This word first appears in English in a 1654 translation of Bellum Tartaricum, an account of the Tartar invasion of China. Ginseng is described as a plant “much esteemed by the Chinese”. The name derives from the Chinese rénshēn, combining the words for “man” and “plant root” (the forked shape of the root is thought to resemble a pair of human legs).
Despite having no FDA approval, ginseng is widely used in the United States. It is believed to be effective as an aphrodisiac, a treatment for diabetes, a stimulant and a cure for erectile dysfunction. It is also used as a herbal remedy for fatigue, stress and influenza. Elite athletes have sometimes taken ginseng as a health aid, but it can be a double edged sword. At the 1988 Olympics British sprinter Linford Christie came close to disqualification and disgrace when he failed a drug test. He claimed this was due to drinking large quantities of ginseng tea, was given the benefit of the doubt and went on to win 100 metres gold four years later.
80,000 tons of ginseng is farmed each year, almost all of it from four countries; South Korea, China, Canada and the United States. Wisconsin has been the American production champion for over a century, accounting for 95% of total national output.
