ginseng

(jin′seng″ )

[Chinese rén-shēn, man-image (fr. the shape of the root)]

1. An aromatic herb of various species of Panax, esp. P. ginseng.
2. An herbal remedy used as a stimulant, a tonic, an immune booster, and for sexual potency. Scientific studies supporting these indications are limited.
SEE: Panax
Ginseng boosts the anticoagulant effects of warfarin and may contribute to bleeding in patients who take this drug.

American ginseng

A species of ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) used in alternative medicine as an adaptogen, aphrodisiac, stimulant, for the treatment of type II diabetes and for sexual dysfunction in men,

Asian ginseng

SEE: Panax ginseng.

Chinese ginseng

SEE: Panax ginseng.

Japanese ginseng

A Japanese species of ginseng (Panax japonicus) purported to have similar effects as American ginseng.

Korean ginseng

SEE: Panax ginseng.

Russian ginseng

SEE: Siberian ginseng.

Siberian ginseng

A species of small, woody shrubs (Eleutherococcus senticosus) native to northeastern Asia, used as an adaptogen in traditional Chinese and alternative medicine.
SYN: SEE: Russian ginseng