Ginseng: A Deep Dive into Authenticity and Adulteration
Imagine this: You reach for a ginseng supplement, believing in its power to boost your health. But what if what you're taking isn't what you think it is? A recent review by the Botanical Adulterants Prevention Program (BAPP) unveils a concerning reality: ginseng adulteration is a persistent issue.
The study, published in Natural Product Communications, examined the authenticity of 910 commercial ginseng products from 48 peer-reviewed publications. The results are eye-opening. Out of 853 products tested, a staggering 24.7% were found to be adulterated. This means that the product you are buying may not contain what the label claims it does. This often involves substituting the declared species with cheaper alternatives, such as powdered roots or extracts from less costly plants. But here's where it gets controversial: in 8 additional studies, 49.1% of the 57 ginseng products tested contained undisclosed active pharmaceutical ingredients.
Dr. Nilüfer Orhan, Dr. Stefan Gafner, and Mark Blumenthal, the authors of the study, highlight that adulteration is often driven by financial gain. Even though the cost of Asian and American ginseng roots are similar, the price varies depending on the type of root. Main roots fetch the highest price, while slender roots are available at a much lower cost. This makes economically motivated adulteration a common practice.
Understanding the Ginseng Landscape
"Ginseng" is a term that encompasses several species within the Panax genus, which includes 16 species. The most popular are Asian ginseng (P. ginseng), American ginseng (P. quinquefolius), and tienchi ginseng (P. notoginseng). These are prized for their well-documented health benefits.
Adulteration takes many forms. It can include substituting with cheaper Panax species, using excessive fillers, or mixing extracted material with unextracted roots. Another common practice is using younger roots, as five- and six-year-old roots have a higher market value than four-year-old roots. Additionally, some supplements have been found to contain undeclared active pharmaceutical ingredients.
The Call for Action
The study's findings echo previous reviews, highlighting the need for better quality control, stricter regulations, and more accurate product labeling. This is crucial for ensuring consumer safety and trust. The BAPP review will be followed by a Botanical Adulterants Prevention Bulletin on ginseng, which will be the 32nd plant-specific adulteration bulletin.
Ginseng in the Market
According to ABC’s Herb Market Report, sales of ginseng supplements totaled approximately $10.7 million in 2024.
A History of Confusion
Mark Blumenthal, with over 50 years of experience in the field, notes that issues with ginseng have persisted for decades. In the 1970s, there was a warning about the mislabeling of “Wild Red American Ginseng.” Steven Foster noted that ginseng has been surrounded by "confusion and controversy" in the trade for some years.
For example, Eleutherococcus senticosus, known as “Siberian ginseng,” entered the market in the 1960s. This led to confusion in the herb trade for over 30 years. The United States resolved this in 2002 by banning the use of the name “ginseng” on commercial herb products unless they contained members of the Panax genus.
Blumenthal also points out that the term “ginseng” has been used for various plants not in the Panax genus. The new BAPP review lists such plants that use or misuse the term “ginseng.”
What do you think? Are you surprised by these findings? Do you think current regulations are sufficient? Share your thoughts in the comments below!"
