KGC Hosts International Scientific Seminar on Korean Red Ginseng at the U.S. Botanical Conference

KGC (Korea Ginseng Corporation), the world’s leading producer of red ginseng, recently held a specialized academic seminar at the International Conference on the Science of Botanicals (ICSB) in Oxford, Mississippi. Organized by the U.S. National Center for Natural Products Research (NCNPR), this international forum brought together more than 400 attendees, including U.S. government officials (FDA, USDA, NSF, NIH), university researchers, and scientists, to explore the science-backed benefits of Korean Red Ginseng, one of the most celebrated herbal supplements in the world.

Scientifically Validated Herbal Benefits of Red Ginseng

The primary focus of the seminar was the functional benefits and safety of red ginseng, a product of repeated steaming and drying of Korean ginseng roots. Scientific results presented at the seminar highlighted red ginseng’s proven ability to:

• Enhance cardiovascular health by reducing platelet aggregation

• Improve immune function and reduce immune cell aging

• Act as a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent

• Support memory, menopausal health, and blood sugar control

These findings align with the seven functional health claims officially recognized by Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS), which include:

• Immune system enhancement

• Blood circulation improvement through inhibition of platelet aggregation

• Antioxidant effects

• Fatigue reduction

• Memory improvement

• Menopausal symptom relief in women

• Blood sugar regulation

Additionally, global clinical research supports red ginseng's antiviral, anticancer, and cognitive benefits, especially in reducing fatigue during chemotherapy and delaying the progression of age-related memory disorders.

U.S. Clinical Trials Confirm Cardiovascular Benefits

A key highlight was the clinical research presented by Dr. Amir Rafie, a vascular specialist at Valiance Clinical Research in the U.S. Dr. Rafie’s team conducted a 12-week, placebo-controlled study involving 108 healthy adults. Participants were divided into three groups: placebo, 480 mg red ginseng, and 2000 mg red ginseng daily.

The results were clear:

• Platelet aggregation was reduced by 16% in the 2000 mg group

• A 10% reduction was seen in the 480 mg group

• No significant difference in blood coagulation indices was found, confirming safe antithrombotic action without increasing bleeding risk

These results suggest that red ginseng can safely maintain heart health by preventing clot formation—a growing concern in Western populations.

Korean Researchers Present Breakthroughs in Immunity and Anti-Aging

Professor Minho Song of KAIST (Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology) shared pioneering research on red ginseng’s ability to revitalize aging immune cells. According to his presentation, red ginseng extract:

• Enhances mitochondrial activity in aged immune cells

• Reduces production of pro-inflammatory cytokines

• Slows down immune cell aging

These mechanisms show how red ginseng supports healthy immune aging, a critical area in both preventive and geriatric medicine.

Herbal Science with Global Relevance

Dr. Iklas Khan, director of NCNPR and a renowned authority on natural products, stated:

“While it’s widely known that red ginseng is a powerful herbal supplement, this seminar emphasized its scientifically validated effects on heart health, immune support, and anti-aging, based on both Korean and American research. It’s a milestone in herbal medicine.”

Lee Yoon-Beom, head of the KGC R&D Center in the U.S., added:

“Red ginseng aligns perfectly with modern wellness trends: gluten-free, caffeine-free, and natural. With over 1,200 published scientific papers, it is one of the most well-studied herbal ingredients globally. KGC will continue collaborating with U.S. universities and hospitals to expand research and promote the global potential of K-ginseng.”