What Plants Have Ginsenosides? Exploring Panax Species and More

December 29, 2025 •

2 min read

Over 150 naturally occurring ginsenosides have been isolated from various parts of ginseng plants, primarily the roots. While the Panax genus is the most famous source, these potent triterpene saponins are also found in other species, challenging the long-held assumption that they are exclusive to ginseng. This exploration delves into the diverse botanical sources of ginsenosides, highlighting key plants and the specific ginsenoside profiles they offer.

Quick Summary

This article examines the primary and secondary plant sources of ginsenosides, focusing on the various Panax species and notable non-ginseng plants. It compares the ginsenoside content across different plant parts and discusses how cultivation and processing methods influence the final composition.

Key Points

Panax Genus is Primary Source: The most well-known sources of ginsenosides are species within the Panax genus, such as Korean ginseng (Panax ginseng) and American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius).
Ginsenosides in Other Plants: Ginsenosides are not exclusive to ginseng; plants like jiaogulan (Gynostemma pentaphyllum) and Kalopanax pictus also contain these compounds or structurally similar saponins.
Varying Profiles by Species: Different Panax species have distinct ginsenoside profiles. For instance, American ginseng contains F11, which is negligible in Asian ginseng.
Differences Across Plant Parts: The concentration of ginsenosides varies significantly within a single plant. The leaves and berries of ginseng often contain higher total ginsenoside levels than the roots.
Processing Impacts Content: Preparation methods, such as steaming ginseng to create red ginseng, can alter the ginsenoside composition by converting more polar compounds into less-polar, potentially more bioactive forms.
Ecological Role: In plants, ginsenosides serve a protective function against biotic stresses like pathogens, insects, and competition from other plants.

The Panax Genus: The Quintessential Source of Ginsenosides

The Panax genus is the most recognized source of ginsenosides, with different species and even parts of the same plant offering varied ginsenoside profiles.

Panax Ginseng (Asian or Korean Ginseng)

Panax ginseng is a cornerstone of traditional Asian medicine.

Roots: Traditionally valued for its high concentration of ginsenosides like Rb1, Rb2, Rc, Re, Rg1, and Rd. Content varies with age and processing into white or red ginseng.
Leaves and Berries: These parts can have higher total ginsenoside concentrations than roots, with ginsenoside Re being particularly abundant in berries.

Panax Quinquefolius (American Ginseng)

American ginseng is native to North America and has a distinct ginsenoside profile compared to Panax ginseng, including significant amounts of ginsenoside F11. Ginsenosides are present in its roots, leaves, and stems.

Panax Notoginseng (Sanchi Ginseng)

Used in traditional Chinese medicine, Sanchi ginseng contains ginsenosides similar to other Panax species.

Non-Panax Plants Containing Ginsenosides

Ginsenosides have been found in plants outside the Panax genus, offering alternative sources.

Jiaogulan (Gynostemma pentaphyllum)

Also known as the "herb of immortality," jiaogulan contains gypenosides, many of which are chemically identical to ginsenosides. This plant from the gourd family (Cucurbitaceae) is seen as a sustainable alternative to ginseng.

Kalopanax pictus (Prickly Castor Oil Tree)

This tree in the Araliaceae family contains ginsenoside Rb1, with bark and leaves being potential sources.

Comparison of Ginsenoside-Containing Plants


Feature	Panax Ginseng	Panax Quinquefolius	Jiaogulan (Gynostemma)	Kalopanax pictus
Family	Araliaceae	Araliaceae	Cucurbitaceae	Araliaceae
Key Part	Root, leaves, berries	Root, leaves, stems	Leaves	Bark, leaves
Common Ginsenosides	Rb1, Re, Rg1, Rc, Rd	Rb1, F11, Re, Rg1, Rd	Rb1, Rd (chemically identical gypenosides)	Rb1
Cultivation	Often cultivated for several years	Also cultivated, native to North America	Easier to cultivate, grows faster	Tree, bark can be harvested
Availability	Widely available as supplements	Widely available as supplements	Available as supplements and tea	Less common source of supplements

Factors Affecting Ginsenoside Content

Species, age, plant part, environmental conditions, and processing methods all influence ginsenoside content. For example, steaming ginseng to produce red ginseng can alter the ginsenoside composition, potentially increasing the concentration of less-polar ginsenosides.

Conclusion

While the Panax genus is the primary source, plants like jiaogulan and Kalopanax pictus also provide ginsenosides or similar compounds. The concentration and type of ginsenosides vary significantly by plant species, plant part, and external factors. This offers diverse options for sourcing these compounds beyond traditional ginseng roots. {Link: Researchgate https://www.researchgate.net/publication/234110230_Ginsenoside_Content_in_The_Leaves_and_Roots_of_Panax_ginseng_at_Different_Ages}.

For more on the pharmacological aspects, the {Link: NIH https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK92776/} website is a valuable resource.

Frequently Asked Questions

The primary plant genus containing ginsenosides is Panax, which includes Asian ginseng (Panax ginseng), American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius), and Sanchi ginseng (Panax notoginseng).

No, ginsenosides are not found exclusively in ginseng. Other plants, most notably jiaogulan (Gynostemma pentaphyllum), also contain these compounds or very similar saponins.

Studies have shown that the leaves and berries of ginseng can have higher concentrations of total ginsenosides than the more commonly used root, especially in younger plants.

American ginseng and Korean ginseng share many ginsenosides, but their overall profiles are distinct. For example, ginsenoside F11 is more prominent in American ginseng, while Rf is more common in Korean ginseng.

Processing methods like steaming can significantly alter the ginsenoside profile. The process of making red ginseng involves heat that converts certain ginsenosides into less-polar forms, which may have different pharmacological effects.

Besides jiaogulan, the prickly castor oil tree (Kalopanax pictus) has also been identified as containing ginsenoside Rb1.

In plants, ginsenosides function as a defense mechanism. They help protect the plant from biotic stresses such as pathogens, insects, and competing plants.