Ginseng

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈdʒɪnsɛŋ/, /ˈdʒɪnsɪŋ/

Alternative forms

• jinseng, jin-seng obsolete

Origin

From Mandarin .

Full definition of ginseng

Noun

1. Any of several plants, of the genus Panax, having forked roots supposed to have medicinal properties.
2. The root of such a plant, or an extract of these roots.
• 1855, Sir Richard Burton, Personal Narrative of a Pilgrimage to Al-Madinah & Meccah, Dover 1964, p. 56-7:When the Afghan princes find it necessary to employ Chob-Chini, (the Jin-seng, or China root so celebrated as a purifier, tonic, and aphrodisiac) they choose the spring season.
• 2013-03, David S. Senchina, Athletics and Herbal Supplements, Athletes' use of herbal supplements has skyrocketed in the past two decades. At the top of the list of popular herbs are echinacea and ginseng, whereas garlic, St. John's wort, soybean, ephedra and others are also surging in popularity or have been historically prevalent.