[Effects of Wild Ginseng] 3 Benefits of Wild Ginseng Proven in Modern Medicine

Hello, I am Jinny, a pharmacist.

Today, I'd like to talk about "wild ginseng," a mysterious and highly regarded medicinal herb in Korea often referred to as the "king of herbs." Throughout history, our ancestors had great faith in the efficacy of wild ginseng, believing that there was no illness it couldn't treat. Wild ginseng was thought to invigorate the weak, promote blood circulation, and strengthen various bodily functions, such as the endocrine system, heart, lungs, digestive system, skin, and more. It was often viewed as a panacea.

However, wild ginseng is not an easily obtainable herb. Unlike cultivated ginseng that grows in fields, wild ginseng thrives in remote, deep mountain valleys where human interference is minimal. It has a slow growth rate, taking two years for its seeds to germinate, and its roots grow only about 1 cm per year. Moreover, external factors that threaten its survival can halt its growth for several years.

As a result, wild ginseng endures these hardships during its growth, and its price is much higher than that of cultivated ginseng. Its value can vary significantly depending on factors like the growing period, with a century-old wild ginseng discovered last year being valued at an astonishing 120 million KRW.

So, what are the proven medicinal benefits of wild ginseng in modern medicine? Is it as remarkable as its reputation suggests? Let's explore this through scientific research and papers.

The benefits of wild ginseng can be attributed to its component known as "ginsenosides," and the pharmacological effects of ginsenosides vary depending on the type. Among the over 100 different ginsenosides, one that receives significant attention is Rg3. Numerous studies have confirmed the anti-tumor activity of Rg3 in various types of cancer, including stomach cancer, liver cancer, lung cancer, breast cancer, ovarian cancer, uterine cancer, and prostate cancer.

In fact, in 2017, a group of researchers reviewed the studies conducted over the previous decade on Rg3 and published a review paper titled "Anti-Cancer Effects of Ginsenoside Rg3" in the scientific journal International Journal of Molecular Medicine.

The researchers summarized that Rg3 induces the apoptosis of cancer cells, inhibits the proliferation and metastasis of cancer cells, suppresses angiogenesis (the formation of new blood vessels supplying oxygen and nutrients to cancer cells), and enhances the immune system, all contributing to its anti-tumor activity.

Did you know that ginseng has been historically used for diabetic patients as well? According to the "Donguibogam," ginseng was recorded to be effective for quenching thirst caused by diabetes.

In modern medicine, efforts to utilize ginsenosides found in ginseng as a treatment for diabetes have continued. In 2011, Korean researchers conducted experiments to examine the anti-diabetic effects of another ginsenoside, Rb2. The results of the experiments showed that Rb2 activates AMPK, which inhibits the synthesis of glucose in the liver, thus confirming its anti-diabetic effect.

Does wild ginseng really serve as a panacea for all diseases? Wild ginseng has historical records of being used as a cardiac tonic and has even been used as a cardiac stimulant. Additionally, ginsenoside Re, found in wild ginseng, has been confirmed to have cardiovascular protective effects.

In this regard, I would like to introduce a review article published in the prestigious journal "Cardiovascular Therapeutics" that summarizes previous research on the pharmacological effects of ginsenoside Re on the cardiovascular system. This article describes the effects of ginsenoside Re on the cardiovascular system based on a comprehensive review of previous studies.

Today, we learned about the proven benefits of Korean ginseng and ginsenosides in modern medicine. Ginseng is being researched in various fields, as mentioned earlier, and it seems that our ancestors recognized its value long ago.

Finally, to fully experience the benefits of ginseng, there are two important things to consider. First, check if the manufacturing process minimizes the destruction of ginsenosides, the key components of ginseng. Second, make sure to verify the content of ginsenosides in the product you are considering.

I hope you have a healthy day both physically and mentally. This was Jinny.