Red ginseng for kids growing in popularity
Seen above is Hong Yi Jang Goon, or Korean Red Ginseng Kids Tonic, produced by the Korea Ginseng Corp. The health supplement for children is one of the most popular in Korea. / Courtesy of Korea Ginseng Corp.
By Lee Min-hyung
Red ginseng, the nation’s most-sought-after herbal nutrition supplement, is rapidly growing in popularity among children, as it offers exceptional health benefits by boosting their immune systems and balancing nutrition.
Ginseng is known as a cure-all herb here and abroad. The health supplement has not been widely consumed for children in non-Korean territories, such as the United States and Europe where vitamins and lactic acid bacteria are the most common dietary supplements for children.
But in Korea, demand for red ginseng is rising and it is gaining popularity as a replacement for conventional health supplements for children.
In particular, the Korea Ginseng Corp. (KGC) said Hong Yi Jang Goon, or Korean Red Ginseng Kids Tonic, has topped the list of its best-selling product for children aged between 3 and 13 for almost a decade.
The product, which comes under the Cheong Kwan Jang brand of the corporation, was launched in 2004. Its market share takes up more than 80 percent of the children’s ginseng industry, according to the KGC.
A six-year-old ginseng root extract is the main ingredient for the tonic, helping children relieve fatigue and improve their memory. The KGC said six years is the best age for red ginseng in terms of the amount of good components.
“The sweet-flavored ginseng tonic is gaining traction not just in Korea, but other Asian countries such as China,” a KGC official said. “In recent years, demand for the product has grown among Chinese tourists here. This is because the rising numbers of Chinese parents pay close attention to health conditions of their children.”
According to studies here and abroad, ginseng’s other benefits include enhancing stamina and blood circulation. In particular, saponin compounds in ginseng are well known for their medical effects to prevent a series of potential diseases.