3 Plants with more or less with the same benefits but growing in diferent countries.

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), also known as Indian ginseng, is an herb used in Ayurveda, the traditional medicine of India. Its root has a horsey smell and is said to confer the strength and virility of a horse. In Sanskrit, ashva means “horse” and gandha means “smell.” Various parts of the plant are used, but the most common supplemental form is an extract of its roots. Its use as part of the Ayurvedic system usually involves more than just the herb alone.

Ashwagandha is classified as an adaptogen, meaning it’s purported to enhance the body’s resilience to stress. Rodent and cell culture studies suggest that ashwagandha may provide a wide range of health benefits,[9][10] but evidence in human studies has thus far varied depending on the health state and population of interest.

Panax ginseng (Korean ginseng) is an herbaceous plant used in traditional Chinese medicine for a wide variety of preventative purposes. It belongs to the Araliaceae family and is the most widely used species within the Panax genus for medicinal purposes. The roots of the plant, typically harvested in early autumn from mature specimens aged at least 4 years, are the primary source of bioactive compounds and are usually the parts used in supplements.

While there are 13 identified species of ginseng, the two most prevalent in supplements and the food industry are Panax ginseng, grown in China and Korea, and Panax quinquefolius (American ginseng), grown in regions of the United States and Canada. Panax ginseng supplements are often used to enhance mood, cognition, and immune function. Ginseng is also used as an ingredient in food and edible products (e.g., chewing gums, candies, and coffee).

It is essential to distinguish genuine Panax ginseng from other herbal products marketed under the name of ginseng. Notably, Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus, also known as eleuthero), Brazilian ginseng (Pfaffia paniculata), and Indian ginseng (ashwagandha) are among the commercially available alternatives that do not originate from the Panax genus. Although they carry similar names, they do not contain the same bioactive compounds, and therefore they have completely different mechanisms of action and effects.

“Maca” is the common name for two species of cruciferous vegetable in the Brassicaceae family: Lepidium meyenii (wild maca) and Lepidium peruvianum (cultivated maca). In the literature, and according to large regulatory bodies, these maca species are considered synonymous and interchangeable. However, some scientists posit that these are truly different maca types with dissimilar morphology, chemical content, and DNA. The roots of the plants can be red, black, pink, or yellow. As a supplement, maca root is usually sold in the form of dried powder, which is often mixed into smoothies and other beverages.