Good Ginseng Day (Ii Ninjin no Hi)

What Is Good Ginseng Day?

January 12th is "Ii Ninjin no Hi" (Good Ginseng Day) in Japan, established by Korea Ginseng Corporation Japan, maker and distributor of the premium Korean ginseng brand "Cheong Kwan Jang." The date comes from a pun on "i (1) i (1) ni (2) njin" ("good ginseng"), and also marks the day in 2012 when the company held its founding anniversary party.

Highlighting the Health Benefits of Korean Ginseng

The anniversary carries a wish to help more people discover the appeal of Korean ginseng, long valued for its health benefits.

• What Korean ginseng is: the root of a plant grown mainly on the Korean Peninsula, traditionally used to support vitality and overall health
• The "Cheong Kwan Jang" brand: produced under strict quality control as the only Korean ginseng brand certified by the government of South Korea
• Its purpose: to raise awareness in Japan of Korean ginseng as an ingredient and its health benefits

How It Differs From an Ordinary Carrot

Hearing "Ii Ninjin no Hi," you might picture the everyday vegetable carrot, but the "ninjin" in this anniversary refers to Korean ginseng (Panax ginseng), a plant in the Araliaceae family -- an entirely different plant from the carrot, a vegetable in the Apiaceae family.

Tips for Marking This Day

• Try a product or dish made with Korean ginseng
• Learn about the difference between Korean ginseng and the vegetable carrot
• Trace the long history of how Korean ginseng has been used since ancient times
• Think about health-supporting ingredients you could incorporate into your own routine

Ancient Wisdom About Health, Hidden Behind a Playful Pun

Behind the friendly pun of "ii ninjin" (good ginseng) lies deep respect for a plant with thousands of years of history. Let January 12th be a chance to take a fresh look at Korean ginseng as an ingredient that nurtures the body.