Ginseng has the magical effects of calming the nerves, increasing intelligence, regulating qi and nourishing blood, invigorating spleen and lung, nourishing and strengthening. It has always been called "Shencao" and known as "the king of traditional Chinese medicine".

Ginseng is so magical because it contains saponins, saccharides, ginseng acid, steroid (zāi) alkyd, amino acids, vitamins, volatile oil and dried rhubarb (dòng). These substances play an important role in enhancing the vitality of brain nerve center, heart and blood vessels, stimulating secretion function and accelerating metabolism.

Ginseng is a perennial herb of Solanaceae. The stem is about 40-50 cm high, with palmately compound leaves, ovate leaflets, small yellow-green flowers, flat fruit like beans and red when it matures in autumn. The taproot is fat, fleshy, yellow and white, like a villain, commonly known as "ginseng doll", and its roots and leaves can be used as medicine.

Ginseng is divided into wild and artificial cultivation. Wild ginseng grows on the hillside with low temperature, long light and fertile soil. Ginseng produced in Changbai Mountain area in Northeast China is the most famous. Wild ginseng grows slowly and is difficult to collect. At present, ginseng has been brought into the homes of ordinary people by artificial cultivation in China.