How does a 4:1 extract differ from ordinary ginseng root powder, and why does it matter? — Chinese ginseng extract N90 vegan capsules.HERBIN

A 4:1 extract is a concentrated form of the raw material: to obtain 500 mg of such an extract, the manufacturer uses 2000 mg of the original dried root. In other words, one capsule contains four times more of the original plant material than it would if it were simply filled with ground root.

For the buyer, this means a few practical things. First, a smaller capsule for the same amount of active compounds — there is no need to take several large tablets. Second, extraction makes it possible to preserve and concentrate ginsenosides — natural compounds considered to be the key active substances of ginseng root. In raw powder their concentration depends on the quality and age of the particular root and can vary considerably.

It is important to understand that an extract is neither a synthetic substance nor an isolate: it is still a plant product, just in a more compact and concentrated form. That is why extract forms of ginseng are found more often in quality food supplements than plain root powder.

When choosing a ginseng supplement, look at the extraction ratio stated on the packaging — it is one of the few objective indicators of a product's concentration that can be compared across different brands.