ginseng

noun gin·seng \ ˈjin-ˌseŋ , -ˌsiŋ \

Updated on: 21 Apr 2018

Definition of ginseng

1 a : a Chinese perennial herb (Panax ginseng synonym P. schinseng of the family Araliaceae, the ginseng family) having five leaflets on each leaf, scarlet berries, and an aromatic root used in herbal medicine especially in eastern Asia

b : any of several plants related to ginseng; especially : a North American herb (P. quinquefolius)

2 : the root of a ginseng

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Recent Examples of ginseng from the Web

Its flavors are then intricately layered with cardamom, ginseng, goji berries, Chinese dates, angelica root, ginger, and chilies.

— craig laban, Philly.com, "Warming up to Chinese hot pot at Little Sheep," 5 Apr. 2018
It's infused with brightening ingredients, like vitamin C and ginseng, which help fade dark spots and slough away dullness.

— devon abelman, Allure, "This Makeup Artist Swears a Drugstore Serum Made His Acne-Prone Skin Glow," 22 Feb. 2018
The goods include fresh and dried fruit, nuts, wine, ginseng, and steel pipes.

— natasha bach, Fortune, "China Strikes Back in U.S. Trade War: The 128 Products It Wants to Tariff and Why," 23 Mar. 2018
Adaptogens for immune health: Reishi and ginseng have been found in some small studies to boost immunity.

— jamie ducharme, Time, "What Are Adaptogens and Why Are People Taking Them?," 28 Feb. 2018
Adaptogens for acute stress and anxiety: Some research suggests that Siberian ginseng (also known as eleutherococcus senticosus), rhodiola and schisandra may help mediate fight-or-flight stress responses.

— jamie ducharme, Time, "What Are Adaptogens and Why Are People Taking Them?," 28 Feb. 2018
The 16th-century kings of Korea’s Chosun Kingdom barred common people from entering the area because of its abundance of wild ginseng plants, whose roots have long been prized for supposed healing powers.

— Washington Post, "After Olympics, South Korea mulls reviving bulldozed forest," 1 Mar. 2018
Adaptogens for long-term stress: Powell recommends ashwagandha and Asian ginseng to soothe long-term sources of stress and the hormone imbalances that may result from it.

— jamie ducharme, Time, "What Are Adaptogens and Why Are People Taking Them?," 28 Feb. 2018
The red neon, flickering candles and dark wood at Ba Hao evoke a sultry den from 1930s Shanghai — complete with Opium (a Negroni variant with ginseng, herbal liquor and tiny chrysanthemum bulbs).

— New York Times, "36 Hours in Bangkok," 15 Feb. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'ginseng.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Illustration of ginseng

Origin and Etymology of ginseng

Chinese (Beijing) rénshēn

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1654

in the meaning defined at sense 2

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GINSENG Defined for English Language Learners

ginseng

noun

Definition of ginseng for English Language Learners

: a Chinese herb that is used as a medicine

Medical Dictionary

ginseng

noun gin·seng \ ˈjin-ˌseŋ , -ˌsaŋ , -(ˌ)siŋ \

medical Definition of ginseng

1 a : a Chinese perennial herb (Panax ginseng synonym P. schinseng of the family Araliaceae, the ginseng family) having 5-foliolate leaves, scarlet berries, and an aromatic root valued especially locally as a medicine

b : any of several plants (especially genus Panax) related to or used as substitutes for the Chinese ginseng; especially : a North American woodland herb (P. quinquefolius)

2 : the aromatic root of a ginseng that is used in herbal medicine especially in eastern Asia