American ginseng

American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) is an herb native to eastern North America. Its aromatic root is highly valued in traditional medicine, particularly in Asian cultures where it is believed to have a cooling effect, contrasting with Asian ginseng's warming properties.1

The plant is a perennial herb with sturdy taproots, typically dying back in the fall and regrowing in the spring. Ginseng roots have a sweet, aromatic flavor and have long been considered a panacea in Chinese medicine, often used preventatively. Its effects are thought to be normalizing, improving mental performance, learning, memory, and sensory awareness by influencing the brain's adrenocorticotropic hormone activity.2

Due to extensive harvesting for its medicinal qualities, wild American ginseng is now a protected species. Most cultivated American ginseng roots are dried and exported to Hong Kong for distribution throughout Southeast Asia.12