인삼, 수삼, 백삼, 홍삼 — 도대체 뭐가 다른거예요? 약사가 알려드립니다

[Yakkal's 3-Line Summary💊]

Red ginseng is made by steaming and drying 6-year-old ginseng roots. During this process, the components are transformed into a form that's easier for your body to absorb.

The benefits of red ginseng recognized by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety are improved blood circulation, enhanced immunity, and fatigue recovery. Research results also show antioxidant and anti-cancer effects.

The key ingredient is saponin, specifically 'ginsenosides' found only in ginseng.

Hello, I'm Happy from Yakkal!

My mother would always buy red ginseng extract during exam periods.

When she would scoop a spoonful of that thick formulation and put it in my mouth.
As the slightly bitter taste went down my throat, mysteriously, my tired body would gradually perk up.

I still don't know if it was actually effective or if her sincerity became the medicine.

우리에게 친숙한 건강식품, 홍삼 영양제에 대해 약사가 알려드려요

During holidays, we're familiar with the sight of giving and receiving red ginseng gift sets, right? It's that much of a familiar health food to us.

But when someone actually asks, 'What is red ginseng?', it's hard to give a clear answer.

Today, I'd like to talk about that.

1. Red Ginseng? Ginseng? What's the Difference?

You might think red ginseng and ginseng are similar.

In fact, both start from the same root. However, the name changes depending on how it's processed.

Depending on the processing method, ginseng is divided into ➔ fresh ginseng, white ginseng, and red ginseng .

Fresh ginseng is ginseng just as it was harvested from the field. Since only the soil has been removed and it's been washed, it has high moisture content.

White ginseng is fresh ginseng that has been dried to reduce moisture content to 14% or less.

Red ginseng is a bit different. Ginseng that has grown for 6 years goes through a process of being steamed with hot steam and then dried.

While steaming and drying, the ginseng's color gradually turns reddish. The name 'red ginseng' comes from here.

인삼은 가공 방식에 따라 수삼, 백삼, 홍삼으로 나뉘게 됩니다

However, only the color doesn't change. Something more important happens during the steaming process. The components in ginseng are transformed into a form that our body can more easily accept.

It's similar to grinding hard nuts finely and turning them into butter. It's the same ingredient, but the way the body absorbs it changes.

By the way, when choosing red ginseng, you shouldn't just look at the phrase '6-year-old,' but should also check the grade and form.

What's the difference between concentrates and extracts, and what are cultivated and wild ginseng...

👉 [If you read the red ginseng product checklist before purchasing once, you'll have an easier time at the store shelf before buying]!

2. What is Red Ginseng Good For?

The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety organizes the benefits of red ginseng into three categories.

Improved Blood Circulation: It prevents blood platelets from clumping, helping, blood flow smoothly through blood vessels. It's like maintaining blood vessels so they don't narrow .
Enhanced Immunity: It activates the cells that defend our body more actively. In simple terms, your body's security guards become more diligent .
Fatigue Recovery: Inside cells, there are small factories that produce energy. Red ginseng helps your body's energy factories run more efficiently .

Beyond these,, several studies show research results that red ginseng's polysaccharide components have antioxidant and anti-cancer effects.

Looking at it this way, I'm beginning to understand why I felt energized when eating red ginseng during my exam days ☺️

여러 논문에서는 홍삼의 다당체 성분이 항산화:항암 작용을 한다는 연구 결과도 있어요

3. What Components Does Red Ginseng Contain?

'When we say 'red ginseng,' there's a word that comes to mind. That's saponin.

Saponin is a compound with sugar attached to a specific structure.

However, because this 'structure' differs from plant to plant,, there are many different types of saponins.

Here,, saponins found in red ginsengare specifically called ginsenosides.

This means saponins found only in ginseng.

Ginsenosides are further divided into Rh2, Rg2, Rg3 several types like Rh2, Rg2, and Rg3 depending on their structure.

진세노사이드도 구조에 따라 Rh2, Rg2, Rg3 등 여러 종류로 나뉩니다

To summarize, the relationship is like this:.

Saponin â Ginsenoside â Rh2, Rg2, Rg3…

Just like 'human â Korean â Seoulite,' it gets progressively more specific!

Particularly, Rh2, Rg3 these same components are barely found in regular ginseng, but, 'newly develop during the process of making 'red ginseng.'.

It's the result of unstable compounds being transformed by heat.

Precisely these ginsenosides are known to create the various benefits of red ginseng.

특히 Rh2, Rg3 같은 성분들은 인삼에서는 거의 발견되지 않고, '홍삼'을 만드는 과정에서 새롭게 생겨납니다

But is a product good just because it has high ginsenoside content? Actually, it's not that simple.

You need to also consider the quality of the raw material, additives, and the brand's research capability.

👉 What criteria a pharmacist uses when evaluating red ginseng products,, [I've organized in this article]so please refer to it!

In Closing

Let me summarize.

Red ginseng is made by steaming and drying ginseng roots that have grown for 6 years. It's not just about drying; during the process, the components transform to suit your body.

The benefits of red ginseng recognized by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety are improved blood circulation, enhanced immunity, and fatigue recovery. In addition to this, there are also research results on antioxidant and anti-cancer effects.

The key ingredient is saponin,, and specifically ginsenosides found only in ginseng.

However, red ginseng doesn't work equally well for everyone.

People may react differently depending on their constitution, and though rare, some may experience discomforts like headaches or insomnia.

If you're taking blood pressure medication or anticoagulants,it's a good idea to consult with a professional before taking red ginseng!

👉 Especially if you have diabetes or are taking other medications,, [read this article]as well.

식약처가 인정한 홍삼의 효능은 혈행 개선, 면역력 증진, 피로 회복이에요

I hope you now understand a little better the feelings in that spoonful of red ginseng supplement my mother used to give me,

and the components and benefits contained within it 😊

This was Happy from Yakkal!