In traditional Chinese medicine ginseng has been known for its strengthening power for many centuries. Ginseng was (and still is) very precious and was for some periods of time even more valuable than gold.
It also has a spindle-shaped, slender root which resembles the human body. Ginseng is known as “len seng” in Mandarin, which means “root of man”, because of the unusual morphology of the root.
Source: Harding, Harding A.R [2010] “Ginseng and Other Medicinal Plants”