American Ginseng

Panax quinquefolius

Ecology & Conservation

Proximity Score: 0
Native Status: ✅ Outaouais ✅ Ottawa ✅ QC ✅ ON
Closest Direction: Local
CEC Eco-Regions: 5 – Northern Forests, 5.2 – Mixed Wood Shield, 5.2.3 – Algonquin/Southern Laurentians
Rarity Notes: Listed as Endangered under SARA Schedule 1 since June 2003, with COSEWIC status Endangered. Ranked G3 globally (NatureServe), S2 in both Ontario and Quebec, and N2 nationally in Canada. Populations have declined severely due to overcollection of the medicinal root and habitat destruction. Harvest from the wild is illegal in most jurisdictions.
S26+S22+S10
Rarity Ranks: QC S2 – Imperiled, ON S2 – Imperiled
Migration: Stable
Ecological Context: A shade-obligate understory herb of rich mesic deciduous forests, American ginseng occurs in mature sugar maple-beech-hemlock stands on slopes and ravines with deep humus soils. In the Outaouais, herbarium specimens confirm its presence in sugar maple forests with bitternut hickory and butternut at the Eardley Escarpment in Gatineau Park. The species requires undisturbed, high-quality woodland with closed canopy.
S10+S48+S7

Roles: Fortress/Barrier
S73/S29/S72 Evidence: Fortress/Barrier: S61 keyword match: thorns? (supporting signal only)]

Category: Adaptogen, Analgesic, Anticonvulsive, Antiemetic, Antirheumatic, Blood Medicine, Cardiotonic, Demulcent, Dermatological Aid, Diaphoretic, Expectorant, Febrifuge, Gastrointestinal Aid, Hemostat, Panacea, Pulmonary Aid, Sedative, Sialagogue, Stimulant, Stomachic, Tonic
S28+S29 Moerman 54 Drug/Medicine uses across Cherokee, Creek, Delaware, Houma, Iroquois nations; PFAF medicinal rating 3/5
Notes: One of the most extensively documented medicinal plants in North America, with 54 recorded Drug and Medicine uses across Cherokee, Creek, Delaware, Houma, and Iroquois nations. The root is the primary medicinal part, used as adaptogen, tonic, and stimulant. Cherokee used it for headache, convulsions, and as expectorant; Iroquois for blood remedy, earaches, and digestive complaints; Creek for fevers and bleeding wounds. Considered similar to Asian P. ginseng but with milder action. Contains ginsenosides as primary active compounds. Large doses may raise blood pressure.
S28+S29

❌ Not Edible

Foraging Notes: The aromatic root can be made into a tea or candied and used as a masticatory. PFAF rates edibility 1 out of 5. Moerman lists no Food category uses; the root is valued primarily for medicinal rather than culinary purposes.
S29+S28