Korean ginseng (Panax ginseng) is a perennial herb, native to the mountainous regions of present-day northeast China. With history of its use dating back more than 5,000 years, white ginseng and red ginseng are known as the pillars of traditional Asian medicine and lauded by many as the “King of Herbs.” 

Over the centuries, knowledge of its physiological and energy benefits as a tonic, elixir of youth, and an aphrodisiac spread, such that it became valued as a medicinal herb worldwide. 

Today, Korean ginseng is known as an effective adaptogenic herb, enhancing physical and mental performance, supporting the body's natural ability to handle stress, and promoting overall well-being.* Modern research has validated many of these traditional claims, making Korean ginseng, especially red ginseng, one of the most sought-after herbal supplements worldwide. 

Key Korean ginseng benefits

One of the unique properties of Korean ginseng is the presence of bioactive compounds known as ginsenosides, which contribute to its numerous health benefits. Ginseng benefits include:

  • Improved cognition – Ginseng has been shown to improve memory, focus, and mental clarity while reducing brain fatigue.*
  • Promote healthy immune function – Regular consumption of ginseng may help strengthen the immune response, making the body more resilient.*
  • Improved energy and stamina – As a natural adaptogen, ginseng helps fight fatigue, improve endurance, and support long-term vitality.*
  • Stress reduction and mood balance – Ginseng supports the body’s natural ability to regulate stress hormones, promoting relaxation, and enhancing emotional well-being.*

Different types and quality levels of Korean ginseng

Over the centuries, traditional herbalists developed various methods to preserve the root and essentially extend its shelf life. In so doing, they discovered that different types of processes also helped potentiate the various health benefits associated with the herb. Thanks to modern science we now know that certain processing methods induce key chemical changes to the root’s bioactive composition, resulting in more potent effects.  

Most common ginseng preparations include:

  • White ginseng – This is the simplest and oldest method and involves taking unprocessed ginseng and air-drying/sun-drying the roots, extracting the majority of water from the material, and concentrating the key bioactives. That said, this process does not involve a significant amount of bioconversion of these actives. White ginseng is the most common form found in the Chinese market.
  • Red ginseng – This process takes aged ginseng roots and runs them through several cycles of steam cooking to enhance potency. The heat causes a browning (through the Maillard reaction) of the roots because of their high polysaccharide content, ultimately giving the ginseng a characteristic reddish appearance. The process also allows key constituents to undergo significant bioconversion, yielding a broader spectrum of bioactives, including rare or noble ginsenosides.

Accessing quality Korean ginseng

For millennia, the best ginseng has traditionally been wild harvested from the mountains of northern China and other Asian countries. However, the increasing demand for ginseng has led to overharvesting, making authentic wild ginseng increasingly rare and expensive. 

For example, it is not uncommon for these roots to be sold at auction for tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars. In 2012, a root unearthed in the Changbai Mountains was estimated to be approximately 65 years old and was sold for over $588,000, making it the most expensive root in history. 

This scarcity drives prices up, making it a lucrative but unsustainable market, often leading to illegal harvesting and counterfeiting. Additionally, overharvesting wild ginseng can have an adverse effect on the environment, disrupting forest ecosystems and affecting plant regeneration and wildlife that depend on the same habitat.

Conventional cultivation of ginseng has its challenges, as well. The plant requires very particular environmental conditions for growth. Then, it takes an average of 4-6 years to yield roots with some level of bioactive concentration, which is often much less potent than what can be found in the wild.  

Introduction to Botalys

Botalys is a Belgian biotechnology company specializing in producing ultra-pure medicinal plants through innovative indoor farming techniques. With a mission to revolutionize herbal medicine, Botalys has developed a groundbreaking approach to cultivating high-quality Korean ginseng without the limitations of traditional farming.

Biomimetic farming: A scientific breakthrough

Biomimetic farming is a cutting-edge cultivation method that replicates the ideal natural growing conditions of a plant within a controlled environment. By simulating wild-like conditions, Botalys ensures that their Korean ginseng develops the same complex phytochemical profile as the highest-quality wild ginseng – without the environmental impact of overharvesting.

What sets Botalys Korean red ginseng apart?

Botalys' Korean red ginseng stands out in the market for several reasons:

  • Unmatched purity – Cultivated in a controlled environment, its ginseng is free from contaminants.
  • High potency – The optimized growing conditions ensure superior ginsenoside levels, making it more effective than conventionally grown ginseng.
  • Sustainable production – With no reliance on wild harvesting, Botalys ensures an ethical and eco-friendly supply chain. These factors make Botalys Korean red ginseng one of the most advanced and reliable options available to consumers seeking high-quality ginseng.

The future of biomimetic farming and Botalys

As demand for high-quality natural health products continues to grow, biomimetic farming represents the future of herbal medicine. Botalys is leading the way by setting new industry standards for purity, potency, and sustainability. With ongoing research and advancements in cultivation techniques, the company aims to expand its production to other medicinal plants, further transforming the herbal supplement industry. 

By combining tradition with innovation, Botalys is not only preserving the legacy of ginseng but also redefining its potential for modern health and wellness. 

Thorne is proud to partner with ingredient suppliers like Botalys, who make sustainability an integral part of their philosophy and practice.

Thorne’s Ginseng Plus contains 420 mg of Botalys Korean red ginseng per serving (including rare ginsenosides), along with lion’s mane and Greek mountain tea to support cognition, focus, memory, and mood, particularly during times of stress.*

You can find more information about Botalys here.