We’d always heard about the restorative properties of ginseng, but it wasn’t until we ventured to Seoul that we witnessed the true power of the health-boosting root. It was an eye-opening experience, to say the least. And we learned that ginseng can do so much more than just give an energy jolt! It’s a wellness powerhouse!
Referred to as nature’s medicine, turns out this powerful natural beauty can affect everything from circulation to skin. We joined the Korea Ginseng Corporation on an educational trip to see exactly how the ingredient is harvested, extracted and produced to, well, produce results.
After a 14 hour flight and a night in the bustling city of Seoul — where there’s an actual shopping area dedicated to skincare and beauty — we traveled about two hours to an original manufacturing plant. This is where freshly harvested ginseng is transformed into a superfood.
The dried down root — red ginseng — has been the subject of decades of research because this centuries-old, tried-and-true method transforms fresh ginseng into a wildly potent nutrient. But it doesn’t happen instantly! First, the freshly gathered ginseng is carefully washed to eliminate dirt and debris. It’s then steamed at a very high temperature for several hours. Once it cools back to room temperature, it’s dried over the course of several days at varying cold temps. The whole process is meticulous and over it’s course, chemical changes occur in the ginseng which gives it its superpowers.
Red Ginseng has the highest levels of something called “saponins” which are basically naturally occurring compounds that have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
Thanks to saponins, red ginseng has been purported to strengthen memory, aid liver and brain function, boost immunity and give an energy boost by spurring circulation. Even non-saponins in ginseng have been shown to reduce cholesterol levels. For this reason, red ginseng can commonly be found in teas and supplement sachets, chews and pills.
But red ginseng can aid in beauty, as well. Its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant powers help defend the skin against free-radical damage and even boost collagen production. The ingredient is also high in Vitamin B, leading to brighter skin and a boosted hydration, even when taken internally as a drink.
Like other cult favorite products (think Creme de la Mer and SK-II Essence,) the topical benefits of red ginseng was discovered by a happy accident. Workers at the Korea Ginseng Corporation who oversaw the steaming process of of the root saw fine lines and wrinkles on their skin disappear. Product formulators then distilled the steam into ginseng oil pressed out of six-year-old roots, which led to the creation of a skin care line, soon to be available in the United States.
When it comes to looking and feeling our best, trends may come and go, but ginseng is forever.
