Jingyu American Ginseng

Jingyu American Ginseng

Jingyu American Ginseng is a product with geographical indication status.

　　American ginseng, also known as Panax quinquefolius, is a valuable tonic herb with unique medicinal properties. It has a cool nature and bitter taste, and is known to nourish lung yin, clear deficiency fire, promote body fluids, and relieve thirst. It is commonly used to treat chronic cough due to lung deficiency, blood loss-induced dry throat, thirst, and deficiency heat with fatigue. Due to its mild therapeutic effects, it is quite popular among patients. American ginseng is native to the southeastern regions of Canada and the eastern parts of the United States. Since its successful introduction in China in 1980, its cultivation has developed rapidly. After nearly 20 years of growth, Baishan City has become the main production area of American ginseng in the country. Jingyu County has been officially designated by the state as China’s “Hometown of American Ginseng” and “Seed Source Base.” (Baishan)

　　Geographical Scope

　　Jingyu County is located in the southeast of Jilin Province, at the western foot of the Changbai Mountains and along the upper reaches of the Songhua River. Its geographical coordinates are longitude 126°30′00″ to 127°16′00″ and latitude 42°06′00″ to 42°48′00″, with an average elevation of 775 meters. The county seat sits at an elevation of 549.2 meters. The protected production area for American ginseng spans eight townships in Jingyu County: Chisong Township, Mengjiang Township, Sandaohu Town, Huayuankou Town, Longquan Town, Nahong Town, Jingshan Town, and Jingyu Town. The planting area for American ginseng is 1.5 million square meters, with a total yield of 9,000 tons.

　　Product Quality Characteristics

　　(1) External Sensory Features: Jingyu American ginseng is spindle-shaped, cylindrical, or conical, measuring 3–12 cm in length and 0.8–2 cm in diameter. The surface is light yellowish-brown or yellowish-white, featuring transverse annular striations, linear skin pores, fine shallow longitudinal wrinkles, and rootlet marks. The rhizome scars (Luwan) are distinct and semi-circular. The roots are heavy, solid, not easily broken, with a flat cross-section of light yellowish-white color and slight powdery texture. (2) Physicochemical Indicators: The rhizomes of Jingyu American ginseng contain saponins, mainly ginsenosides (Panaquilon), as well as volatile oils and resins. The content of ginsenosides Rg1, Rb1, and RE is ≥2.0%, total ash ≤5.0%, moisture ≤13%. Hydrolysis primarily yields panaxadiol, along with panaxatriol and oleanolic acid. (3) Safety Requirements: Air quality: must comply with the standards set by GB3095-82 Ambient Air Quality Standards. Irrigation water quality: must meet the criteria outlined in GB5084-92 Standards for Irrigation Water Quality. Soil standards: must adhere to GB15618-1995 Soil Quality Standards. Product standards: follow the 2005 edition of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia.