Ginseng even by its name, conveys its fabled curative and restorative properties. It is Panax Quinquefolium - Panax comes from the word "all healing" and ginseng from the Chinese words " Sheng Seng" roughly translated meaning "man root," because many of the roots that are most prized for curative powers resemble human figures. The use of ginseng in China goes back more than 5,000 years. It became so popular that the crop growing wild was soon over harvested. Ginseng was by no means unknown in North America. It had been used by the Native Indians for many years. To the Indians it was both medicine & magic. Ginseng has at least 28 active ingredients called ginsenosides. Each similar in construction but may have different physiological effects.