MAINE MOUNTAIN GINSENG

WHO WE ARE

	Maine Mountain Ginseng was one of the first ginseng growers in Maine.    We are proud to have been the very first grower licensed under our state's ginseng program.    The company is owned and operated by the Jones family of Winslow, Maine.    Our growing areas are on mountainsides and hillsides in Maine's Appalachian Mountains where the air is pure and clean and the soil is rich with natural humus. We are unlike most commercial growers.    The majority of such growers produce what is known as "cultivated" ginseng.    That is grown very densely under artificial shade.    The resulting monoculture becomes a breeding ground for fungal diseases in the plants.    That in turn requires very frequent sprayings of strong chemical fungicides which are registered with the EPA.    For purely business reasons ( to reduce risk and maximize profits ), most cultivated ginseng roots are grown only for 3 or 4 years. Our approach is quite different.    We plant in natural woodlands with a canopy of leaves and branches providing shade.    Our plants grow at a much lower density.   This means less risk of disease and more soil nutrients to nourish the ginseng plants.    The bio-active compounds (ginsenosides) in ginseng spike in the 5th year of growth.      (See the reference at the bottom of this page.)     To help achieve high potency, we keep our ginseng in the ground for at least 6 years.    During that time, our crop is exposed to the extra years of risk that most other growers never have to be concerned about.     We know it is well worth it though.     Our superior quality ginseng tells the story. Organic growing methods are strictly a matter of conscience for us.     We view ouselves as stewards of the land and want to protect it now and for future generations.     We also want to be sure our ginseng provides health benefits not health problems.     Our product is not "certified organic" however.     As our woodland growing areas lack absolute security, we prefer not to draw attention to them - even by a certifying authority.            As a result, our customers get organic ginseng without paying the extra premium added to the price. We keep up with the research done by others; and we also do some growing research of our own.    Each year we grow trial plots where we test new procedures, grow from seeds of different origins, and work with vairous organic substances to continue to provide the absolute maximum in healthfulness and quality for you, our customer. WE GROW THE VERY FINEST AMERICAN GINSENG.  WERE WE THE CUSTOMER, THIS IS SPECIFICALLY THE GINSENG WE WOULD WANT TO PURCHASE FOR OURSELVES AND OUR FAMILY.    TRY OUR PRODUCTS AND EXPERIENCE THE QUALITY OF MAINE MOUNTAIN GINSENG. RERERENCE:    Soldati, F. and Tanaka, O.,1984.Panax ginseng,C.A.Meyer:Relationship Between age of Plant and Content of Ginsenosides.Planta Medica 5(4):351-352.