Ginseng

Ginseng is probably the most famous chinese herb. It has been used in Asia for more than 5,000 years. In China, ginseng has been treasured since the dawn of written history. In the Qing Dynasty of ancient China, ginseng was prized more than gold.
Ginseng is available in literally thousands of tonic formulations and it is featuring the most of the traditional preventative herbal remedies. Many people seeking to improve energy and vitality use ginseng daily.
Ginseng requires about six years to mature, but it is difficult and expensive to grow. Its value is found in its stained root which contains a complex mixture of carbohydrate compounds, nitrogenous compounds, fat-soluble compounds, vitamins and minerals. The curative powers of ginseng are unique in the way they affect the whole body. Ginseng has also been recognized as a potent immune system tonic by modern researchers.
There are several types of ginseng available: Asian ginseng, also called panax ginseng, American ginseng, Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus), and Japanese ginseng (Panax japonicum). Panax ginseng, which is grown especially in Korea, China and Japan, is the most widely used. American ginseng grows commonly in wooded areas from Quebec to Minnesota and south to Georgia and Oklahoma. Siberian ginseng grows in forests of Russia, China, Korea, and Japan.
Only Asian and American ginseng are known for their exceptional curative properties. These two species of ginseng look very similar and have also similar chemical compositions. These days, North American Ginseng is cultivated in British Colombia, Ontario, and Wisconsin, and is a valuable export. North American ginseng is often considered the most valuable and beneficial.