The difference between American Ginseng and Korean Ginseng

There are many types of ginseng and many similarities in appearance, so many times people are confused.

Different places of origin

Western ginseng originates from Canada and the United States, because the United States was also called the United States of America, so Western ginseng is also called American ginseng; while Korean ginseng refers to the red ginseng produced in the Korean peninsula; North Korea was called Koryo, which causes Korean ginseng.

Different medicinal properties

American ginseng is cool in nature, sweet in taste and slightly bitter, and has the function of nourishing yin, clearing heat, moistening the lungs, quenching thirst, and refreshing and anti-fatigue. Koryo ginseng is warm in nature and is a hot herbal medicine, a great tonic for qi and blood, and has the effect of nourishing and strengthening, nourishing the vital energy and nourishing the mind.

Different shapes

Western ginseng: the main root is round or fusiform, with light yellow or yellow-white surface, oily color, delicate skin, full and firm texture, clean section, showing clear chrysanthemum texture, sweet and bitter taste of ginseng slices, transparent throat, all hairless; short rhizome, cylindrical stem, about 25cm long, with longitudinal stripes, or slightly angular. Ginseng: long columnar, the upper part are pressed into irregular square column, the surface is reddish brown to dark reddish brown, lustrous, slightly transparent, the skin is delicate and oily, the rhizome (ginseng reed) is short and thick and concave, some have two ginseng reeds, the stem scar of ginseng reed (reed bowl) is large, slightly bowl-shaped; the upper part of the root has a transverse ring pattern.

Which is better, American ginseng or Korean ginseng?

Since the medicinal properties of American ginseng and Korean ginseng are different, one is cold and the other is hot, and the target groups are different, so it is not accurate to judge the efficacy of American ginseng and Korean ginseng for different people. Western ginseng is suitable for people with yin deficiency; those with heat, diabetics, hypertensive patients, poor heart muscle, coronary heart disease, angina pectoris, malnutrition, anemia, and neurasthenia can be consumed. Ginseng is suitable for people with Yang deficiency; people with palpitation and insomnia, people with physical deficiency, heart failure, cardiogenic shock, cold hands and feet, and people with cold deficiency can take it in moderation.

Can American ginseng and Korean ginseng be eaten together?

They cannot be eaten together. Western ginseng is cool in nature and has the effect of cooling and nourishing the body, while Korean ginseng is warm in nature and can be a great tonic for the vital energy. Although they are both herbs for nourishing the vital energy, Western ginseng is a tonic for Yin deficiency and Korean ginseng is a tonic for Yang deficiency. Western ginseng is good for the qi and nourishes the yin, and also has the effect of clearing fire, which is more suitable for summer. Korean ginseng nourishes the qi and blood, and is more of a warm tonic, so it is suitable for winter.