Ginseng differences

Types, Colors & Ingredients

Not all ginseng is the same. A distinction is made between industrially grown ginseng and wild forest ginseng. Furthermore, the origin and processing of ginseng is essential. Basically, five different species of the plant are cultivated. Only from this industrially produced ginseng are skin care products manufactured which are offered in the jars and tubes of perfumeries.

1. korean ginseng

The most effective species is Korean ginseng. The medicinal plant grows mainly in Korea, but is also cultivated in China, Siberia and Germany. It is a 30 to 60 centimeter tall grass with broad round leaves and small red drupes. The roots are the real treasure chest. It is from them that most of the ginseng preparations known to us are made.

2. american ginseng

Panax Quinquefolius, although derived from the Korean mother plant, has much fewer healing ingredients. The loss of characteristic active ingredients can be explained by the unfamiliar environmental conditions. While Korean ginseng contains 30 ginsenosides, the American offspring has only about half of them. Another reason could be that the medicinal herb is harvested much too early. The plant must first be ten years old. Only at this age is the concentration of valuable ingredients sufficient for the herb to be used effectively as a medicinal plant. The harvesting of unripe ginseng is punishable by law in the USA and Canada.

3. chinese ginseng

The Chinese plant has the same mother plant as its American brother. It also has much less healing agents than Panax ginseng. It is mainly used to treat bleeding and anemia. Its ability to heal wounds relatively quickly was discovered by Viet Cong soldiers during the Vietnam War. They always carried it with them to treat wounds.

4. japanese ginseng

Japonicus is a species of ginseng native to Japan. This medicinal plant has been cultivated in Japan since the Japanese occupation of South Korea. As a result, the original species has evolved into a special species. The Japanese plant has only two ginsenosides, but the concentration of these is twice as high in the Japonicus. This means that the Japanese variety can be used more selectively.

5. siberian ginseng

Although the Siberian plant is not a true ginseng, this herb is also believed to have healing properties. But how does Siberian ginseng really work? According to studies, it is very effective against stress. It strengthens the stress tolerance of the body and mind and helps get rid of physical exhaustion and weakness. The Siberian species also helps to strengthen the body's defenses.

Is there a difference between white, red and black ginseng?

In trade, only red and white ginseng, from industrial cultivation, respectively products from it are offered. However, the quality of red or white ginseng depends less on its color than on its quality or grade. The ginseng needs a lot of time to form its healing agents. White, red and black ginseng are not, as is often assumed, products of different plants. Rather, they come from the same plant, whose roots have only been preserved or treated in different ways. In accordance with legal regulations, in the past only ginseng roots that had matured for at least six years were allowed to be processed into red ginseng. For some years now, this legal protection has been lifted and younger, i.e. less nutritious roots can now also be processed and sold.

How does white ginseng become red ginseng and black ginseng, respectively?
To become red or black ginseng, the roots undergo an additional treatment. After the white roots are harvested, sorted by size and cleaned, they are exposed to hot steam. This turns the roots reddish and their surface becomes firm and glassy.
y In the case of black GINZAI forest ginseng, the G-Hiexponential process is used, as already described under "Processing of Forest Ginseng" (insert link). White ginseng, on the other hand, is dried immediately after harvest and then offered as dry root or in powdered form. In the case of imported products from China, the processing of white ginseng usually takes place in the third or fourth year of growth, and this has an impact on the quality and efficacy of the products. In addition, in these countries the white ginseng is often additionally peeled and the outer layer, which is rich in active ingredients, is removed in order to look more "appealing".