As I enter my mid-40s, there are moments when I wonder, 'Am I going through menopause?' There are experiences of suddenly feeling flushed, sweating at night, and a decline in sleep quality — in facing these changes, it is natural to seek out health supplements.

Red ginseng is a raw material officially recognized for its functionality in 'menopausal women's health' by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety in 2014. Today, I will help you gain a proper understanding of menopause and red ginseng.

💡 You can find answers to these questions!

"Is it true that red ginseng helps menopausal women?"

"What does the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety's recognition of menopausal women's health functionality mean?"

"What results have been found in clinical studies?"

"How should it be taken to alleviate menopausal symptoms?"

What is menopause?

Menopause (更年期, menopause transition) is a period when a woman's reproductive function naturally changes, typically occurring between the mid-40s and early 50s. As the function of the ovaries declines, the secretion of female hormones (estrogens) decreases, consequently accompanying various physical and psychological changes.

※ Menopausal symptoms can vary greatly between individuals, and if symptoms are severe, it is advisable to consult a specialist in obstetrics and gynecology.

Ministry of Food and Drug Safety's endorsement: The functionality of red ginseng for 'menopausal women's health'

In 2014, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety officially recognized red ginseng as a functional ingredient that 'can help menopausal women's health.' This is based on scientifically verified content through animal studies and human clinical trials.

Source: Standards and specifications for health supplements, Ministry of Food and Drug Safety Notice No. 2024-79 (2024.12.9.)

📌 This functionality can only be indicated on red ginseng products that have the 'health supplement' certification mark, not on general red ginseng drinks or processed products. Be sure to check for the health supplement certification mark when purchasing.

Understanding red ginseng and menopausal women's health through clinical research

The functionality of red ginseng for menopausal women's health is based on various clinical research results. Here are some representative research findings.

⚠️ Look at it comprehensively: The effects of red ginseng on menopausal symptoms vary among studies. While some studies observed significant improvements, others reported no significant changes in hormone levels. Health supplements are not a substitute for medications, and in cases of severe menopausal symptoms, consulting a specialist is a priority.

Mechanism of action of red ginseng: Why is it gaining attention from menopausal women?

The reason red ginseng is noted in relation to menopausal women's health is that its ginsenoside components act in various ways.

Multifunctionality of red ginseng (composite action research)

• Improvement of blood circulation through inhibition of platelet aggregation — Attention to cardiovascular health in menopause

• Antioxidant function — Mitigating oxidative stress increases during menopause

• Improvement of fatigue — Managing fatigue, which is common during menopause

• Improvement of memory — Interest in cognitive function changes experienced during menopause

The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety recognizes 'menopausal women's health' as a distinct functional category and the daily intake of ginsenosides that applies to this functionality is 25~80mg.

Guide to selecting red ginseng products for menopausal women

If you expect the functionality of 'menopausal women's health,' choose products that meet the following criteria, not general red ginseng drinks.

Comparison with other menopausal health supplements

Various raw materials have been recognized for their functionality in menopausal women's health, in addition to red ginseng. The characteristic of red ginseng is that it is a multifunctional raw material recognized not only for menopausal women's health but also for fatigue improvement, antioxidant effects, improvement of blood circulation, memory enhancement, and more.

※ All functional raw materials are based on the recognition status of health functional ingredients by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. Since the suitable raw materials may vary depending on individual health status and the medications being taken, it is recommended to consult with professionals.

⚠️ Precautions for menopausal women taking red ginseng

• If menopausal symptoms are severe or if you are undergoing hormone therapy, be sure to consult with a specialist in obstetrics and gynecology before taking it.

• Since some studies have reported rare side effects such as vaginal bleeding, if you experience any adverse reactions, immediately stop taking it and seek medical attention.

• If you are taking anticoagulants or blood sugar control medications, it is essential to consult with a specialist.

• Health supplements are not medications and are not intended to treat menopausal disorders.

• Effects and reactions may vary depending on individual constitution.

✅ Key summary

• The functionality of red ginseng for 'menopausal women's health' was officially recognized by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety in 2014.

• Standard: Ginsenosides Rg1+Rb1+Rg3 25~80mg per day

• Improvement in menopausal symptom indicators reported in clinical studies (results vary depending on the study)

• A raw material that has various functionalities such as fatigue improvement, antioxidant effects, and blood circulation improvement.

• Be sure to check the health supplement certification mark and ginsenoside content when purchasing.

• If menopausal symptoms are severe, consulting a specialist in obstetrics and gynecology takes priority.

References

[1] Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, Standards and specifications for health supplements (Notice No. 2024-79, 2024.12.9.)
https://www.mfds.go.kr/brd/m_209/view.do?seq=44167

[2] Professor Seo Seok-kyo's team at Yonsei University Severance Hospital, Clinical trial on red ginseng and menopausal women's health, North American Menopause Society Journal https://m.ytn.co.kr/news_view.amp.php?param=0103_201111161523544456

[3] Pharmaceutical Journal, Red ginseng also effective for women's menopausal symptoms
https://www.kpanews.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=69632

[4] Herald Economy, Red ginseng and Angelica gigas pharmacopoeia alleviate menopause effects (2025)
https://biz.heraldcorp.com/article/1754372

[5] Health supplement trend report 2025, Open Survey
https://blog.opensurvey.co.kr/trendreport/health-supplement-2025