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.The following notes have been extracted, with the authors' permission from a series of Agnotes, most of which were developed by Ian Knox, of the Oz Rural Web site (http://www.ozrural.com), for the database of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment, which can also be accessed through the NRE Web site (http://www.nre.vic.gov.au).
Product
Ginseng is a deciduous perennial, native to the Northern Hemisphere. It is important in traditional Chinese medicine. The two commercial species are Korean Ginseng (Panax ginseng) from Asia and American Ginseng (Panax quinquefolium) from North America.
Ginseng roots are traded fresh or dried or are powdered and capsulated. The active ginsenocides, when isolated, have separate effects, such as stimulating the central nervous system, balancing metabolic processes, improving digestive function, decreasing blood sugar, improving muscle tone, stimulating the endocrine system, and aiding the immune system.
Local and export markets are ready to accept good quality Australian-grown ginseng root.
Production requirements are described in the Agriculture Note available through http://www.ozrural.com or http://www.nre.vic.gov.au.
Marketing
The major export markets in Asia seek fresh or dried organically grown, aged ginseng root which resembles the wild-crafted product. Australia could have a marketing advantage through being able to harvest when producers overseas cannot.
For further information, contact:
Australian Ginseng Growers Association Inc
430 Mt Eirene Road
PO Box 250
Gembrook Victoria 3783
Telephone: 03 5968 1877
Facsimile: 03 5968 1877
Department of Primary Industry & Fisheries
New Town Laboratories
St Johns Avenue
New Town Tasmania 7008
Telephone: 03 6233 6833
Facsimile: 03 6228 5936
Primary Options Pty Ltd
12 Coolibah Court
Mt Crosby Queensland 4306
Telephone: 07 3201 1027
Facsimile: 07 3201 2794
References
Bailey, WG, Whitehead, C, Proctor, JTA, and Kyle, JT
The Challenges of the 21st Century
Proceedings of the International Ginseng Conference
Vancouver, 1994.
Simon Fraser University
Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada.
Fred and Charlene Hosemans
Ginseng Growing in Australia
Published and distributed by Gembrook Organic Ginseng
Mount Eirene Road
Gembrook Victoria 3783
Telephone: 03 5968 1321
Facsimile: 03 5968 1321
Hyde, KW (Ed)
New Rural Industries - A Handbook for Farmers and Investors
Available from the Rural Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC)
Kingston, ACT 2600
Telephone: 02 6272 4539
Facsimile: 02 6272 5877
Email: rirdc@netinfo.com.au
Web site: http://www.rirdc.gov.au
Price: AUD40+8 (postage); AUD40+14 (postage overseas)
The chapter on ginseng by Charlene Hosemans is available from:
http://www.rirdc.gov.au/pub/handbook/ginseng.html
S. Persons
American Ginseng - Green Gold.
Bright Mountain Books
Available from Gembrook Organic Ginseng
Australian Ginseng - Crop Establishment Research
Final Report of Project No. POP-1A
Publication No. 99/21
Available from the Rural Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC)
Kingston, ACT 2600
Telephone: 02 6272 4539
Facsimile: 02 6272 5877
Email: rirdc@netinfo.com.au
The full report is available at the RIRDC Web site:
http://www.rirdc.gov.au/reports/Index.htm
Any claims made by authors in the Australian New Crops Newsletter are presented by the Editors in good faith. Readers would be wise to critically examine the circumstances associated with any claims to determine the applicability of such claims to their specific set of circumstances. This material can be reproduced, with the provision that the source and the author (or editors, if applicable) are acknowledged and the use is for information or educational purposes. Contact with the original author is probably wise since the material may require updating or amendment if used in other publications. Material sourced from the Australian New Crops Newsletter cannot be used out of context or for commercial purposes not related to its original purpose in the newsletter
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[
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GK; latest update 17 October 2001 by: RF