ILHWA is the World Leader in Ginseng Science since 1971
Through 40 years of continuous scientific research and development, ILHWA has become the World Leader in Ginseng Science and is recognized globally for its quality products. ILHWA means “One Harmony.” We pursue the harmony of science and nature. The company is driven by a single passion… to bring wellness to humanity world wide through this incredible herb.
ILHWA is fully KFDA compliant, Non-GMO, Kosher-certified, Vegan, GMP and ISO- certified. In 1981, ILHWA created a research and development center, applying the best in scientific research to create breakthroughs in ginseng growth, harvesting, processing and extraction. Today, ILHWA is a focused high tech pharmaceutical and nutraceutical company with 3 divisions: Ginseng, Pharmaceutical, and Beverage, and holds numerous patents and has published hundreds of papers and clinical studies.
ILHWA utilizes the best that modern science has to offer in all of its research and development. The key is to use the best in science while carefully honoring the quintessence of this remarkable ginseng root, which has been used for 5,000 years to heal and optimize human potential. The discovery of Compound K, the patented GS15-4® ingredient in ILHWA’s high absorption enzyme fermented ginseng, is the result of dedicated science that honors the integrity of nature.
DOCTORS ENDORSE FERMENTED GINSENG
a breakthrough in ginseng science
Panax ginseng is considered to be one of the fundamental tonics in traditional Chinese medicine. In fact, it may be the world’s best known herb. Panax ginseng has been used medicinally in Asia for more than 5000 years and has been known in Chinese ethnopharmacology for more than 3000 years. Pharmacologically speaking, ginseng is classified as an adaptogen. Ginseng is the world’s most powerful adaptogenic herb which assists the body to manage stress and achieve homeostatic balance, optimizing the body’s ability to resist fatigue, stress, trauma, and support healthy aging and overall wellness. Ginseng has a remarkable capacity to restore the body’s natural balance.
As an adaptogen, Ginseng supports nonspecific resistance to biochemical and physical stressors, thereby improving vitality and well-being. Reviews suggest Panax ginseng has immunomodulating activity by affecting the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Clinical studies have shown that ginseng extract stimulates the immune system, improves mental and physical performance, reduces fatigue, supports healthy glucose regulation, and improves overall quality of life.i,ii,iii,iv
The unique active compounds found only in Panax ginseng are plant saponins called ginsenosides. Other plants that have the common term “ginseng” in their names are not true ginseng since they are from a different genus or family and do not contain these unique compounds. These include Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus), Prince ginseng (Pseudostellaria paniculate), Indian ginseng/Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), and Brazilian ginseng/Suma (Pfaffia paniculata).
The quality and efficacy of Panax ginseng extracts may also be influenced by harvest time and processing methods. Red ginseng is ginseng root that has been peeled, heated (usually through steaming at standard boiling temperatures of 100 °C) and then dried or sun-dried. White ginseng has been processed without heat and air dried. A study comparing the ginsenoside content of the most common red Ginseng extract versus a uniquely processed white ginseng extract showed that this white ginseng extract has higher level of ginsenosides. (Note: this is not common with most white ginseng extract) In fact, the level of ginsenoside Rg1, the indicator of anti-fatigue activity was found to be three or four times higher in this white ginseng than that of red ginseng.v Growing time also impacts ginsenoside content, with roots from plants older than five years being more potent than roots from one- to two-year-old plants.7 In fact, a study measuring ginsenoside content of ginseng roots every year up for up to 6 years reported that the maximum accumulation of ginsenosides was recorded in the roots at the 5thyear.vi The common practice of harvesting 6 year roots may have other limitations as well comparing to 5 year root processing.
While all this science instructing manufacturers on the best way to process and harvest ginseng is important, another factor is fundamental to making an efficacious ginseng extract. It turns out the availability of intact ginsenosides is extremely low. Orally administered ginsenosides are very hard to breakdown by gastric juices or liver enzymes. They can be, however, metabolized by intestinal bacteria and then these metabolites are absorbed from intestines. Recent studies demonstrated that ginsenoside metabolites had greater biological effects than ginsenosides.vii
THE 21ST CENTURY GINSENG
Through decades of consistent scientific leadership, the Korean ginseng manufacturer Ilhwa Co. Ltd., has developed the world’s most efficacious and balancing ginseng extract, GS15-4®. Ilhwa uses a proprietary process that incorporates all the best current science to produce a “21st Century Ginseng Extract”. First, Ilhwa uses white ginseng root that has not been peeled, as peeling removes the minor rootlets and hair rootlets that carry key bioactive compounds. Second, they use a proprietary low heat vacuum extraction of the whole unpeeled root, which maintains the vitamins, amino acid profile and organic germanium lost in the high heat steaming process used in traditional processing. Third, Ilhwa harvests the roots at the optimum time between the 4th and 5th year. In comparison, red ginseng extract available from most companies use the traditional 6 year harvested root. Finally and most importantly, Ilhwa uses a proprietary enzyme fermentation process to improve absorption. High-yield enzyme fermentation mimics the fermentation that occurs in the intestine to transform ginsenosides to an end-stage metabolite called compound K or IH-901. Compound K has been proposed to be the most bioavailable metabolite from colonic fermentation.viii Fermented ginseng extract containing this metabolite have been shown to have many adaptogenic qualities such as strong antioxidant,ix anti-stress,x hepatoprotective,xi anti-allergy and anti-inflammatory xi iactivities as well as support healthy glucose and lipid regulation.xiii In addition, GS15-4® has been clinically proven to provide 15 times increased absorption, 4 times faster absorption and 4 times more consistent absorption (Figures 2-4). In addition, the fermentation process also provides an improved taste profile compared to conventional ginseng extracts. Improved bioavailability means improved adaptogenic support for fatigue and stress.
CONCLUSION
For a number of reasons, more consumers are seeking caffeine-free energy from supplements and beverages. Whether consumers have a fear-based response to the media reports on highly-caffeinated energy drinks, or are simply looking for a different type of energy than the jittery, addictive energy from caffeine, product developers are more likely to find a receptive audience for caffeine-free energy than ever before. In addition, the energy category is evolving beyond simple “stimulant” energy we get from caffeine and beginning to recognize that “energy” has many profiles that can be offered to fit consumers’ lifestyles and interests.
Ginseng extract also has thousands of years of traditional use for energy and vitality. It also has a different energy profile which could be called “adaptogenic” energy. GS15-4®’s proprietary processing leads to better absorption of the active components of ginseng, providing higher accessibility for this adaptogenic energy profile.
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1Cornelis MC, et al. Coffee, CYP1A2 genotype, and risk of myocardial infarction. JAMA. 2006. 295(10):1135-41.
1Heckman MA, et al. Caffeine (1, 3, 7-trimethylxanthine) in foods: a comprehensive review on consumption, functionality, safety, and regulatory matters. J Food Sci. 2010;75(3):R77-87. 1
Smit HJ. Theobromine and the pharmacology of cocoa. Handb Exp Pharmacol. 2011;(200):201-34.
1Mumford GK, et al. Absorption rate of methylxanthines following capsules, cola and chocolate. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 1996;51:319–25.
1Lakshmi T, et al. Panax Ginseng: A universal panacea in the herbal medicine pharmacological spectrum – A review. Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical and Clinical Research. 2011;4(S1):14-18.
1Thorne Research. Panax Ginseng Monograph. Alternative Medicine Review. 2009;14(2):172-176.
1Reay JL, et al. Panax ginseng improves aspects of working memory performance and subjective ratings of calmness in healthy young adults. Hum Psychopharmacol. 2010;25(6):462-71.
1Choi KT. Botanical characteristics, pharmacological effects and medicinal components of Korean Panax ginseng C A Meyer. Acta Pharmacol Sin. 2008; 29 (9): 1109–1118.
1Ko SK, et al. Analysis of Ginsenosides of White and Red Ginseng Concentrates. Korean Food Science and Technology. 2003;35:536-539.
1Xiang-guo L, et al. Ginsenoside Content in The Leaves and Roots of Panax ginseng at Different Ages. Life Science Journal. 2012;9(4):679-683.
1Leung KW and Wong AST. Pharmacology of ginsenosides: a literature review. Chinese Medicine. 2010; 5(20):1- 7.
1Hasagawa H. Proof of mysterious efficacy of ginseng: basic and clinical trials: Metabolic activation of ginsenoside: Deglycosylation by intestinal bacteria and esterification with fatty acid. Journal of Pharmacological Sciences. 2004;95:153-157.
1Ramesh T, et al. Effect of fermented Panax ginseng extract (GINST) on oxidative stress and antioxidant activities in major organs of aged rats. Exp Gerontol. 2012 . 47(1):77-84.
1Kitaoka K et al. Fermented Ginseng Improves the First-Night Effect in Humans. Sleep. 2009;32(3):413-421.
1Lee HU, et al. Hepatoprotective effect of ginsenoside Rb1 and compound K on tert-butyl hydroperoxide-induced liver injury. Liver International. 2005;25: 1069–1073.
1Yang CS, et al. Compound K (CK) Rich Fractions from Korean Red Ginseng Inhibit Toll-like Receptor (TLR) 4- or TLR9-mediated Mitogen-activated Protein Kinases Activation and Pro-inflammatory Responses in Murine Macrophages. Journal of Ginseng Research. 2007; 31( 4): 181-190.
1Yuan HD, et al. Beneficial effects of IH-901 on glucose and lipid metabolisms via activating adenosine monophosphate–activated protein kinase and phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase pathways. Metabolism Clinical and Experimental. 2011;60: 43–51.
iLakshmi T, et al. Panax Ginseng: A universal panacea in the herbal medicine pharmacological spectrum – A review. Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical and Clinical Research. 2011;4(S1):14-18.
ii Thorne Research. Panax Ginseng Monograph. Alternative Medicine Review. 2009;14(2):172-176.
iii Reay JL, et al. Panax ginseng improves aspects of working memory performance and subjective ratings of calmness in healthy young adults. Hum Psychopharmacol. 2010;25(6):462-71.
iv Choi KT. Botanical characteristics, pharmacological effects and medicinal components of Korean Panax ginseng C A Meyer. Acta Pharmacol Sin. 2008; 29 (9): 1109–1118.
vKo SK, et al. Analysis of Ginsenosides of White and Red Ginseng Concentrates. Korean Food Science and Technology. 2003;35:536-539.
vi Xiang-guo L, et al. Ginsenoside Content in The Leaves and Roots of Panax ginseng at Different Ages. Life Science Journal. 2012;9(4):679-683.
vii Leung KW and Wong AST. Pharmacology of ginsenosides: a literature review. Chinese Medicine. 2010; 5(20):1-7.
viii Hasagawa H. Proof of mysterious efficacy of ginseng: basic and clinical trials: Metabolic activation of ginsenoside: Deglycosylation by intestinal bacteria and esterification with fatty acid. Journal of Pharmacological Sciences. 2004;95:153-157.
ixRamesh T, et al. Effect of fermented Panax ginseng extract (GINST) on oxidative stress and antioxidant activities in major organs of aged rats. Exp Gerontol. 2012 . 47(1):77-84.
xKitaoka K et al. Fermented Ginseng Improves the First-Night Effect in Humans. Sleep. 2009;32(3):413-421.
xi Lee HU, et al. Hepatoprotective effect of ginsenoside Rb1 and compound K on tert-butyl hydroperoxide-induced liver injury. Liver International. 2005;25: 1069–1073.
xii Yang CS, et al. Compound K (CK) Rich Fractions from Korean Red Ginseng Inhibit Toll-like Receptor (TLR) 4- or TLR9-mediated Mitogen-activated Protein Kinases Activation and Pro-inflammatory Responses in Murine Macrophages. Journal of Ginseng Research. 2007; 31( 4): 181-190.
xiii Yuan HD, et al. Beneficial effects of IH-901 on glucose and lipid metabolisms via activating adenosine monophosphate–activated protein kinase and phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase pathways. Metabolism Clinical and Experimental. 2011;60: 43–51.