American ginseng

noun

: a ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) native to eastern North America having an aromatic root used in herbal medicine

In Asian culture it's believed that Asian ginseng has a heating effect of yang, while American ginseng has a cooling effect of yin.

—Walter Nicholls, Washington Post, 16 June 2004

Wild American ginseng root is prized in Asia for its medicinal qualities, and so much of it has been harvested over the past three centuries that the plant, Panax quinquefolius, is now a protected species.

—Henry Fountain, New York Times, 15 Feb. 2005

Word History

First Known Use

1898, in the meaning defined above

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

• More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
• Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
• Advanced search features
• Ad free!