American ginseng
American ginseng is Panax quinquefolius, native to eastern North America. Commercial supply is mostly field-cultivated under shade in Wisconsin and Ontario and harvested after three to four years, with smaller volumes of woods-grown and wild root. It is sold as dried whole root, slices, root powder and water or water-ethanol extracts standardized to ginsenosides.
Suppliers sell different products under the same name. Specify the one you need.
Whole or sliced cultivated root, graded by size, shape and age; mostly sold into tea and food markets.
Dried root milled to powder, often from smaller roots and prong; not standardized.
Dry extract sold on a percentage of ginsenosides by a stated HPLC method.
Root grown in forest conditions or wild-harvested, sold at a premium in small volumes with separate paperwork.
Compare each result with your own specification when the lot arrives.
Keep dried root and powder sealed, cool and dry to prevent mold and insect damage. Extracts are hygroscopic, so reseal opened containers. Shelf life or retest date comes from the supplier.
Origin, root age and grade drive both price and ginsenoside content. Record origin, grade and supplier lot at receiving, and confirm species on each lot because American and Asian ginseng are substituted for each other.
Facts from regulators and standards bodies, each linked to its source.
The EU Novel Food status Catalogue (entry POL-NF-00568) concerns the plant Panax quinquefolius and lists it as not novel in food.
Source: ec.europa.eu (opens in a new tab)This is general information, not regulatory advice. Status differs by country and by how the ingredient is used, so check the rules for your product and market.
Manufacturers and distributors whose own websites say they sell it.
Manufacturer · San Jose, CA
Draco Natural Products is a San Jose, California, maker of powdered botanical and mushroom extracts, including certified organic and traditional Chinese herb extracts, with an office in Shanghai.
Suppliers are in alphabetical order and none pays to appear. Each claim is checked against the supplier’s own website on the date shown. Ask for the specification sheet and a recent COA before you order, and confirm details with the supplier.
Common forms include dried root and slices, root powder, standardized extract and woods-grown and wild root. Ask each supplier for the specification sheet of the exact grade they quote.
Expect identity (HPLC fingerprint), ginsenosides (HPLC), pesticide residues, heavy metals and microbiology, each with its method, specification and result for that lot.
Keep dried root and powder sealed, cool and dry to prevent mold and insect damage. Extracts are hygroscopic, so reseal opened containers. Shelf life or retest date comes from the supplier.
The EU Novel Food status Catalogue (entry POL-NF-00568) concerns the plant Panax quinquefolius and lists it as not novel in food.
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