Ginseng, a revered plant with a rich history, has been plagued by a persistent issue: adulteration. This practice, as highlighted by a recent review, is a cause for concern among experts and enthusiasts alike. The integrity of ginseng products is at stake, and the implications are far-reaching.
The review, published in Natural Product Communications, analyzed an extensive body of research, encompassing 48 peer-reviewed studies and a total of 910 commercial ginseng products. The findings were eye-opening: a significant portion, 24.7% to be precise, of these products were found to be adulterated. But here's where it gets controversial... the reasons behind this widespread tampering are largely financial.
Dr. Stefan Gafner, Chief Science Officer at the American Botanical Council (ABC), sheds light on the matter: "In most cases, this happens for financial gain... The sale price depends on the quality of the root material, with main roots commanding a premium, while slender roots are available at a fraction of the cost."
The genus Panax, which includes the well-known Asian and American ginseng species, is at the heart of this controversy. With five- and six-year-old roots fetching a premium, it's no surprise that younger roots are often used as substitutes. But that's not all; the review also highlights the use of lower-cost Panax species, excessive fillers, and even undisclosed blending of non-root ginseng parts or similar-looking species.
And this is the part most people miss: some ginseng dietary supplements have been found to contain undeclared active pharmaceutical ingredients. This not only raises questions about the safety and efficacy of these products but also underscores the need for stricter regulations and quality control measures.
"Ginseng adulteration remains a significant concern," write Nilüfer Orhan, PhD, Dr. Gafner, and Mark Blumenthal, founder and executive director of ABC. They emphasize that the problem varies depending on the type of ginseng, product form, and region. Generally, dietary supplements seem to carry a higher risk of adulteration compared to powdered ginseng root or ginseng sold as herbal tea.
The implications of this review are far-reaching. It highlights the need for better consumer protection, more accurate labeling, and stricter enforcement of existing regulations. The American Botanical Council is taking action; they plan to release a Botanical Adulterants Prevention Bulletin on ginseng, their 32nd plant-specific adulteration bulletin.
With sales of dietary supplements containing ginseng totaling approximately US$10.7 million in 2024, according to ABC's Herb Market Report, the stakes are high. Mark Blumenthal, with over 50 years of experience in the industry, welcomes this new review, noting that ginseng has been surrounded by "confusion and controversy" for decades.
The issue of ginseng adulteration is complex and multifaceted. It involves not only the misuse of the term "ginseng" for plants outside the Panax genus but also the marketing of herbal products as "ginseng" due to local conventions in various countries. Blumenthal clarifies that while these practices may not always constitute fraud, they contribute to the overall confusion surrounding ginseng products.
The new BAPP review provides a comprehensive list of plants that use or misuse the term "ginseng." This resource aims to educate consumers and industry professionals, helping them make informed choices and promoting transparency in the market.
Source: Natural Product Communications, 2025;20(12). doi: 10.1177/1934578X251405982. "Ginseng Adulteration Across Global Markets and Evaluation of Commercial Product Authenticity." Authors: N. Orhan, S. Gafner, M. Blumenthal.
