What is Panax ginseng?
Meet the plant behind Asian ginseng and learn how its botanical name, growing place and product form help you read a label.
Start with the botanical name
Panax ginseng is the botanical name associated with Asian ginseng, also commonly called Chinese or Korean ginseng. It is a perennial herb. American ginseng carries the name Panax quinquefolius. Reading the scientific name gives you a precise starting point when comparing products sold under the broad name ginseng.
Look above and below the soil
Our forest photographs show the plant in leaf and in fruit, alongside the roots that are usually seen in a shop. A root has a main body and branching rootlets. Looking at the whole plant helps connect the dried ingredient with the landscape where it grows. The root is the part most commonly used in ginseng products.
Read the product in three steps
Check the species name, then the stated growing origin, then the form supplied. Whole roots, slices and powder describe different presentations. White ginseng and red ginseng describe processing traditions. A useful product description makes the species, processing method, net quantity and packaging easy to find.