Korean Job Discussion Forums

[jkrishnamurtidotorg]

Are there any ginseng connoisseurs in the esl cafe community who would be willing to share specifically what products and/or qualities they look for when purchasing ginseng for health benefits?

I am interested in experimenting with the use of ginseng in my own diet. I would like to observe whether there might be any positive effects from regular consumption of Korean ginseng, but I want to avoid any of the watered down, less potent, 'cheap' products on the market.

It would be extremely helpful to know any information which might educate my own ability to go out and find an 'affordable' yet potent source of quality ginseng in Korea.

Thanks for your considerations.

[schwa]

I've settled on 6-year-old red ginseng (hongsam) extract, which is sold in boxes of foil drink packs. Its available in larger supermarkets & health food stores. Works out to w1000 give or take for a daily shot.

I cant state with certainty how it impacts my health but I have a feeling it contributes to my general energy level & a strong immune system (I rarely get sick). I've been consuming it for years.

[dairyairy]

[NYC_Gal 2.0]

I bought a jar of really potent red ginseng extract. It's like a paste, and I use a pea-sized amount mixed into a small cup of hot water, and add some raw honey to make it taste better. The jar is about the size of a large baby food jar, and cost me 75,000 won, but it's lasted me nearly a year, and there's still quite a bit left. I have it probably 5 times a week.

[War Eagle]

[NYC_Gal 2.0]

I have the same spoon. I just use it because it's cute. I can't take it straight, so make the weaker tea with honey.

[jkrishnamurtidotorg]

Some great responses, thanks for sharing everyone.

I've also seen actual ginseng root being sold at a home plus in the vegetable section of the supermarket. The root was packaged in plastic clear wrap with a styrofoam bottom. When I last saw them, I bent the root to see how sturdy it was, and several that I checked were a bit flimsy, equivalent to carrots that have been sitting out for several days. I'm also curious whether anyone knows about the potency of ginseng bought and consumed in this form rather then the extracts.

[furtakk]

I get the blueberry one from time to time:

http://www.samsamstory.com/564

It's not as strong tasting as the others and it goes quite well mixed it into smoothies. I used to hate the stuff, but I get them as gifts often and it finally stuck.

[nuthatch]

Siberian Eleuthero is supposed to be better for you than Korean Ginseng...

[CrikeyKorea]

I use different types too, but you can't go past insamju... 3-5 years tastes bloody delicious...

[atwood]

The U.S. Army did tests on ginseng to see if it would give soldiers energy. It worked no better than the placebo.

If you believe in Oriental medicine, then you're supposed to a "hot" physical type to benefit from ginseng. If you're "cold," ginseng won't be of much use to you.

But for how long have they grown/harvested ginseng in Korea? And for how long was Korea an impoverished peninsula? Whatever get up and go they were supposedly getting from ginseng doesn't seem to have amounted to much.

And why ginseng? Because it physically resembles a man's reproductive organs.

But why stop with ginseng? Eel, dog, bear bile, snake blood, and tiger meat all are sworn by as health elixirs.

[mayorhaggar]

[dairyairy]