Identification & Quality Standard
Radix et Rhizoma Ginseng
Botanical Origin
The dried root and rhizome of Panax ginseng C. A. Mey.(Araliaceae) (cultivated).
Production Regions
Primarily produced in the Chinese provinces of Jilin, Liaoning, Heilongjiang.
Quality Requirements
Superior medicinal material has thick strip, hard texture, thin skin, without broken.
Macroscopic Features
Sun-dried ginseng: Root is fusiform or cylindrical, 3~15cm long, 1~2cm diameter. Externally grayish-yellow, upper portion or whole body has loose and shallow intermittent thick horizontal lines and obvious longitudinal wrinkles, lower portion has 2~3 lateral roots, with numerous thin and long rootlets which have unobvious tiny verruca. Rhizome is 1~4cm long, 0.3~ 1.5 cm diameter, often twisted and curved, with adventitious roots and loose indented stem scars. Relatively hard texture, fractured surface is pale yellowish-white, powdery, cambium rings are brownish-yellow, cortex has yellowish-brown spotted resin canal and radial cracks. Distinctive odor, slightly bitter, sweet taste. Wild ginseng: main root and rhizome is equally long or relatively short, “人”shaped, rhombus or cylindrical, 2~10cm long. Externally grayish-yellow, with longitudinal wrinkles, upper portion has dense deep ringed horizontal lines, often has 2 lateral roots, rootlets is thin and long, clear and not messed, with obvious verruca. Rhizome is thin and long, upper portion has dense stem scars, adventitious root is relatively thick, similar to jujube seed. Wild ginseng pieces: spherical or sub-spherical thin pieces, externally grayish-white, with “chrysanthemum lines,” powdery, light in weight, brittle texture. Distinctively aromatic odor.
