Korean ginseng is Panax ginseng, a plant originating from the Far East. Its most recognizable raw material is a branched root, the shape of which is sometimes compared to a human figure. It has a long history in East Asian culture and herbalism, and over time it also became a valued agricultural and export commodity.
Root species and treatment
The terms white and red ginseng refer to the method of preparation of the root, not always to a different species. Processing can change the profile of the material, which is why the name Panax ginseng itself does not complete the description of the raw material. For comparison, the part of the plant, the method of preparation and the declaration of the extract are also useful. The popularity of red root in tradition is not a factor in the strength of any capsule.
Meaning and application
The terms "white" and "red" ginseng refer primarily to the method of preparation of the root, rather than to two separate species. A characteristic group of its compounds are ginsenosides. Information about their content may appear next to the amount of extract on the label. Panax ginseng should not be confused with Siberian or American ginseng: the former belongs to a different genus, the latter is a separate species. The exact botanical name preserves these differences.
In practice
Ginsenosides are a group of compounds, not one substance always present in the same proportion. Extracts may differ in their profile, extraction method and material used. White and red ginseng illustrate the importance of processing: changing the preparation of the root can affect the nature of the raw material. This is not a simple division into two species. When comparing labels, it is worth reading both the weight of the extract and the percentage of standardization. Information about Korean origin alone does not replace this data. Also, the ancient cultural value of the root is not a measure of the properties of each modern capsule. The clearest description combines the species, part of the plant, form of the extract and amount in the recommended serving.