Asian - or Chinese Ren Shen (Panax ginseng) is far less and is reflected in the huge price difference. Korean Ginseng or RED Ginseng is considered to be of superior quality.

The natural color of the ginseng root is white. When it is simply cleaned and dried, it retains it natural color. Red ginseng, on the other hand, is the result of being steamed with a solution of herbs. Steaming greatly enhances Ginsengs quality.

Which is best for you really depends on what you need. Chinese Ginseng is good for a tonic to build the body - like putting gasoline in the car. Korean Red Ginseng is like burning straight nitro. American Ginseng is prized because it drives like nitro (close but still second) without the worry of blowing your engine plus still strengthening your body for endurance like Chinese Ginseng but much stronger.

Age plays a part in the price. first or second year growth is cheap while 5-7+ mature or more are worth their weight in gold. The tails or rootlets are considerable cheaper and the dust is used for the common Ginseng tea sold in the supermarkets or added to new age botanicals.

Recent studies have found that 3 grams a day (Panax ginseng) will reduce blood sugar levels in non-insulin using Type 2 diabetics by 50%. There's also some evidence it improves movement in sluggish sperm ( for those infertile couples with this problem)

Because of its hormone attraction Red ginseng seems to slow down the growth of breast cancer women should take Korean Red for only 3 months at a time and then rest because it is high in testosterone and will act like testosterone.