Best ginseng: a pharmacist’s opinion (2025)

We analyzed 10 products sold online according to 5 criteria, and selected these 3 ginseng supplements:

# Best ginseng complex : The Booster – Nutri&Co

# Best value for money : High-dose red ginseng – Amoseeds

# Best premium ginseng : Premium red ginseng – Dynveo

Best ginseng supplements

Our selection criteria

• Ginsenoside levels: ginseng contains more than 50 different ginsenosides; they are responsible for most of its benefits. A high level allows optimal effectiveness with a reduced number of capsules per day.
• Certificate of analysis : verification of the absence of contamination, heavy metals, or suspicious solvents.
• Price / day : this is the price per day of the regimen at the brand’s recommended daily dose.
• Customer reviews: these reviews are collected from specialized platforms such as TrustPilot or Ekomi.
• Our opinion on the brand: based on the supplement brand tests we conduct each month.

All selected products are made in France and contain no excipients. All capsules are 100% plant-based.

---

Best ginseng complex

This supplement contains 3 stimulating ingredients for a synergistic effect: high-quality white ginseng, caffeine, and a patented extract concentrated at over 60% mangiferin.

Unlike other similar supplements, the ginseng used has been validated by more than 40 clinical studies. And it offers a very broad spectrum of ginsenosides.

Caffeine acts quickly, and white ginseng prolongs the energy boost without a crash. It is provided by a combination of coffee extracts, maca, guarana, green tea and mate. Be careful, one capsule is equivalent to a cup of espresso!

The brand Nutri&Co is based in Aix-en-Provence, and places particular importance on product transparency (availability of certificates of analysis on the website) and on ingredient quality (no controversial excipients, eco-responsibility).

Our full review of Nutri&Co is available here.

---

Best value for money

The red ginseng from Amoseed offers excellent value for money, with a sufficient concentration of ginsenosides.

The capsule shell is plant-based (HPMC), and a box of 90 capsules lasts 3 months.

Amoseeds is a French brand specializing in superfoods and plant-based supplements.

The products are offered in raw form or as capsules and powders. They are organic and guaranteed free from additives and preservatives.

---

Best premium ginseng

We selected this ginseng because it is pure, has a good ginsenoside content, and also offers a broad spectrum of bioactive molecules.

The extract is 100% pure, and comes from sustainable soilless production. It is standardized to 6% ginsans, at least 12% in conventional ginsenosides, of which at least 10% are rare ginsenosides.

Dynveo is a dietary supplement laboratory known for the concentration of active ingredients in its products. We tested and approved its customer service, which is responsive and helpful (read our full review here to learn more).

---

What are the benefits of ginseng?

A stimulating, aphrodisiac root

The ginseng (Panax ginseng) is a plant native to Asia. It produces a rhizome used in herbal medicine and traditional Chinese medicine. Indeed, it has an aphrodisiac effect that can boost libido.

It also fights fatigue (physical or mental) and increases physical performance. Finally, it strengthens the immune system, thereby improving the body’s resistance to infections. In general, ginseng is a powerful stimulating herb.

A promising study of 4 months, conducted on 45 patients in a double-blind (placebo-controlled) trial, observed in 60% of patients an improvement in erectile dysfunction with an overall satisfaction of 60% after 4 months of taking red ginseng (300 mg three times a day). However, high-quality studies are lacking to validate this effect.

An effect on immunity 

It strengthens the immune system, thereby improving the body’s resistance to infections.

A clinical trial indicates that taking 100 mg of standardized ginseng for 3 months, together with influenza vaccination, very significantly reduced cases of flu or the common cold compared with people who did not take it.

A root that is both stimulating and relaxing

In general, ginseng is a powerful stimulant herb.

The WHO (World Health Organization) recognizes the use of ginseng as “clinically established” for optimizing physical and mental capacities in cases of fatigue and convalescence.

A meta-analysis of 12 controlled trials involving 1,298 patients concluded that ginseng had a significant effect on reducing disease-related fatigue.

Ginseng is an so-called adaptogenic plant: it increases the body’s ability to adapt to stress, and helps restore balance: clinical studies indicate that when combined with multivitamins, ginseng could improve the quality of life of a population subjected to the stress of high physical and mental activity.

Its anti-stress properties were studied in postmenopausal women  : taking 3 g of ginseng by 72 postmenopausal women significantly reduced menopausal symptoms (notably hot flashes, nervousness, depressed mood, fatigue).

The cardiovascular risk factors were also lowered. 

An antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect

The root of ginseng contains active substances called « ginsenosides ». These are partly responsible for its benefits.

Research has shown that they also exert antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.

As shown by this study, ginseng consumption helps regulate the body’s inflammatory response. At the same time, it increases the antioxidant capacity of cells in order to reduce inflammation triggered by oxidative stress.

A blood sugar-lowering effect

There are a few studies on the usefulness of ginseng in prediabetes or in combination in well-controlled people with type 2 diabetes. 

In a placebo-controlled study, taking 2 grams of ginseng three times a day for 3 months in people with type II diabetes reduced blood glucose and insulin levels, while maintaining good blood sugar control (blood sugar level).

Where to buy ginseng?

Health food stores

Many organic stores, such as Naturalia or Biocoop, offer ginseng that is organically grown.

Pharmacies and parapharmacies

In pharmacies and parapharmacies, ginseng is available in capsules, ampoules or powder. It can be used alone or combined with other stimulating plants such as guarana or maca.

Specialized brick-and-mortar stores

Supplement retailers and stores that sell dietary products often carry ginseng in capsules, powder or ampoules. You can also find whole or cut roots at herbalist shops.

Specialized online shops and e-commerce stores

On the Internet, ginseng is available in all its forms: capsules, powder, ampoules, paste-like extract, fresh roots… Preferably choose organic stores such as Kazidomi or La Fourche. Also check resellers, laboratories and supplement brands like Natura Force or Nutri&Co.

Producers

In France, ginseng cultivation is not very widespread. But in the southwest of the country, some producers are starting to take it up. They cultivate, harvest and process the roots. If you can, choose locally grown ginseng.

In what form ?

In capsules and tablets

Ginseng capsules and tablets are made from rhizomes reduced to powder. It’s an easy-to-find, convenient and quick format to take. In addition, it does not have the strong, acrid taste of ginseng root that can be difficult to consume.

The quality is variable, particularly for tablets: it depends on the excipients added to improve the taste.

In powder form

You can sprinkle it on salads, add it to yogurt or to a beverage (water, tea, coffee). It has a fairly strong and bitter taste that can be mellowed with sugar, honey, or lucuma powder.

For these forms, it is more difficult to find information on the ginsenoside content, so the quality is not always reliable.

In ampoules

Ampoules contain an aqueous extract of ginseng roots and are well standardized for active substances. Easy to take, they are simply diluted in a large glass of water.

But they are rarely composed of 100% ginseng. Royal jelly, guarana, ginger are often added… They can also contain other ingredients such as fruit juice, for example.

As roots

The roots are fresh or dried. They can be chewed directly or used in cooking.

They have the advantage of having undergone no chemical processing, but the pronounced taste can put many people off. They pair well with vegetables, meat… and flavor soups.

In paste extract form

Pasty ginseng extract is commonly used in Asia. It takes the form of a fairly thick paste and is highly concentrated in ginsenosides. It is consumed pure or mixed into a hot drink or water.

As tea 

Infusion of fresh roots is possible in boiling water for a few minutes. For a more pronounced effect, decoction should be preferred, with a steeping time of ten to fifteen minutes by default, and several hours if possible.

Be careful, whole ginseng roots sold intact vary greatly in quality depending on their origin.

What criteria should be considered ?

1. Variety

The genus Panax ginseng includes Korean ginsengs such as red ginseng and white ginseng.

• Red ginseng has roots at least 6 years old, steamed and soaked in sugar. This process ensures optimal preservation of active compounds and gives the rhizome its color. Considered the best in the world, it has a high ginsenoside content (32 varieties), which gives red ginseng its anti-fatigue and aphrodisiac properties.
• White ginseng has roots 4 years old. It is not heated and is dried naturally. Part of the ginsenosides is destroyed by UV rays, but the remaining compounds provide ginseng’s adaptogenic effect. For anxiety disorders or mental exhaustion, white ginseng is particularly suitable.

Be careful not to buy “fake” ginsengs, such as Siberian ginseng or American ginseng, which do not have the same properties.

2. Ginsenoside content

The ginsenoside content must be between 10 and 15%.

Below that, the extract does not provide a sufficient effect. Conversely, ginsenoside levels above 15% are rare. 

Beware of confusion: if you find products claiming a content higher than 15%, don’t be fooled.

The lab may refer to the total saponin content, a group of molecules that includes ginsenosides as well as other components. It is the ginsenosides that are primarily responsible for the root’s action.

If the lab does not state the content, move on.

Also ask about the age of the roots used. They should be at least 6 years old to be sufficiently concentrated in active compounds.

3. Cultivation method

Choose a ginseng grown organically, without chemicals. Thus, it contains no pesticide residues, is GMO-free, and is not irradiated.

Indeed, the ginseng root can take on elements from its environment and capture contaminants present in the soil. Organic cultivation avoids industrial harvesting and processing, reduces the risk of contaminants, and increases the quality of the active ingredients.

4. Composition and dosage

The composition of capsules, powder, or ampoules should be as natural as possible. Avoid products containing excipients and preservatives.

The recommended daily dose is about 500 mg of standardized red ginseng. You can go up to 2 g of roots, particularly for effects on fatigue or during convalescence.

5. Origin

Prefer ginsengs originating from South Korea rather than those from China, Canada, or the United States. They stand out for their high quality and their still-traditional cultivation.

The best ginseng is said to come from the Geumsan region in the southwest of the country.

6. Price

A price that is too attractive generally indicates a low ginsenoside content.

Expect about €12 for 60 capsules of organic red ginseng.

Powder costs around €20 per 100 g.

A pack of 40 ampoules costs between €30 and €40.

100 g of red ginseng roots (fresh or dried) cost around €60.

Finally, expect about €45 for 60 ml of a paste-like extract.

Precautions for use

Ginseng can interact with anticoagulant and antidepressant treatments. It should be avoided in cases of diabetes, hypertension, and heart disorders unless advised otherwise by a healthcare professional, and it should also be avoided by pregnant and breastfeeding women.

Courses typically last 1 to 3 months maximum. Concurrent consumption of caffeine (tea, coffee, mate, cocoa, cola) increases ginseng’s stimulating effect and can cause insomnia, palpitations, or irritability.

To summarize

To be sure you’re choosing quality ginseng, check:

1. The variety : choose red ginseng, more concentrated in ginsenosides ;
2. Ginsenoside content : it should be between 10 and 15 %. Choose roots at least 6 years old ;
3. Cultivation method : favor organic farming ;
4. Composition : it should be natural, without additives and without preservatives ;
5. Geographical origin : prefer ginseng grown in South Korea, cultivated traditionally ;
6. Price : expect about €12 for 60 capsules, €20 for 100 g of powder, €60 for 100 g of roots and about €45 for the paste extract. It should be between €30 and €40 for ampoules.

---

Report prepared by Louise Talleu (pharmacist) and Julia Perez (health editor)

When you purchase the selected products, a commission may be paid to us to support the site, compensate our writers and ensure you receive quality information. This does not affect prices.