70-2 
to it medicinal properties of inestimable value, and a remedial agency in fatigue 
and the infirmities of old age. So great is the plant esteemed in China that the 
Emperor monopolizes the right of gathering its roots. The preparation of the best 
roots for the Chinese market is a process which renders them yellow, semi-trans- 
parent, and of a horny appearance ; this condition is gained by first plunging them — 
in hot water, brushing until thoroughly scoured, and steaming over boiling millet — 
seed. The root thus prepared is chewed by the sick to recover health, and by the 
healthy to increase their vitality; it is said that it removes both mental and bodily 
fatigue, cures pulmonary complaints, dissolves humors, and prolongs life to a ripe 
old age,—for all of which the root has often brought in the markets ten times its 
weight in silver. Father Jartoux* finally became so satisfied that the use of the 
root verified all that was said of its virtues, that he, in his own case, adds testimony 
as to its relief of fatigue and increase of vitality. Those roots that are bifurcated 
are held by the natives to be the most powerful; it was to this kind—which they 
considered to resemble the human form—that they gave the name 7in-chen, like a 
man. Strange as it may seem, the American Indian name of the plant, garant- 
oguen, means the same. 
The plant is becoming rare in this country, and in fact wherever it is found, 
on account of the value it brings in the markets. In 1718 the Jesuits of Canada 
began shipping the roots to China; in 1748 they sold at a dollar a pound here 
and nearly five in China; afterward the price fluctuated greatly on account of a 
dislike in China of our product; and finally its gathering has nearly ceased, though © 
fine sun-dried roots will now bring nearly a dollar per pound at New York. 
Panax was dismissed from the U. S. Ph. at the last revision, and is simply — 
mentioned in the Eclectic Materia Medica. 
PART USED AND PREPARATION.—The genuine Chinese or the American — 
root, dried and coarsely powdered, is covered with five times its weight of alcohol, 
and allowed to stand eight days, in a well-stoppered bottle, in a dark, cool place, 
being shaken twice a day. The tincture, poured off and filtered, has a clear, light 
lemon color by transmitted light, an odor like the root, a taste at first bitter then 
dulcamarous, and an acid reaction. 
CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS.—Panaquilon, C,,H,,O,—This peculiar body, 
having a taste much like g/ycyrrhizin but more amarous, may be extracted from 
the root. It results as an amorphous, yellowish powder, soluble in water and 
alcohol, but not in ether, and precipitable by tannin. It breaks down under the 
action of sulphuric acid, which, in extracting three molecules of water, causes It ed 
give off carbonic dioxide and yield a new body as follows: y 
Panaquilon, Panacon, 
C,.H,,0, = CO, + (H,O), + C,H,,0,- 
PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTION.—Ginseng causes vertigo, dryness of the mucous 
membranes of the mouth and throat, increased appetite, accumulation of flatus 
mune 
* Phil. Trans., 28, 239. 
