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Ginseng has enjoyed a long history of use in medicine. Both Asian ginseng and American ginseng are orally consumed for the treatment of a variety of ailments. A plant that bears no flowers, it’s value is in the roots which are used as aphrodisiacs, nourishing stimulants, adaptogens, for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, and also to treat male sexual dysfunction. The root is usually used in dried form, and it will be served whole or sliced. The ginseng leaf is not quite as highly prized.

Ginseng has also become a popular ingredient in energy drinks and in teas. The ginseng in these drinks is in too low a dosage to have medicinal effects however. The root of the ginseng plant contains the highest quantity of Ginsenosides, the active compounds in which all the medicinal value is derived. Many manufacturers of ginseng knowingly or unknowingly use ginseng leaves instead of using the roots, which means there is a much lower dosafe of ginsenosides. Those herbal companies who follow Good Manufacturing Practices will regularly test the potency, quality, and species authentication of herbs through cross-sectional examination under a microscope.