Not All Ginseng Is Real Ginseng — Here’s How to Tell the Difference

It's a Bonnie Supplement, but it's Not Ginseng!

At King Lake Farms, Remi often gets asked about the differences in types of ginseng. In southwestern Ontario, we grow North American ginseng or Panax quinquefolius. In Latin, Panax means “all-healing” and quinquefolius refers to the five leaves of the ginseng plant.

The other ginseng is Asian or Korean ginseng or Panax ginseng. Both types of ginseng have been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for centuries and the former in indigenous medicine in North America.

During one of Remi’s marketing trips to Asia, a Chinese doctor explained that he uses the two types of ginseng as “Yin and Yang,” with the Asian ginseng having a heating effect on the body and North American ginseng having a cooling effect. The cooling effect is what helps with inflammation, stress and overstimulation. The energy gained from North American ginseng is described as “slow and sustained.”  

Other ginseng, such as “Siberian ginseng” is not true ginseng, and the plant often referred to as “Indian ginseng” is not ginseng at all, but rather ashwagandha. While these could be beneficial, they’re not ginseng. It reminds me of that commercial from the 90s - “It’s a bonnie cereal, but it’s not oatmeal!”

To profit from the health benefits of North American ginseng, make sure you’re purchasing your panax quinquefolius ginseng from a trusted source like King Lake Farms.