What is the difference between Korean ginseng and American ginseng?
Although there are many kinds of ginseng, the ones generally used for tea are mostly Korean ginseng and American ginseng. Although both are fine Chinese medicinal herbs, their medicinal properties are exactly opposite: American ginseng is cool in nature, while Korean ginseng is hot in nature. Both belong to the ginseng family. Let's take a look below at what the differences between Korean ginseng and American ginseng are!
Korean ginseng
Korean ginseng, also known as Korean red ginseng, Biezhishen, etc., is the root with rhizome of the Araliaceae plant ginseng, made through processing and steaming. It has effects such as greatly tonifying original qi, promoting fluid production and calming the mind, and is suitable for people with palpitations and insomnia, those with a weak constitution, heart failure, cardiogenic shock, etc.
American ginseng
American ginseng is a perennial herb of the genus Panax in the Araliaceae family, also known as Huaginseng, Yangshen, American ginseng, etc. It is native to Greater Quebec in Canada and Wisconsin in the United States, and has the effects of tonifying qi and nourishing yin, clearing heat and promoting fluid production. It is suitable for qi deficiency and yin depletion, internal heat, cough and asthma with phlegm and blood, deficiency heat and fatigue, polydipsia, dry mouth and throat, etc.
The difference between Korean ginseng and American ginseng
1. Nature, flavor and meridian entry: American ginseng is sweet and bitter in flavor, cool in nature, and enters the heart, lung and kidney meridians, while Korean ginseng is sweet and slightly bitter in flavor, warm in nature, and enters the lung, spleen and heart meridians.
2. Producing area and environment: American ginseng is produced in Greater Quebec in Canada, Wisconsin in the United States, Huairou in Beijing, China and Changbai Mountain, China, while Korean ginseng strictly speaking has only two authentic producing areas, namely Korea and South Korea, and the rest are imitations.
3. Effects and actions: American ginseng has the effects of tonifying qi and nourishing yin, clearing heat and promoting fluid production, and is used for symptoms such as qi deficiency and yin depletion, internal heat, cough and asthma with phlegm and blood, deficiency heat and fatigue, polydipsia, dry mouth and throat, etc. Korean ginseng has the effects of greatly tonifying original qi, nourishing and strengthening the body, promoting fluid production and quenching thirst, calming the mind and improving intelligence, and is suitable for symptoms such as palpitations and insomnia, weak constitution, heart failure, cardiogenic shock, etc.
4. Different medicinal properties: American ginseng is cool in nature and mainly nourishes yin and clears heat, refreshes the mind and fights fatigue, and enhances immunity, making it suitable for people with qi deficiency and yin deficiency. Korean ginseng is hot in nature and mainly greatly tonifies qi and blood, so people with cold hands and feet and cold intolerance and weak constitution can take it appropriately.