American Ginseng
Panax quinquefolius

We have our very own species of ginseng here in America -- Its Latin name is Panax quinquefolius and it was first discovered by a French explorer in 1704. Word quickly spread among early scouts and trappers; by the 1740s, American Ginseng was the colonies' most valuable export. Native Americans began using this ginseng to fight fatigue, aid digestion and stimulate appetite. The Chinese decided our ginseng was worth having because of its "cold" property, a useful complement to the "hot" quality of the Oriental Ginseng. American Ginseng is now widely cultivated in China. It is also still gathered in the Appalachians here in the U.S.