How real is your Ginseng?

How real is your Ginseng?

Ginseng is a herb that has been used for thousands of years across the world and is thought to help human wellbeing in a myriad of ways, from boosting energy, lowering blood sugar and cholesterol levels to reducing stress, and promoting relaxation. It has also been seen to treat diabetes, and can also help to manage sexual dysfunction in men. [1] There are two main types of ginseng: Panax ginseng also known as Asian or Korean ginseng and Panax quinquefolius is also known as American ginseng. The most widely used is the Panax ginseng due to its stronger effects and higher levels of ginsenosides. 

Ginseng is characterised due to the presence of Ginsenosides, the bioactive compounds found in the plant. They are responsible for the health benefits long associated with the ginseng root. It has been documented that these ginsenosides may be present as a defence mechanism for the Ginseng plant itself. So while they can help the ginseng plant survive, treatment of various cultured cells in labs by ginsenosides has revealed their multiple bioactivities, including neuroprotection, antioxidation, angiogenesis modulation and cytotoxicity. [2] These are the processes that lead to the overall health benefits associated with this powerful nutraceutical ingredient.

Whilst Ginseng is a fairly available ingredient in today’s market, some suppliers are adulterating the material with another product called Gynostemma Pentaphylla which is also known as Jiaogulan. This is a herbaceous climbing vine found in East and South Asia. This herb is related to ginseng but does not have the same long observed effects that pure ginseng displays. By cutting the ginseng with the Jiaogulan they are making the products a lot cheaper to manufacture and then can offer attractive lower pricing. Our products are tested regularly by our technical team using HPTLC and analysed accordingly. The below image is an example of a recently passed report. As a result, we at Nutraceuticals Group have full confidence in our manufacturing sites and that our Ginseng products are 100% Ginseng and have not been near any cheaper and less effective herbs such as Jiaogulan.

L-R 1.NIGEHER017430 Korean Ginseng Extract 10:1 (Panax ginseng) V.1 2.NIGEHER017998 Korean Ginseng Root Extract 4-7% Ginsenosides 4:1 Water Soluble (Panax ginseng) 3.NIGEHER017404 Korean Ginseng Root Powder (Panax ginseng) V.1 4.NIGEHER017991 Korean Ginseng Extract 80% Ginsenosides (Panax ginseng) 5.NIGEHER017971 Korean Ginseng Extract 20% Ginsenosides (Panax ginseng) 6.NIGEHER017440 Korean Ginseng Extract 35:1 (Panax ginseng)  7.NIGEHER017430 Korean Ginseng Extract 10:1 (Panax ginseng) V.2 8.NIGEHER017404 Korean Ginseng Root Powder (Panax ginseng) V.2 9.NIGEHER017440 Korean Ginseng Extract 35:1 (Panax ginseng)  10.NIGEHER017431 Korean Ginseng Extract 10:1 20% Ginsenosides (Panax ginseng)

1. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/262982#_noHeaderPrefixedContent
2. Leung KW, Wong AS. Pharmacology of ginsenosides: a literature review. Chin Med. 2010 Jun 11;5:20. doi: 10.1186/1749-8546-5-20. PMID: 20537195; PMCID: PMC2893180.

Please contact us to find more information about our quality ginseng products.