Ginseng, << JIHN sehng, >> is a perennial herb of eastern Asia and eastern North America. It is a low plant with three to five leaves on top. Each leaf has five leaflets. Ginseng has a long, fleshy root whose shape somewhat resembles that of a human body. The plant’s name comes from Chinese words meaning likeness of a man.
The ginseng root is used as a medicine in a number of countries. However, its medical value has not been proven. Manufacturers may add ginseng to such products as hair tonics, shampoos, skin creams, and soft drinks. The root is dried, sold whole, and then ground into a powder or processed into tablets.
Wild ginseng has almost disappeared, and the plant is grown chiefly in China, Korea, and the United States. Most American ginseng is exported to China.
