How to recognize the authenticity of ginseng?

Shape: the real ginseng is fusiform cylinder, the main root has transverse stripes on the shoulder and obvious longitudinal wrinkles, and it is gradually bifurcated downward into 2-3 lateral roots called ginseng legs, which are shorter and curved; there are many slender ginseng whiskers at the end of it.

Color: the surface is gray-yellow, and the cross-section is light yellow.

Taste: it has a special smell and is slightly sweet and bitter.

2. Red ginseng

Shape: the real ginseng is cylindrical, with longitudinal grooves and wrinkles on the surface of the body, transverse lines on the root, and 2-3 twisted and crossed ginseng legs on the lower part.

Color: the surface is translucent, reddish brown or dark red, and a few ginsengs are opaque with dark yellow patches.

Taste: smell a slight aroma, but taste, taste slightly sweet.

Counterfeit ginseng includes wild cowpea, capital orchid, mountain lettuce, shangde, orange root, scoparia, and so on. The main difference with the real ginseng is that there is no reed bowl in the rhizome, no ring pattern in the shoulder, the ginseng body has roots, the epidermis is rough, and the odor varies with a sense of irritation.