Recently, advertisements for fresh ginseng, also known as sprouted ginseng, claiming to be “as easy to eat as vegetables, good for health, and great for skin beauty…” have garnered significant attention, especially among women.
Sprouted Ginseng: Beneficial for Health and Skin Beauty Shared Widely Online
Through research, various online shopping sites and social media platforms like Facebook and TikTok are currently selling a lot of sprouted ginseng. Sellers promote it as a type of clean vegetable that is both delicious and nutritious. Notably, according to vendors, you can eat it just like regular vegetables.
TikToker N.L.S shared about sprouted ginseng: “You can eat the whole plant, like a clean vegetable, and it can be naturally preserved for 5-7 days; in the refrigerator, it lasts over 2 weeks.”
When asked about sprouted ginseng, TikToker D.H mentioned that sprouted ginseng is grown for a year as usual. Afterward, it continues to be cultivated using hydroponics for another 2 months to develop sufficient leaves, stems, and roots. All these parts are edible.
Numerous advertisements claim sprouted ginseng has effects comparable to regular ginseng roots, and can be eaten like vegetables. (Image from TikTok).
This seller stated: “Sprouted ginseng is a breakthrough product because it retains the valuable compounds of regular ginseng roots but at a lower production cost. It can also be used as a daily green dish. Sprouted ginseng contains all the active ingredients of regular ginseng, including a compound called saponin, which is 6-8 times higher than that found in ginseng roots, thus having more nutritional value.”
Therefore, according to the advertisements, eating sprouted ginseng may even provide a higher nutrient content than regular ginseng, all at a much lower price.
A TikToker named H.N shared on social media that the saponin content in sprouted ginseng includes an important compound, Rh1 saponin, which helps protect the liver, lower blood cholesterol, prevent cancer, and reduce platelet aggregation. In contrast, regular ginseng roots (5-6 years old) do not contain this compound.
In addition, this TikToker also promoted that sprouted ginseng helps relieve fatigue, improve physiological function, enhance concentration, boost metabolism, prevent obesity, strengthen immunity, and improve overall health. Besides its health benefits, sprouted ginseng offers many beauty benefits, such as improving skin elasticity and reducing wrinkles…
Many e-commerce sites also list sprouted ginseng for sale.
On Facebook, many sales pages assert that sprouted ginseng contains ginsenosides similar to those in aged ginseng roots but can easily be incorporated into various dishes (used fresh in salads, smoothies, soups, etc.), offering a new culinary experience compared to traditional ginseng use.
Given the enticing promotional information about sprouted ginseng, many women may want to buy some to try for their families. Some may even see it as a way to enhance their health and beauty, consuming it regularly like vegetables—as claimed by sellers.
So, is sprouted ginseng really safe to eat as a substitute for regular vegetables? Can everyone consume sprouted ginseng?… Experts will provide answers below.
Eating Sprouted Ginseng Instead of Vegetables: What Do Experts Say?
According to Dr. Lê Tiến Huy (Deputy Director of the Institute of Science and Technology in Medicine), sprouted ginseng is currently heavily advertised on social media for its purported benefits such as cancer prevention, skin rejuvenation, and immune enhancement…
“However, there is currently only research on the significance of sprouted ginseng in relation to sepsis. Specifically, using sprouted ginseng helps support the treatment of patients with sepsis. There is no scientific evidence to prove that the other claimed benefits are accurate,” Dr. Huy stated.
Experts do not recommend replacing vegetables with sprouted ginseng regularly.
The expert referenced a study published on the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), an agency under the National Library of Medicine in the United States, part of the National Institutes of Health. This is the only study, as of now, that shows the role of sprouted ginseng in user health.
Therefore, people should not use sprouted ginseng indiscriminately, nor should it be consumed like a regular vegetable, in any quantity desired. In reality, ginseng is a rare food product, widely used for medicinal purposes, and appears in its raw form in many traditional medicine recipes. It is also used to improve health.
However, this refers to regular ginseng roots, not sprouted ginseng as is being sold on the market. Thus, the actual benefits of sprouted ginseng compared to regular ginseng remain unclear.
Ginseng.
ThS.BS Hoàng Khánh Toàn (former head of the Traditional Medicine Department at the Central Military Hospital 108) further noted that while ginseng is good for health, it must be used correctly. If misused, ginseng can cause poisoning, worsen health conditions, and even lead to death. The expert pointed out several groups that should avoid ginseng to prevent unfortunate health consequences:
- People who frequently experience bloating, abdominal pain, or diarrhea.
- Individuals suffering from vomiting, acid reflux, and high blood pressure.
- Women close to their due date.
Additionally, there are individuals who can consume ginseng but must ensure it is done correctly; it should not be used casually. Those who often experience insomnia but are in poor health should take ginseng in the morning and in low doses. Children with weak bodies, poor appetite, and slow physical and mental development can use ginseng but should not overdo it due to the high risk of early puberty.
Experts also emphasize that this information pertains specifically to regular ginseng roots. In practice, it’s unclear how sprouted ginseng will function and what precautions are necessary. Therefore, more clinical research on sprouted ginseng is needed to draw conclusions.
