ABSTRACT
Korean ginseng is botanically identical to the ginseng plant growing in Manchuria and in the maritime province of Siberia. The majority of the Korean people were immigrants from North China and Manchuria. Growing ginseng plants was first started in the Ching-shan and Chuan-lo provinces in South Korea in the sixteenth century. The climate and soil of the Korean Peninsula are peculiarly suited for ginseng cultivation. More and more farmers attempted to grow ginseng plants for higher profit. Korea has a long history in governing and controlling ginseng production, particularly the red ginseng root. Although ginseng has been recognized by the Koreans as a useful remedy dating back to the Three Kingdoms period, it became a recognized medicine only in the Yi dynasty. Ginseng extract is the most potent ginseng product for tonic effect. It contains about 40% water and 60% solid materials including extracted principles from the root.
