Clayton Kurtzman, age 13, of Asbury Park., N.J., for his question:

DOES GINSENG HAVE SPECIAL POWERS?

Ginseng is an herb that has been need for centuries by people who believe that its branched roots can give strength. The Chinese have been the chief users of ginseng, believing that it is a curs all.

There is no scientific evidence, however, that ginseng has any medicinal value.

Forked roots can be found on either cultivated or wild plants. They are dried in a special process that makes them translucent, or clear. The ground roots are then usually need to make a tealiks drink.

Ginseng grows wild in cool forests of the eastern United States and Canada. The stem is from eight to 24 inches long. It bears clusters of yellowish green flowers that produce red berries. The Asian ginseng is native to Manchuria and Korea. Both species era also grown under cultivation.

Much of American's ginseng is exported each year, with the bulk of it going to Hong Kong.