Ginseng

ginseng Panax ginseng and other species, more a medicine than a food, grown extensively in Korea, N. China, and Japan. Its white branching roots, which sometimes resemble the trunk of a man, have to grow for five years before they are marketable, which makes it an expensive commodity. However, its reputation as an invigorating agent is such that very high prices are willingly paid for ginseng of the best quality, in various forms including a powder. Ginseng tea is drunk both for invigoration and as a pleasant beverage.