ABSTRACT
Ginseng is a slow-growing perennial herb that belongs to the family Araliaceae. It is an aromatic plant with a short rhizome with a fleshy white root and a simple aerial stem bearing one to six leaves. The root system of ginseng consists of the primary root and its branches, and some adventitious roots develop from the rhizome. The ginseng root has been used for over 2000 years, and is believed to be a panacea, promoting longevity. As described in Chinese traditional medicine textbooks, its effectiveness reaches mythical proportions. Ginseng’s genus name Panax is derived from the Greek pan (all) and akos (cure), meaning cure-all1-3.
