Ginseng

David A. Taylor has written Ginseng, the Divine Root: The Curious History of the Plant That Captivated the World which uncovers the epic tale of ginseng, an herb prized for centuries by Chinese emperors, Native American healers, herbalists and smugglers.

Collected by Daniel Boone, ginseng was one of America's first major exports to the Far East. Today the herb is found in everything from traditional medicines to New Age power drinks. Yet wild ginseng has become a victim of its own popularity, and is under threat.

David Taylor explores revealing connections between people and their worlds. His articles have appeared in a wide range of publications, including Smithsonian, The Washington Post, The Village Voice, Outside, Christian Science Monitor and The Atlantic Unbound. He has written award-winning documentaries for PBS, National Geographic, the Discovery Channel and others.

Read his blog on ginseng.