Probably the most famous plant in Chinese traditional medicine, Panax ginseng is consumed by itself, as a culinary ingredient, and as ingredient to many traditional drugs. It was first described 2000 years ago in the Materia Medica. It is commonly called Asian Ginseng, Chinese Ginseng and Korean Ginseng and can be found in China, Korea, Japan, Russia and North America. The value of ginseng has been maintained at a high level throughout its history. It has long been believed to be effective in curing disease and acting as a general cardiac tonic because of the root shape can resemble a human form. It is said to stimulate the pituitary gland, promote chemical and metabolic balance.

Panax notoginseng is known by many common names including San Qi. Panax notoginseng is the main ingredient in a traditional herbal powder called Yunnan Baiyao which is said to have been used by Chinese soldiers for centuries. It is supposed to counteract bleeding by promoting rapid cell division, and to improve blood circulation, to disperse blood clots and to stop inflammation and swelling. Additionally, it is said to expel pus and counteract poison. Chinese soldiers considered the medicine worth its weight in gold.

In Chinese folk medicine, P. vera is used to treat abdominal ailments, abscesses, amenorrhea, bruises, chest ailments, circulation, dysentery, rheumatism, sclerosis of the liver and sores from trauma.