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Celebrate Ontario Ginseng With Us!

We are happy to support Ontario ginseng growers through our Buyer Membership in the Ontario Ginseng Growers Association(OGGA). Ontario Ginseng is the most potent and, we feel, the best “ginseng taste” of all the American Ginseng areas.  

What the OGGA Does

The Association supports and funds research on ginseng and new production or harvesting technologies.  They have played an important role, working with growers, industry organizations and local and federal governments to help open up markets around the world. 

They have contributed to research that makes it possible for growers to use biological controls. This has helped farmers find products that reduce the risk of disease and negative environmental threats.

Ontario farmers and premium ginseng

North American Ginseng from Ontario is world-renowned due to the clean air, water and exceptional terroir it is grown in. The ginseng grown by these experienced families is free from contaminants, heavy metals, and disease. This multi-year crop requires massive amounts of investment, both in time and money.

In order to grow ginseng, sandy loam is the best soil type, which contains plenty of organic matter and allows good drainage.  Ontario farms ensure the soil’s pH is between 6.0 to 6.5 so the growing plants can effectively get the proper nutrients from the soil and can avoid bacterial diseases. Even before ginseng is planted, lots of work goes into preparing the site. Expert consultations help farmers to decide how much liming is necessary and the best setup for drainage.

Usually using seeds painstakingly gathered from the tiny berries from third-year plants, ginseng is planted under custom-made shade structures in long columns of earth with good drainage. Also in the third year, ginseng flowers are removed to increase the root size (up to 30%). Weeding is essential for plants of any age, but to keep the plant free from external contaminants, weeding is primarily done by hand.

Typically, commercial roots are dug by modified potato diggers. The exposed roots are then picked up by hand and placed in baskets. Then after washing and drying, the roots are sorted and graded before being stored in climate-controlled warehouses. Finally, it is ready to be sent around the world to enrich and benefit consumers.

OGGA Buyers

As a buyer, we commit to supporting Ontario ginseng farmers and the efforts of the Association.  Only ginseng root that is environmentally cultivated and properly documented can be sent to our customers overseas. Our tea temples and capsules don’t have the same export requirements. All the same, we commit to only using the best available to us so you can enjoy the essence of ginseng no matter where you are in the world. 

ginseng root with a nespresso machine and ginseng tea capsules
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Using Ginseng To Boost Energy Levels

Shorter days and less sunlight have many people feeling like a 1% battery. Caffeine and sugar can give a mini boost but are often followed by a crash. Many people look to natural ingredients that seem to help us stay energized and buzzing along. Does ginseng boost energy?

Ginseng Root has been used for ages across Asian countries, especially South Korea, Japan, and China. Many Korean studies have been carried out to test the effectiveness of Panax Ginseng on reducing fatigue and boosting energy levels. In fact, lots of Korean energy drinks have ginseng as an active ingredient. Traditional Chinese Medicine recommends ginseng supplements for many medical conditions (some examples include multiple sclerosis, blood pressure, and helping the immune system).

Does Ginseng really give you Energy?

Anecdotally, there are hundreds of Korean and Chinese people who will tell you ginseng supplements have increased their mental performance, helped their mental functions, and they had significant improvement in their wellbeing. It is only relatively recently that randomized controlled trials have been carried out on this herbal supplement in research institutes in Korea. Researchers have looked at everything from how standard doses affect mental fatigue if there is any improvement in cancer prevention. At this time, there is no universally accepted conclusion on the overall efficacy of healthy adults. For now, ginseng extracts keep their mystery.

Note: information here does not replace the expertise of your doctor. Consult with a professional before taking any supplements, especially if you have chronic underlying conditions. This information is gathered from reputable organizations around the world simply to inform.

A Research Study on Research Studies of Ginseng

In 2016, researchers at the National Cancer Centre in South Korea published a paper that analyzed the previous studies on ginseng’s effect on fatigue and athletic performance. They examined the study’s methodological quality, including the sample size, dosage amount, and controls. Interestingly, they noted where the study’s funding had come from (companies that manufacture ginseng goods or public institutions).

The researchers found that: “there was a significant efficacy of ginseng supplements on fatigue reduction…” This was based on the analysis of the studies and the randomly-controlled-trials that had been carried out as of 2016. They felt that more testing was needed to confirm this finding.

Exactly how ginseng has such a positive effect has not been clearly identified. One possibility is that ginseng was found to increase levels of dopamine and serotonin (among other chemicals) in the brain. Since ginseng seems to increase resistance to the stress of exercise while increasing or refreshing energy stores there is enough evidence to continue study on ginseng supplements on fatigue. 

The studies analyzed included healthy people from Western and Asian nations taking different species of ginseng. The paper cited many clinical trials and performed a comprehensive literature search. 

Efficacy of Ginseng in Cancer Patients

One study that was not included above was led by the American Mayo Clinic. Until this study, ginseng’s effects had not been tested extensively against the debilitating fatigue that occurs in up to 90 percent of cancer patients. 

This was a small scale study following 360 cancer patients who reported fatigue symptoms. After taking baseline measurements for how tired the participants felt, the 2 groups started taking either a ginseng supplement or a placebo. A researcher commented that after 8 weeks those taking pure, ground American ginseng were “feeling less pooped, worn out, and sluggish.” When measured, the fatigue scores of those taking the supplements were 100% better than those taking the placebo on average.

The team also made an important note on the type of supplement: if it is processed with other chemicals(such as ethanol, commonly used in making extracts), it would not provide the same benefits and maybe even have negative side effects.

Does Ginseng Boost Energy?

Against a historical backdrop of anecdotal evidence and Traditional Medicine claims, modern-day clinical trials are slowly coming across the same results. Science still has much to learn about the biological mechanisms that can reduce fatigue and boost energy, but there is growing clinical evidence for the efficacy of ginseng.

Talk to your doctor to make sure ginseng doesn’t conflict with any existing medication or conditions.