Ginseng Health Benefits

What is Ginseng?

Ginseng root is a nutritious herb that has been used for centuries as an energy tonic as well as to treat a variety of health problems. Scientists believe that Ginseng helps the brain produce more endorphins that help to balance the physical and emotional stress hormones secreted from the adrenal glands.

What are the Benefits of Ginseng?

Ginseng has been used to treat a variety of health problems, such as:

• Reducing mental stress and anxiety
• Increasing mental clarity and alertness
• Stimulating the immune and nervous system
• Treating diabetes
• Preventing the growth of certain types of cancer cells
• Lowering cholesterol levels
• Improving digestion
• Reducing fatigue
• Improving athletic endurance

Some clinical studies have also shown that, in males, Ginseng may facilitate penile erection, and increase testosterone levels and sperm production.

Uses of Ginseng

Ginseng for Improving Cognitive Performance

Take one 100-200mg capsule of Ginseng in the morning three times a week. You will then gradually begin to notice improved mental performance.

Herbal Remedy to Lower Cholesterol

Ginseng is a wonderful cure for high cholesterol levels:

• Take one capsule of Ginseng or a cup of Ginseng tea once every two days.
• To make Ginseng tea simply pour boiling water over 3 to 5 thin slices of Ginseng and let steep for 5 minutes.
• To make tea from Ginseng extract, mix one cup of extract with one cup of boiling water.
• To make tea from Ginseng powder, dissolve 1 teaspoon in one cup of boiling water.

Reduce Physical and Mental Stress Using Ginseng

Ginseng helps improve energy levels, vitality, alertness, and mental clarity, while relieving or eliminating fatigue, mood swings, stress, and even PMS (premenstrual syndrome) in women. Simply take one capsule of Ginseng or a cup of Ginseng tea three times a week if you are feeling down or doing strenuous work. If you are an athlete, you can cycle usage by taking it every day for three weeks and then taking one week off.

Natural Cure for Cancer Using Ginseng

Ginseng contains substances called ginsenosides, chemical compounds believed to have potent properties to prevent cancer. Take one capsule of Ginseng at least five days a week for two months, followed by three weeks off, then resume this cycle. If you have been diagnosed with cancer, it is important to consult your doctor before you start consuming ginseng regularly.

What are the Side Effects of Ginseng?

Taking 100-400mg of Ginseng each day for two to three weeks and then resuming its consumption after a one week gap is considered safe. However, it is always best to follow the dosage instruction on your particular package.

While ginseng is a non-toxic herb, excessive and prolonged use of Ginseng can cause insomnia and hypertension. Therefore, using it continuously for periods longer than three months is not recommended. Instead, it is best to cycle the use of ginseng. For example, take ginseng daily for two or three weeks and then take at least one week off.

If you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition, consult your physician prior to using Ginseng. If you are taking warfarin, heparin, aspirin, diuretics or are being treated for high blood pressure or any cardiovascular disease, do not take Ginseng because it can conflict with your medication. Do not combine Ginseng with any other herbs or nutrients that are known to increase alertness.

Where and How to Buy Ginseng

Ginseng is sold as a whole dried root or as an extract in capsules, powders, or teas at herbal stores. If you are buying in natural root form, choose a firm Ginseng with no soft spots or discolorations. There is also the option of buying it pre-cut in thin slices. It is safe to buy a ginseng product that has a standardized extract of 3 to 7 percent ginsenosides.

Why is 6-Years-Grown Korean Red Ginseng so Wonderful?

Why do advanced-nation East Asians -- notably, South Koreans and Japanese -- live so much longer than the average American and Canadian? Is it that the US is involved in so many wars that life-expectancy is lowered? That's not right. The relatively peaceful Canadian average lifespan is virtually equal to that in the US. Our North American industries tend to be far cleaner with less industrial manufacturing, as well, so it isn't likely environmental. It's probably not stress. East Asians tend to work much longer hours with less over-all play time and more social obligations. So what is it this mysterious factor that adds 5-10% to East Asian lifespans, while Americans and Canadians drag behind?

You can probably already imagine that the answer is most likely found in our food cultures. While there is much to say for being more socially knit, it isn't as if North Americans lack friends or family. Rather, take a look at the average weight of the typical Texan and take a look at the typical Korean and difference is stark. Not everything bigger is better, even in Texas (sorry, Texas; the rest of us aren't far much better, either)! printing hearts on the boxes of carb-loaded foods. Is cereal really going to cut your chances of a heart-attack?

While most North Americans have caught on to the fact that a diet rich in fish, dark greens, limited red meat and whole grains, all quenched by herbal teas (rather than soft-drinks or hormone-infused industrial milk), with the occasional weekly treat, can dramatically change one's energy levels and life health. This can be described as a typical Asian diet. But few people have taken the time to learn about how do East Asians supplement this lifestyle?

In the West, we focus heavily on Vitamin C and Vitamin D almost to the point of nonsense (these chemicalized, artificial vitamins are now found in most of our foods), and we've made little progress other than printing hearts on the boxes of carb-loaded foods. Is cereal really going to cut your chances of a heart-attack? The evidence says not likely. So what do South Koreans and the Japanese consider to be their number one supplement? The answer is an old "Asian secret," called Korean ginseng (known as Cheong-Kwan-Jang). I put "secret" in quotes, because It isn't really a secret at all. Korean ginseng has been traded as a health food, powdered, extracted, boiled, and stewed into every manner of health food, medicine and even energy drink for over 2,000 years now!

Natural herbalists know that ginseng tends to be good for you -- but how do you pick the best? Although ginseng has existed and been consumed in both the East and, later, the West for over 2,000 years, this healthy natural herb still has a lot of mystery surrounding it. "Ginseng" tends to be a catch-all word for several species of woody, nutritious roots that supplement the immune system.

Ginseng has been consumed throughout Asia since as long as civilized medicine has existed and for good reason. Modern research shows that the active components of ginseng, called ginsenosides and saponines interact with the human immune system in a favorable way with regard to a variety of health conditions, which is why large numbers Western notables of yore (such as Queen Elizabeth II, Western philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau, and French President Mitterrand have used the extracted root for their personal health (and publicly have promoted its high efficacy).

While the choices may be confusing, ginseng comes in only a few varieties (namely, Korean, Asian, American, and Chinese). Korean ginseng is considered the most powerful variety for its significantly longer growing periods (Korea being the natural growing ground of ginseng, as where it evolved to take best advantage of seasonal growth periods), as well as the local cared for soil and quality control, under local regulation and regulated supervision.
 

 
Put another way -- even the Japanese get their Asian ginseng from Korea and Korean ginseng has been used as gifts to regional kings and even emperors for as long as the root has been grown. The fact that Cheong-Kwan-Jang Korean ginseng is guaranteed to be grown for an astounding 6 years (the ideal growing period, representing a tremendous investment), yielding roots saturated in approximately 40 times the healthy component content of lesser grown roots, Cheong-Kwan-Jang Korean ginseng is nearly universally regarded as the best (and most valued per ounce).


There are cheaper alternatives. Ginseng extracts and powdered products from from other places, like China and Hong Kong are often counterfeited with questionable fillers, grown in very questionable earth. And American ginseng, while having good earth standards, has only half the variety of healthy components (called ginsenosides and health saponins), and is typically industrialized for mass production of very young roots, lacking health-promoting qualities (being generally used as a added-value ingredient for marketing purposes in cheaper products like energy drinks, rather than produced for maximal health). By contrast, Cheong-Kwan-Jang Korean ginseng is grown to be medical grade quality (taken as such in Japan), and as the Korean ginseng industry is strictly regulated in South Korea, a first-world nation, the old adage, "you get what you pay for," may come into play. The most famous Korean ginseng company is, not surprisingly, named Korea Ginseng Corporation, and they hold about an 80% market share with numerous awards for excellence, abiding by global health standards, and having been devolved from the Korean government. Their Cheong-Kwan-Jang Korean ginseng have the probably the world's highest standards for the root, extracted, powdered, made into tea, or otherwise.

The Benefits of Red Panax Ginseng Extract

Heart Tonic

Red panax ginseng's antioxidant properties benefit patients with heart disorders by decreasing the oxidation of LDL chloresterol. This type of ginseng exhibits a similar protective effect on brain tissue. According to MedlinePlus, studies did not show that ginseng prevents these problems.

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Psychological Improvements

According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, ginseng's positive effects on mental function could include better cognition and memory, improved speed of recall, and improved accuracy during tasks requiring mental attention. Some participants in studies showed improved reaction times and better abstract thinking.

Controlling Blood Sugar

Panax ginseng's ability to lower blood sugar levels demonstrated benefits for some diabetics. Ginseng didn't reduce blood sugar to dangerously low levels in scientific studies, but MedlinePlus advises diabetics to consult with a physician before using the herb.

Athletic Enhancement

Athletes commonly use red panax ginseng to enhance physical strength and endurance. Scientific studies show no direct correlation of ginseng consumption to increased athletic ability, but other factors may contribute. Ginseng's stimulant quality enhances the effect of caffeine. Other positive effects of regular ginseng consumption could benefit athletic performance indirectly.

Erectile Dysfunction

Chinese herbal medicines frequently include red panax ginseng in treatments for sexual disorders such as erectile dysfunction. Some scientific studies uphold these traditional treatments, showing positive effects on erections, desire and overall sexual satisfaction. In a study using laboratory animals at the Southern Illinois University School of Medicine in 2002, researchers noted improvements in libido and performance. Chinese medicine considers red panax ginseng to be more yang, or male, in effect than American white ginseng--a yin tonic.

Immune System Enhancement

Red panax ginseng's tonic effects include the strengthening of the immune system, according to MedlinePlus. Studies showed that in patients suffering from chronic bronchitis, antibiotics were more effective when patients also took ginseng. Ginseng also enhanced the effect of flu vaccines.

Cancer Chemotherapy

Some studies show that panax ginseng use lowers the risk of cancer in patients over 40 years old. During chemotherapy, cancer patients receiving ginseng injections rather than oral doses saw improvements in body weight and in quality of life.

Cultivation and Processing of Korean Red Ginseng

Having our origins in the government and being spun-off to guard the thousands of years old tradition of Korean ginseng, Korea Ginseng Corp places our highest priority on safety and setting the standards for superior quality control. Each root is cared for and monitored for 6 years of its cultivation and growth in pre-approved and carefully graded farms. Our farms operate on contract after extensive testing of the soil, ensuring that fresh land is used under the most natural conditions.

Upon harvest, Korean ginseng is sorted into grades through a three stage process: appearance screening, tissue inspection, and weight.
In appearance screening, trimmed Korean ginseng is sorted into Heaven, Earth and Good grades according to standards such as color, cracking and form. In tissue inspection, the ginseng roots are tested rigorously and passed through intense light in order to inspect even the internal construction of the root. Finally, the roots are sorted according to weight for a total of 9 grades possible. Only the world's best ginseng roots will find their way into KGC products.

The actual physical processing of Korean ginseng roots and the production of final products occurs in our state-of-the-art facilities, including the world's largest ginseng factory. Combining traditional methods with fully modernized good manufacturing practices, we operate the under strict quality control systems necessary to produce the world's best Korean red ginseng. Ginseng that is not used for our processed products will be compressed, dried and placed in a wooden box carefully lined with Hanji (a delicate, traditional Korean paper wrapping). The wooden box itself is wrapped in paper, packed in a plastic film, vacuum-sealed and preserved naturally in a traditional tin canister, which is then sold in the Asian markets as a specialty artisan food product. Due to the high reputation of KGC, these canisters can fetch prices in the hundreds or even thousands of dollars, depending on the roots internal qualities as labeled, and without disturbance and stored in a cool place, they remain fresh and perfectly safe to eat for 10 years or more, due to KGC's best practices in quality control.

Cultivation Process

1. Selection and management of a ginseng cultivation site

An ideal topography of a ginseng cultivation site is a wide-open area, facing north or northeast, without any objects blocking the wind, with good drainage. Its soil should have a clear division between the topsoil and the deep soil layers, and the richer the humus, the better it is for ginseng growing.

2. Picking the seeds and opening their skin

Pick seeds from a four-year-old ginseng in mid-July, when its fruits have a strong, red color. Sow the seeds after their strong and hard skin have opened.

3. Sowing

Sow the seeds between late October and early November.

4. Transplanting

Around middle to late April, two years after sowing, dig ginseng sprouts from the seedbed and transplant them to the main field.

5. Growing process

a. One-year-old ginseng

Three small leaves are formed in a stipe, and the main root and lateral root are formed.

b. Two-year-old ginseng

Five small leaves are formed in each of two stipes. The lateral root is newly formed in the original main root after it is naturalized into ginseng plant on field.

c. Three-year-old ginseng

Five small leaves are formed in three stipes. The flower begins to blossom, the root becomes large, and the root shape is fixed.

d. Four-year-old ginseng

Five small leaves are formed in four stipes, and the root becomes larger.

e. Five-year-old ginseng

Five small leaves are formed in five stipes, and the root becomes larger.

f. Six-year-old ginseng

Five small leaves are formed in six stipes, and the whole human-like figure of ginseng is formed. Ginseng's phytochemicals, which are healthful to the human body, are maximized in the six-year-old root; thus, the highest-grade red ginseng is manufactured with ginseng having been harvested in its sixth year of growth.

6. Harvesting ginseng

The harvest of ginseng is performed in the fall, around September or October, when its roots are four to six years old. An ideal harvest is made in the sixth year.

Ginseng Varieties by Processing Method

Red ginseng is steam-cured and dried to ensure storage for a long-term. The steaming process increases the number of healthy active components by stimulating biochemical changes of in the root's composition.

Red Ginseng

White Ginseng

Taegeuk Ginseng

Fresh Ginseng

 

Unpeeled fresh ginseng is streamed and dried

10 years under room temperature with vacuum packing

Either peeled otr unpeeled fresh ginseng is dried under the sun or with hot air

3 years under room temperature with vacuum packing

Fresh ginseng is soaked in hot water and then dried

10 years under room temperature with vacuum packing

Freshly harvested ginseng from the field (raw material)

2 weeks without sun-drying (depending on storage conditions)

 

Ginseng Varieties by Processing Method

1. Ginseng Cleaning

2. Fresh ginseng is steamed to make red ginseng.

3. Steamed ginseng is dried naturally in the sun.

4. The roots are trimmed and cut so only the plump bodies remain.

Each root is inspected for quality.

6. screening of tissue.

7. Screening of weight.

8. Moistening and compaction.

9. box packing.

10. Can packing.

 

Korean Ginseng

Home >> Korean Ginseng

About 6-Years-Grown Korean Red Ginseng

Korean ginseng is a plant, the root of which has been taken as a health food for over 2,000 years around the world. Long before Korean ginseng was well-known to the Western general public, people from aristocratic and scientific classes knew about, wrote about, and showed their love for ginseng, regarding it as a natural medicine and calling it the "treasure from the Orient."

Some notable figures, who have openly endorsed the use of Korean ginseng to support natural health, include King Louis XIV (the "Sun King") and passionate philosopher, Jean-Jacques Rousseau.
Both enjoyed and appreciated the health effects of ginseng. Pope Paul II loved ginseng so much that he made it popular around the Vatican. Russian novelist, Maxim Gorky, used ginseng while recovering from a smoking-related disease and French president Mitterrand claimed that ginseng helped extend his life while living with a terminal cancer. Even the British rock band, the Scorpions, came to Korea and purchased ginseng to support their active lifestyle, while one of the world's top models, Naomi Campbell, has shared that one of her secret's for body care is using Korean ginseng extract.

 

The World's Best Ginseng Must Be Cultivated in Korea

As a delicate root, the growing environment is important for ginseng to produce healthy components, called ginseng saponins.

Since Korea is the naturally evolved growing environment of ginseng, Korea's geographical latitude, 4 distinct seasons, and the very specific soil conditions on the Pacific peninsula of Korea allow Korean ginseng to produce more than twice the variety of these healthy components.

Although there are other species of ginseng, such as American ginseng, Japanese ginseng, or Siberian ginseng, and while cousins of Korean ginseng exist, including Chinese and Asian Panax ginseng, these varieties naturally produce either less than half the variety of healthy saponins as Korean ginseng (by species), or only half the total quantity of healthy saponins (by growing period).

Korean ginseng is grown in the ideal climate for ginseng cultivation, the peninsula of Korea, under strict quality controls. For these reasons, it is praised as the highest quality ginseng in the world, in terms of efficacy and, both, quantity and variety of active components.

 

The Global Popularity of Korean Ginseng

Korean ginseng is so popular, because it offers a unique set of natural health benefits, which other herbs cannot match. Known as the "King of Herbs" in the natural health foods community, Korean ginseng helps to:

Furthermore, long considered an Aphrodisiac, Korean ginseng specifically helps bodily stamina and blood flow, and is often found in natural medicines for men and women, usually combined with other helpful ingredients.

Traditionally, high-quality red ginseng had been presented to kings and traded as a precious item embodying a wish for long life and good health. As Korea's most symbolic health food, Korean red ginseng is given to state guests and VIPs as a national gift. Korean red ginseng has gained recognition through global media such as Le Monde, a major French newspaper, for its good health effects. Le Monde reported about how Francois Mitterrand took Korean Ginseng regularly. When Elizabeth II paid a state visit to South Korea, Korean red Ginseng was presented to her as a special gift. And at the Seoul G20 Summit, in 2010, Korean red ginseng was chosen as a sponsored gift for global leaders, once again illustrating the appeal of Korean red ginseng's efficacy to the world.

Ginseng Varieties Classified by Country of Cultivation

Korean red ginseng is known as the 'King of Herbs' and can be sharply contrasted with other inferior ginseng species. While Korean ginseng boasts more than 30 varieties of healthy plant saponins (and ginsenosides found only in Korean ginseng), the roots nearest relatives offer less than half the natural variety. The richness and wealth of natural components in this superior root are maximized when grown for six years.

 

There are very few certified growers of genuine 6-years-grown Korean red ginseng. Most ginseng is mass-manufactured on farms outside of ideal growing conditions for much shorter periods of times, using lesser species of ginseng processed with less care