Korean red ginseng has been globally recognized as one of the most superior herbal medicines since ancient times. This is the natural result of medicinal benefits that have been derived through the wide use of Korean ginseng by people all over the world for thousands of years.
The History of Korean Red Ginseng
Korean red ginseng was first discovered in 500 AD during Korea’s first Three Kingdoms.
According to historical records, ginseng was produced all across the Korean peninsula and noted two types of ginseng: Sanjeong ginseng which was grown naturally in the mountains, and Sanyang ginseng which was planted in the mountains and was harvested after a few years.
As people started consuming raw or white ginseng for medicinal purposes they would have certain side-effects, so they steamed the ginseng causing it to extract more medicinal properties with fewer side-effects. The hot infusion would turn the ginseng into a red color hence differentiating the herb as red ginseng. During the Three Kingdoms era, the medicinal efficacies of ginseng became widely known and demand for red ginseng increased rapidly and spread throughout Asia.
Saponins, Korean Red Ginseng’s Unique Element
Saponins (also called ginsenosides) are one of the most valuable phytochemicals in plants that are effective in promoting good health and are contained in large quantities in the ginseng (Panax) family. Specifically, Korean ginseng has the most abundant types of saponins and in terms of composition ratios. It contains various saponins, evenly distributed, incomparable to other species of Panax genus plants.
The Korea Food and Drug Administration officially recognizes five health functions of the red ginseng such as improved immune system, fatigue relief, improved blood circulation, improved memory, and antioxidation properties.
The Benefits of Consuming Korean Red Ginseng
Korean ginseng is effective in almost all areas of the human body and mind, including its energizing and health-tonic effect, the treatment and cure of diabetic symptoms, soothing of the body and mind, improvement of brain vitality, the treatment, and cure of digestive and respiratory disorders, and revitalizing of the circulatory organs.
Rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties, red ginseng increases energy levels and improves brain function like memory and a person’s mood. Furthermore, it boosts immunity invigorating the body, strengthening the lung and spleen, and relieving tension on the heart.
For men, it’s known to improve their erectile dysfunction and protects oxidative stress in blood vessels and tissues. Consuming red ginseng also improves skin cells especially for people with eczema.
The Difference Between American Ginseng and Korean Ginseng
Korean ginseng contains 38 gisenosides and American ginseng has 19 ginsenosides. Thus, the kinds of ginsenosides in American ginseng are less than those in Korean ginseng. In particular, American ginseng contains less Panax-atrial-type ginsenosides which have anti-fatigue, anti-stress benefits, improve memory and learning functions, protect tonic function, and defend against radioactivity, than Korean ginseng.
In terms of medicinal efficacies, it is considered that Korean ginseng with more variety of ginsenosides has strong and diverse physiological activities. American ginseng is only effective in improving neurological, respiratory, and blood-related diseases.
Processing Korean Red Ginseng
Processing ginseng by steaming and drying is a manufacturing method that enables ginseng to be stored longer and increase its medicinal efficacies. Red ginseng is manufactured with six-year-old fresh ginseng harvested from September to November when ginseng’s active ingredients reach its peak. Fresh ginseng is washed and steamed for a period of time, and then either sun-dried or artificially dried to reduce the water content to 15 % or less under strict sanitary control.
Not only does red ginseng contain many valuable substances like proteins, amino acids, vitamins, and fatty acids, ginseng saponins (ginsenosides) have the highest medicinal value strengthening the body’s resistance to disease through effects on the immune system. The rich history and continuous research on Korean red ginseng have made it known as one of the most effective ancient herbal medicines in the world.
