Issue No 6, July 1996.

NOTICE: Hard copies of the Australian New Crops Newsletter are available from the publisher, Dr Rob Fletcher. Details of availability are included in the Advice on Publications Available.

15.1. Ginseng (Panax spp.)

Ginseng is the common name given to a number of deciduous, perennial, forest plant species belonging to the genera Panax and Eleutherococcus (Family Araliaceae). 'Ginseng' means man-root or man-essence in Chinese, while the Latin translation of Panax is panacea or cure-all.

Depending on the particular authority, there are from five to eleven species of Panax. Of these, Panax quinquefolium (commonly called American ginseng) and Panax ginseng (usually referred to as Korean or Asian ginseng) are thought to have exceptional curative properties.

Ginseng has been used in Chinese herbal medicine for at least 5000 years. All ancient texts on Korean ginseng mention its use as a tonic or restorative that will bring the body back into balance as expressed in the Chinese philosophy of yin and yang. Although American ginseng was generally not considered of any medicinal value in the US until about 1905, it has been prized in China for it's medical purposes for several hundred years.

The 'king of herbal medicines', was probably first used as a food and only later for its tonic and healing properties. While the roots are traditionally the main commercial product, other plant parts are also exploited for medicinal use. Ginseng-derived products include fresh roots, whole dried roots (sundried, steamed, sugared or skinless), capsules of dried product, instant tea granules and bottled tonics, soft drinks, soups, wines, candies, and various herbal and cosmetic preparations

In its wild state, ginseng grows mainly in the deep shade of mixed hardwood forests, but is sometimes found among evergreens. The natural range of American ginseng is eastern North America, including southern Canada. The natural range of Asian ginseng covers North China, Korea, Manchuria, North Japan, Nepal and Siberia. Both species are similar in appearance and chemical composition, and it has been suggested that ginseng may have reached North America from Asia via an ancient land bridge between Alaska and Siberia.

There are three basic methods of ginseng production:

• wild-simulated - seeds are scattered in the woods/bush under trees to produce roots in a cultural system resembling the growing conditions of wild ginseng,
• woods/bush cultivation - intensive cultivation under trees in a woods/bush setting, and
• intensive cultivation - intensive cultivation using wooden lath or shade cloth.

Careful site selection is essential for ginseng cultivation. Ginseng requires a freely-draining soil, low humidity, up to 95% shade, and does not grow well on sites that have grown ginseng previously. A prolonged cold stratification period is essential for both shoot emergence and seed germination in the spring, although low temperature requirements may be met artificially by refrigeration of seed prior to sowing. Despite this cold requirement, ginseng has little resistance to diseases (notably Phytophthora and Cylindrocarpon) which thrive in cool wet conditions.

Climatic conditions suitable for ginseng cultivation are reported to be mild and relatively dry with four distinct seasons and moderate day/night temperature fluctuations. An average annual temperature of 0.9-13.8°C with a summer average of 2025°C, and an average annual rainfall of 1,200 mm are considered optimal. However, the existing macro-climate can be modified to simulate the native habitat of ginseng.

International trading of ginseng began in the Third century AD, when envoys from Korea brought the Chinese emperor ginseng roots in exchange for valuable Chinese commodities. Although traditionally harvested from the wild, increasing demand from China led to excessive exploitation of wild ginseng and the virtual extinction of this plant in its native habitat, both in Asia and North America, creating the need for intensive cultivation of ginseng in significant amounts by the early 1900s. As a result, ginseng has been developed as a horticultural crop on both sides of the Pacific.

The first record of artificial cultivation in Korea dates to the reign of the Yi Dynasty's king Sun Jo (1567 to 1608), when both seeds and seedlings of wild-ginseng were planted in the forests. Ginseng was first discovered in Canada in 1704 by Michael Sarrasin, the King's physician to Canada. In 1714 Father Jartoux, a Jesuit priest, published 'The Description of a Tartarian Plant called Gin-seng', which led to the re-discovery of wild American ginseng in Canada in 1716 by a fellow Jesuit.

However, roots of American ginseng had been historically used by Canadian Indians for increasing the fertility of women, abating headaches, cramps, fevers, rheumatism, coughing, and as a tonic to increase mental powers. Successful cultivation began around 1870 and cultivation under artificial shade in Ontario, primarily under wooden lath screens, began in about 1890.

At present, approximately 90% of American ginseng is produced in North America. Most of this crop is thought to be produced under artificial shade in capital intensive, mechanised farming operations. The area planted to artificially-grown ginseng in Wisconsin is believed to be in the order of 3400 ha. In addition to the artificially grown product there are 366 ha of wild-simulated American ginseng grown throughout North America.

British Columbia is situated adjacent to the markets of the Pacific rim, and has a large and rapidly expanding domestic Asian population. It is home to Chai-Na-Ta, the largest individual producer of American ginseng in the world, who alone grows in excess of 500 ha. At present, over 730 ha are produced under shade by around 125 growers in British Columbia. In 1993, approximately 227 272 dry kg of ginseng, worth CAN$21 million, were produced. Most of this was exported as dry root or in a value-added form. Approximately 607 ha is shade-grown in Ontario, Canada, by 250 growers and a smaller area is planted in Nova Scotia. It was expected that production would reach 900 000 kg by 1995.

Korea is the world's largest producer of Asian ginseng. At present, ginseng cultivation occurs throughout almost all of Korea. In 1991, Korea produced about 1200 tonnes of ginseng from about 2000 ha, yielding around 600 kg/ha. Production in 1991 was worth over $500 million per annum.

Hong Kong is currently the major world centre for the ginseng trade. The Hong Kong trade statistics recorded over 3 million kg/year of ginseng imports and re-exports since the end of 1990. The international retail market is estimated to be worth $3.5 billion. In 1992, the main exporting countries, in decreasing order of production, were China, Korea, USA, Canada, and Japan. China has become the largest recipient of ginseng re-exports from Hong Kong; the annual volume reportedly increasing five-fold between 1986 and 1991.

Australia currently imports in excess of 12,000 kg of ginseng products, estimated at A$4 million per annum. Most imports are in processed forms, such as tablets, capsules and tonics, and are readily available from a wide range of herbalists, naturopaths, health food stores, pharmacies and supermarkets. The consumption of these products in Australia is expected to rise due to an increase in South East Asian immigrants and an increasing demand for health products. This potential rise is illustrated by the rise in imports from 4,110 kg in 1989 to 10,807 kg in 1992. With virtually no local stock to draw from, Australia has to fill it's ginseng needs from overseas.

The only established commercial ginseng grower in Australia, Gembrook Organic Ginseng has been in operation since about 1983. Gembrook's current area of production is approximately 0.8 ha. While American ginseng is the principal product, some Asian ginseng seeds have more recently been imported.

In 1992, the Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries, Hobart, Tasmania, in conjunction with the Private Sector and Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC), commenced trial work aimed at evaluating the commercial potential for ginseng production in Tasmania. It is believed that the general mystique surrounding ginseng growing and the lack of available germplasm coupled with basic technical inexperience and a lack of agronomic information has prevented past development of this crop in Tasmania.

Preliminary results of field trials suggest that it is unlikely Tasmania could compete with an intensive cultivation system, such as is predominantly employed in the US and Canada. A bush-cultivated system, which produces roots similar to the wild-grown product, and which is less susceptible to damage by pests and disease, would appear to be more suited to Tasmanian conditions. If grown successfully in Tasmania's perceived clean environment, a low capital cost woods/bush-grown product has considerable export and import replacement potential. Based on current figures, it appears feasible that a $10 million industry could be established over the next 10 to 15 years.

Ginseng trials established in New Zealand by Mr John Follett and co-workers have also provided valuable insight into growing ginseng in a maritime climate, and have established the possibility of intercropping with Pinus radiata.

A recent workshop series in Tasmania organised by the New Crops Group of the Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries, at which internationally-recognised woodland ginseng grower Scott Persons presented a seminar, attracted more than 90 potential growers. The New Crops Group is currently implementing a grower's network to assist the development of a ginseng industry for Tasmania.

Contact: Dr Rob Fletcher, School of Land and Food, The University of Queensland Gatton College, 4345; Telephone: 07 5460 1311 or 07 5460 1301; Facsimile: 07 5460 1112; International facsimile: 61 7 5460 1112; Email: r.fletcher@mailbox.uq.edu.au

[New Crops Home Page] [New Crops Program] [Australian New Crops Newsletter] [New Crops Publications] [Order Form] [People] [Crop Profiles] [Other Resources]

originally created by: GK; latest update 6 June 1999 by: RF