American ginseng belongs to the ivy family and is native to North America and Canada. Also known as Panax ginseng quinquefolius, it is the closest relative of Korean Panax ginseng and shares many of the same compounds.
American ginseng contains a large number of triterpene saponins known as ginsenosides. The number of hydroxyl groups bound to each ginsenoside determine which additional suffix it is assigned, for example Rg1, Rb1, Rb2 or Rd. Traditionally, the plant is used for strengthening yin.