All about Korean Ginseng

Korean Ginseng tree

Korean Ginseng root


All about Korean Ginseng, you likely already know the
anti-coagulant, energy boost, virility, and anti-inflammatory benefits
of this herb. You also likely know that there are several versions of
"Korean" ginseng available. So how can you be sure you are
purchasing authentic Korean Panax ginseng?

Korean Ginseng
Scientific Name: Panax Ginseng
Other Names: Asian Ginseng, Chinese Ginseng, Ginseng, Panax, Guigai, Japanese Ginseng, Ninjin, Oriental Ginseng, Panax schinseng, Red Ginseng, Seng

Panax ginseng is different from American ginseng and Eleuthero (formerly called Siberian ginseng). They are not interchangeable.



Ginsengs are best known as "adaptogens", which are substances that may help individuals cope with physical and emotional stress. As a part of traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years, Panax ginseng has been used to treat almost every possible ailment from anxiety to cancer. Currently, it is used extensively in Oriental countries as an everyday tonic to maintain overall health as well as to treat several illnesses, including heart conditions.

Korean Ginseng Facts
Korean Ginseng, or Panax Ginseng, is a brown, gnarled root about the size of a little finger, that resembles the shape of the human body. It is sometimes referred to as a "manroot" or "root of man." Korean Ginseng grows primarily in China and is also known as Chinese Ginseng. It has been used there for over 5.000 years and is considered the strongest form of ginseng. Korean Ginseng is used in China as a preventative tonic to stimulate the entire body to overcome stress, fatigue and weakness. It helps the body to adapt to stress and to regenerate and rebuild the sexual centers.

How Korean Ginseng Works
Korean Ginseng contains thirteen different ginsenosides. Panaxans help to lower blood sugar, polysaccharides work to enhance the immune system and its antioxidant properties are immune-stimulating to protect the body from illness, disease and stress. Korean Ginseng helps to stimulate production of immune cells called "killer T-cells" that destroy viruses and bacteria. It balances the release of stress hormones by supporting the organs that produce them (the hypothalamus and the pituitary and adrenal glands). Korean Ginseng helps produce endorphins to make people feel good. Its sexual benefits work to improve erectile function and to increase testosterone and sperm count.

Possible Benefits

Physical restorative and preventative tonic for health and illness prevention
Healthy for heart and good circulation
Normalizes blood pressure
Reduces cholesterol
Lowers blood sugar
Helps to prevent arteriosclerosis
Improves vision and hearing activity
Improves working ability and energizes physically and mentally
Checks irritability, stress and is good for depression
Sexual stimulant, enhances sexual desire and improves impotency and low sperm count
Improves athletic performance and increases endurance and stamina
Helps with the discomforts of menopause
May inhibit tumor growth, good cancer preventative effects

Usage Korean Ginseng Guidelines
People who are pregnant or taking MAO inhibitor drugs should not use this herb. Korean Ginseng is very stimulating so it should be taken early in the day. High dosages could make some jittery. Check with your doctor before taking if you have high blood pressure. In rare cases, postmenopausal women may experience vaginal bleeding due to its mildly estrogenic effect. If this happens, let your doctor know you are taking Korean Ginseng so this won't be mistaken for a sign of uterine cancer.