Ren Shen (Ginseng), Shan Shen (Mountain Ginseng), Ye Shan Shen (Wild Mountain Ginseng), Lin Xia Shen (Forest Ginseng)
Hong Shen (Red Ginseng), Gao Li Shen (Korean Ginseng), Xi Yang Shen (American Ginseng), Hua Qi Shen (Flower Flag Ginseng)
What types of ginseng are there?
What is included in the ginseng family?
How is it classified?
Yuan Shen (Garden Ginseng)
Why is it important to know the classification of ginseng?If we do not understand what types of ginseng exist, our usage of ginseng will be imprecise—whether in purchasing, consuming, applying, or academic research, inaccuracies may arise.This inaccuracy can manifest in various ways: some medical institutions and the target population may not be familiar with the types of modern ginseng, leading to confusion about which type to use. A healthcare provider might say, “Go buy some ginseng to eat,” but as an uninformed consumer, one might wonder: which ginseng? Gao Li Shen, Xi Yang Shen, or another type? How many years of ginseng? This can lead to awkward situations. In summary, knowing the classification of ginseng is quite necessary.
Lin Xia Shen (Forest Ginseng)
Classification of Ginseng WorldwideThere are many types of ginseng, and we can classify them by region to understand what exists in the ginseng family globally.Ginseng is a general term; from a global perspective, ginseng can be found in China, Korea, North Korea, the United States, and Russia. China is the ancestral home of ginseng, historically known for wild ginseng transplantation and seed cultivation. Currently, various types of ginseng exist. In Korea, only garden ginseng is cultivated on flat land, specifically categorized into fresh Gao Li Shen, sun-dried Gao Li Shen, and red Gao Li Shen. The United States and Canada only have Hua Qi Shen (American Ginseng). North Korea and Russia have both cultivated and wild ginseng. This article will not cover ginseng from these countries outside of China, focusing instead on the classification of Chinese ginseng, as it encompasses all types of ginseng worldwide—such as Gao Li Shen from Korea and Yuan Shen from China, or Hong Shen from Korea and Red Ginseng from China, and so on.
Global Distribution of Ginseng
Classification of Ginseng Worldwide
Classification of Ginseng in ChinaIn terms of major categories, Chinese ginseng can be divided into Yuan Shen (Garden Ginseng), Xi Yang Shen (American Ginseng), Lin Xia Shen (Forest Ginseng), Yi Shan Shen (Transplanted Mountain Ginseng), and Chun Ye Shan Shen (Pure Wild Mountain Ginseng).This article primarily introduces the classification of ginseng, detailing each major category of Chinese ginseng, focusing only on the types of ginseng.In the following classification of ginseng, only common types will be explained; others will be briefly mentioned, and a more detailed article can be provided later.
Classification of Chinese Ginseng1. Yuan Shen (Garden Ginseng)
Chinese garden ginseng can be categorized into various types due to intervention methods and cultivation environment factors.
It is divided into Yuan Lin Shen (Forest Ginseng), Ping Di Yuan Shen (Flatland Garden Ginseng), and Yuan Pa Shen (Garden Pa Ginseng)
Yuan Lin Shen—is cultivated in natural forests or artificial second-growth forests, involving logging, soil cultivation, and the establishment of beds with shade and rain shelters, along with manual weeding and other management practices. Due to strict national forest resource management, this type of cultivation has been prohibited in recent years. If cultivated according to the 5-6 year standard for garden ginseng, this Yuan Lin Shen is considered the best quality.
Ping Di Yuan Shen—as the name suggests, is grown on flat land, in fields previously cultivated with crops, and after soil improvement, ginseng is planted. The difference between Ping Di Yuan Shen and Yuan Lin Shen lies in the cultivation environment; Yuan Lin Shen is grown in natural mountain forests, while Ping Di Yuan Shen is grown in artificially improved environments. The cultivation bases of Ping Di Yuan Shen are similar to those of Gao Li Shen and Hua Qi Shen, with the only difference being the country and management methods.
Yuan Pa Shen—is selected from 2-3 year old Yuan Shen seedlings, choosing those with good morphology, long necks, primarily in a Y-shape, and transplanting them into new beds for artificial management until they are harvested. This type of ginseng undergoes significant intervention management, with multiple replanting and shaping processes during growth.
2. Chun Ye Shan Shen (Pure Wild Mountain Ginseng)
Refers to ginseng that has always been naturally distributed, bred, and grown in forest environments.
We call this Chun Ye Shan Shen, Pure Mountain Ginseng, or Pure Goods.
Wild ginseng from Changbai Mountain can be harvested very rarely each year, like finding a needle in a haystack.
It does not exceed 50 plants, and among them, those with good appearance and age are even rarer.
Chun Ye Shan Shen (Pure Wild Mountain Ginseng)
3. Lin Xia Shen (Forest Ginseng)
The purpose of Lin Xia Shen is to address and fill the gap of endangered wild mountain ginseng.
It is cultivated in suitable natural environments for wild mountain ginseng—hybrid broadleaf forests—where ginseng seeds are artificially sown to fully simulate the growth environment of wild ginseng.
Lin Xia Shen grows without any intervention, and according to national standards, it is classified as wild mountain ginseng after 15 years.
Lin Xia Shen (Forest Ginseng)
4. Yi Shan Shen (Transplanted Mountain Ginseng)
The concept of Yi Shan Shen refers to wild mountain ginseng that has been artificially transplanted.
When wild mountain ginseng is discovered and harvested, if it is young and buried in its original location or in another natural forest environment, allowing it to continue growing naturally, it is called Yi Shan Shen.
It is also known as “Shan Pa”.
Yi Shan Shen (Transplanted Mountain Ginseng)
5. Cultivated Xi Yang Shen (American Ginseng)
Xi Yang Shen originates from southern Canada and northern United States.
In 1975, several batches of seeds were introduced from the United States to cultivate Xi Yang Shen in China.
Although it belongs to the same family and is a precious tonic, it has many differences in efficacy and function.
Ren Shen is classified as a Qi-tonifying herb (Yang tonic), while Xi Yang Shen is classified as a Yin-tonifying herb (Yin tonic).
Here, we will briefly introduce the category of Xi Yang Shen.
Due to the Yin nature of Xi Yang Shen and the inherently cold constitution of the Chinese people, its suitability for Chinese individuals varies from person to person.
Xi Yang Shen (American Ginseng)
Final Thoughts:
The purpose of this article is to share the types of ginseng.
Using simple and understandable language to help everyone recognize ginseng.
Ginseng is not mysterious.
It can become a part of our lives.
I hope everyone can learn about ginseng through Dayou Ginseng Garden.
And seek a better life through ginseng…
Image references: Zcool Hailuo (infringement will be deleted) and some actual photos.
Content references: Zhihu, Zhibu Baizhen, Complete Guide to Ginseng Types.
Wishing you abundant wealth, and may your health shine bright.
↓↓↓