GET TO KNOW YOUR GROWERS
At Kozicki Ginseng, farming is truly a family affair. The Kozicki family have been successfully growing quality produce in Ontario since 1941. The business has been passed on from generation to generation, and today encompasses an impressive 400 acres, producing Ontario staples like tomatoes, peppers, pumpkins, sweet corn and more.
It was the 3rd generation of Kozicki’s, brothers Jon and Joseph, that took their love for agriculture, and made the decision to expand the family business into North American ginseng. Kozicki’s acquired Hare Farms in Norfolk County. In operation since 1969, the 30 shaded acres have been growing quality ginseng ever since, and the Kozicki family will continue to produce some of the best Canadian ginseng in the world on this same land.
Want to meet the growers, and see where it all happens? Then take a visit to their farm store, located on the property.
Getting to the Roots of North American Ginseng
The strain of ginseng grown in, and known as North American ginseng originated near Waterford, Ontario back in the 1890s. This native, wild ginseng plant was protected by Queen Elizabeth as an endangered species and so could not be harvested. The Hellyer brothers cultivated the first crop of North American ginseng in southwestern Ontario from a handful of berries picked from the wild plant. While they knew they would have to wait seven years for their first crop to grow, the patience paid off. The quality strain they developed in Ontario, Canada is the same strain that is grown today in gardens and fields all across North America. So when you hear North American ginseng or Canadian ginseng, remember at its roots, it is all Ontario ginseng.
“In June 2008, the Endangered Species Act, 2007, came into effect in Ontario, making it illegal to plant, harvest, possess, buy, sell, lease or trade ginseng collected from the wild in Ontario without authorization through a permit or agreement under the Act.
Under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), a permit is required for export of ginseng. This permit is necessary for field-cultivated roots but not for live plants, seeds or processed root.” (Ginseng Production in Ontario – History, www.omafra.gov.on.ca)
Kozicki Ginseng provides all the necessary permits required to export ginseng, or have you take it home from their farm store. So whether you shop online, by phone, or in their store, you can be confident that you are getting the best product, and won’t run into issues when returning home.
Why choose Canadian Ginseng?
Canadian ginseng is native to Ontario, and grows best in its natural environment. Our soil, air, and water quality make for perfect growing conditions for, what was originally, wild Canadian ginseng. When combined with committed growers, a strong growers association, and government regulation the result is the safest, best tasting, and highest potency ginseng in the world.
What is the difference between North American and Asian Ginseng?
The majority of North American ginseng is exported overseas, and used for traditional medicinal purposes. Canadian ginseng has been used for hundreds of years to help heal ailments. The two original and authentic ginsengs in the world are North American (panax quinquefolius) and Asian Ginseng (panax ginseng). The two differ in their chemical composition, and appear to have recognizably different effects on the body.
“From a traditional medicine point of view, these two types of ginsengs are thought to be complementary. For example, the Chinese perceive North American Ginseng to be more yin – meaning it is used to reduce ‘heat’ in the body. In comparison, Asian Ginseng is thought to be more yang – meaning it is used to raise ‘heat’ in the body. Heat, in the context of traditional Chinese medicine, does not have the same connotation as it does in North America.” – Ontario Ginseng Growers Association
Benefits of using Canadian Ginseng
Ginseng can be used to improve health, and relieve many ailments throughout each of our bodies systems. First Nations and Chinese medicine have long believed that the ginseng root is beneficial for every part of the body, and refer to it as the miracle “man-root”, because of its shape.
- Digestive System (Treat indigestion, loss of appetite, and nausea)
- Circulatory System (It’s antioxidant properties protect heart muscle cells from free radical damage, and has a neutral effect on heart rate)
- Nervous System (Improved memory, learning, cell protection and growth)
For more on the benefits of using North American (Canadian / Ontario) ginseng, visit our growers association site. Click to visit: Ontario Ginseng Growers Association
