Cheong Kwan Jang expands inroads into int’l market

Korea Ginseng Corp.’s Cheong Kwan Jang, its best-known red ginseng, aims to become the pride of Korea with its six-year-old products, the corporation said Thursday.

Ginseng reaches maturity after six years, the KGC said in a press release. Six-year-old red ginseng contains the greatest medicinal effects. Korean ginseng is considered one of the most effective forms of ginseng on the international market.

Red ginseng contains more “saponin” than ordinary ginseng, according to KGC officials. Saponin is a key medicinal component out of the many beneficial ingredients in ginseng. During the manufacturing process, the red ginseng creates various new physiologically active beneficial components, they said.

Ginseng saponin has mild medicinal characteristics with no toxins, almost no hemolytic characteristics, and is completely different from saponin found in other plants in its chemical makeup, the officials said.

They said saponin found in ginseng has physiological detoxification capabilities by promoting blood circulation to prevent anemia. Simply put, saponin enters the body and cleans the vessels and various organs. Hence, the ginseng has been used traditionally to ward off fatigue and stress.

Such medical benefits reach out to the central nervous, endocrine and immune systems, as well as metabolism. They have various effects on the body’s conditioning, the officials said.

Ginseng is also effective in preventing illnesses such as cancer and arthritis and, can lower high blood sugar levels. The “great remedy” for people suffering from fatigue is more beneficial when taken before meals or dissolved in warm water, they said.

They noted that ginseng has been used for medicinal purposes in Asia for 2,000 years.