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Asian ginseng (Panax ginseng ) has been used in China for many thousands of years as an all-purpose health tonic. Chinese herbalists say it can energize the body, aid in digestion, and improve muscle tone. Ginseng also has a reputation as an aphrodisiac, perhaps because the root looks like a little man with tiny arms and legs splitting off the main trunk. There's also an American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius ), but ironically, it's relatively rare in the U.S., since it's mostly exported to China, where it's even more prized than the Asian variety.
Some human research suggests that Asian ginseng may help improve thinking and memory. And, it might also help flu vaccines work better. However, more research is needed to confirm these findings. Asian ginseng did not improve athletic performance in several human studies. And, it had no effect on well-being or mood of adults in another study.
Ginseng contains more than a dozen unique chemicals collectively called ginsenosides. Some of them are stimulants that have an effect similar to caffeine, and some of them seem to have a depressant effect. Chinese herbalists say you may have to take ginseng continuously for six years before noticing any benefits, but European health authorities caution against using it for more than 3 months.
