花旗参; traditional Chinese: 花旗參; Mandarin Pinyin: huāqíshēn; Jyutping: faa1kei4sam1; literally "The Star-Spangled Banner (American) ginseng") or Xiyangshen (simplified Chinese: 西洋参; traditional Chinese: 西洋參; Mandarin Pinyin: xīyángshēn; Jyutping: sai1joeng4sam1; literally "west ocean ginseng").

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Microscopic Entries

Rosette of calcium oxalate observed at 400x with Acidified Chloral Hydrate Glycerol Solution.cellular structures identified in this botanical specimen are the rosette of calcium oxalate and the yellow secretion from a resin canal when observed at 400x with Acidified Chloral Hydrate Glycerol Solution. Source: Elan M. Sudberg, Alkemist Laboratories