Intro music: Beautiful Medicine chant

Plants & Their Friends with Robert Eidus originally aired on WART 95.5 FM.

Visit www.wartfm.org to learn more.

Ginseng is very susceptible to fungus and as a result, it is sprayed with a variety of fungicides to reduce the chances of the plant building up a tolerance to just one chemical. Consumed as a holistic herb taken for general well-being, the residue of fungicides on the root is considered a harmful additive which detracts from its healing properties.

Robert Eidus, owner of Eagle Feather Organic Farm, explains how ginseng is not regulated for the presence of fungicides and as a result, much of the ginseng that is sold for public consumption is tainted with harmful chemicals. There is an alternative form of ginseng and that is in a wild-grown or wild-simulated root without the use of fungicides. Robert explains the organic method he uses to ‘immunize’ ginseng against the soil-born fungus.

By steeping goldenseal roots and rhizomes in hot water, he makes a concentrated tea that he uses to wash the soil in the raised beds. Once the soil has been washed with the antibacterial and antimicrobial properties of goldenseal, the ginseng seeds are then planted. To combat air-born fungus, Robert sprays the ginseng seedlings with horsetail. After it rains, a new coating of horsetail spray should be applied. While this method may be more feasible for smaller patches of ginseng, growing ginseng and goldenseal together may help reduce the spread of fungus such as phytophthora.

Provided courtesy of Forest Farming. Find them on YouTube at www.youtube.com/channel/UCA-ZP07pEpCzWuGGeI1veWQ

New York city grown, Organic American Ginseng
July 18, 2013.

“I gave no shade, no pesticide and no chemical fertilizer…just water. This year I add worm casting from my worm farm. By adding it, some of the ginseng prong had 7 leaves, which is unheard of. I read somewhere that the maximum of leaves per prong is 6. I bought my seed from Robert Eidus, North Carolina Ginseng & Goldenseal Co.”

Reported from YCBI September 13, 2001 by
Beverly Whitehead and Bobbie Ammons

Yellow Creek Botanical Institute, Inc. (YCBI) sponsored a Natural Products Tour on August 23 and 24, 2001 to illustrate economic opportunities in herb growing, processing and production for local people.

The five businesses toured included Red Moon Herbs in Black Mountain, We-Du Nursery in Marion, the North Carolina Ginseng and Goldenseal Company in Marshall, the Mountain Horticultural Crops Research and Extension Center in Fletcher, and Gaia Herbs in Brevard. YCBI provided transportation and lodging for everyone on the tour. The idea for the tour originated with Robin Suggs of YCBI. He and Rob Jordan were responsible for the grant that funded the event and Rob Jordan made the arrangements.

We learned there are two places in the world that grow over 250 different herbs, Manchuria, China and western North Carolina. As a result Gaia Herbs, a 15 year old herbal remedy company, moved here from Massachusetts in 1995 to be closer to the source of their product with the intent of growing their own organic herbs. Jeanine Davis and a group of scientists at the Mountain Horticultural Crops Research Station are currently doing research on different growing conditions to help local growers produce herbs as commercial crops. Several of the people on the tour have test plots of Golden Seal and are monitoring them for the Specialty Crops Program study.

The first stop on the Natural Products Tour was Red Moon Herbs in Black Mountain. Red Moon Herbs “mission is to handcraft wild and organic herbal medicines that preserve the spirit of the plants and provide our community with simple, accessible health care.” Jessica Godino, founder of Red Moon Herbs, and Corinna Wood, a Certified Herbalist, showed us the facility where they make wildcrafted and organic herbal medicines. They explained the cold processing methods used to make extracts, oils, salves, and vinegars. As women and mothers of young children they have a special interest in women’s health issues and products. They teach classes and retail Red Moon products through catalog sales, the Internet, and health food stores.

With a greenhouse for propagation, plenty of water and a long shaded slice of land against Polly Spout Road in Marion, We-Du Nursery, is in its twentieth year of business, and was our second stop. Owned and operated by Dennis Niemeyer and Joani Lawarre, it is primarily a mail order nursery which grows over 4000 species of plants and ships over 250,000 plants a year all over the United States. Specializing in “essential natives and rare native plants their motto is “We-Du Natives and Other Neat Stuff”. They are open for retail sales in the Spring ONLY on Friday and Saturdays April – May and in the Fall for sales ONLY on Friday and Saturdays September – October. The rest of the year is dedicated to their mail order business.

The North Carolina Ginseng & Goldenseal Company in Marshall, NC was the third stop. Robert Eidus talked to us about the difference in microorganisms between shaded soil versus sunny soil. He said Dr. Elaine Ingram’s (1-888-LANDCARE) work in soil biology indicates that shaded soil has 75% fungi to 25% bacteria, but soils in direct sunlight have 25% fungi to 75% bacteria. To balance shaded soil he recommended adding composted pine bark, manure and vegetable compost. Then he led us up a trail and through the woods identifying growing conditions and plants. Robert said that the presence of maidenhair fern appears to indicate the proper environment for golden seal, ginsing, and bloodroot. An advocate of companion planting he said, “It seems the more diverse the vegetation is in an area the healthier the plants are.”

Friday morning started at the Mountain Horticultural Crops Research Station in Fletcher. Dr. Jeanine Davis told us that the Specialty Crops Program went statewide this year and added medicinal herbs, including ginseng, black cohosh, goldenseal, and ramps. Just like any traditional crop, optimum soil pH, mineral and trace element levels are being studied. American Botanical Labs tests products such as ginseng to determine purity levels. The lab is finding that a significant amount of ginseng imported into the USA is contaminated. Dr. Davis said that if we cultivate in controlled conditions in USA, we could set the standard for the world market.

While looking at shade cloth covered herb beds she exclaimed, “do not use straw for mulch! In WNC, slugs and diseases love it. Pine straw is okay and leaves are great!” She referred us to Peaceful Valley Farm Supply’s Website for natural pesticides which would not jeopardize organic farm certification. Recognizing that Agritourism can bring more money into our area she said that, “tourists to NC are willing to pay a high price for an experience of nature, like navigating through a corn maze. People will travel a great distance to walk a different maze.” In creating more moneymaking opportunities for farmers, Dr. Davis is looking at other types of crops for maze making such as sunflowers.

At GAIA HERBS in Brevard, our last stop, Greg Cumberford, the Business Operations Director and Daniel Vickers, the Raw Materials Inventory Manager gave us a walking tour of the outside tree orchards, the greenhouse, the cultivated open fields and the product production area where the herbs are processed into tinctures. Chemists check each batch to insure that the active ingredients of each remedy meet Gaia’s exacting standards prior to bottling and labeling. If not, the tincture is placed in a warmed centrifuge for evaporation and intensification of the active ingredients until Gaia’s standards are met. Then the tinctures are bottled, labeled and distributed to health stores and health practitioners.

As we were leaving Gaia, Greg and Daniel asked about the Smoky Mountain Native Plant Association. We told them SMNPA was comprised of local farmers, growers, and wild crafters. They said that within three years the demand for Gaia’s products would exceed their farm production capacity. As a result they are looking for local growers who would grow specifically for Gaia’s herbal needs. They offered to come to Graham County to provide organic growing advice, seed, and technical assistance if we would grow herbs for them.

After visiting all the sites Avi Askey said he learned that “no site is perfect, you have to make the best of what you have” …as long as you’re in the Southern Appalachians almost any piece of land will grow herbs.

Those participating in the tour were Karen Hurtubise, Ransom Cornett, Beverly Whitehead, Bobby Ammons, Joanne Parrott, Avi Askey, Tony Odom, Star Lightfoot, Jack Whisnant, Jim Weeks, and John and Priscella Carswell, Rob Jordan and Robin Suggs. Jack Whisnant said the, “trip set my agenda for the next couple years. I have a clearer understanding of what needs to be done to make this possible. In addition to the plants “creativity and marketing are important. A good business plan and marketing plan are critical.” Everyone had a great time, learned a lot and laughed a lot.

Yellow Creek Botanical Institute is also sponsoring the next educational opportunity geared toward the region’s production of native plants. On September 28 and 29, 2001 “Growing Opportunities in Native Plants, Part 2” will be held at the Hinton Rural Life Center in Hayesville. Call Rob Jordan at 828-479-4733 for information.

Quotes From the Tour:

“The first day we saw small businesses with 1-2 people, the second day we saw a large operation. It showed me how we can start out and where we could end up. Whether it’s a two-person business or a manufacturing plant, the process of distilling herbal essences into tinctures is the same.” – Ransom Cornett

“I learned more in two days than I had …in three years of seminars and reading on how to start my own herb farm.” – Bobbie Ammons

“I learned about different kinds of growing practices and marketing opportunities” – Joanne Parrott

“The most valuable for me was “connecting with neighbors and people in the trade to work towards a local network for marketing and sharing information.” – Avi Askey

“I learned that western NC offers the unique growing conditions necessary for the maximum variety and highest quality herb production. – Beverly Whitehead

The tour showed me how economically viable herbal production can be. There is an increasing need. There is money to be made in raising herbs.” – Beverly Whitehead

Comments:

Clodhopper
Jun-17-01, 10:39 PM (EDT)

“Re: Herb Farming”
There were some posts a while back talking about Robert Eidus, who runs North Carolina Ginseng & Goldenseal Co. here in Madison County. I went out to his place on Friday and took a tour of what he has going on there, and it’s pretty interesting. He grows and processes all kinds of natural medicinal herbs and plants and seems to be quite knowledgeable in those areas. I was mostly interested in ginseng, but apparently there are many other naturally growing herbs and plants in these mountains that have medicinal value. So at this point, I am still trying to learn more about this type of farming and will probably avail myself of his services in the future. If anyone has any thoughts or information on this subject, I would appreciate hearing about it.

freedom
Jun-19-01, 05:44 PM (EDT)

“RE: Herb Farming”
Clod, here’s another source for seed: http://www.seedsexpress.com.
Also, this site is one that offers info as well as goldenseal: http://www.mountainfarm.com/index.htm
Good luck!

ronstewart
Jun-20-01, 10:54 PM (EDT)

“RE: Herb Farming”
This is something i have always wanted to get into, after working with people for years this would be a welcome respite. Someday, post all the info you can on this, i am listening.

From Dr. Ingham’s Monthly E-Zine, Issue #15, April 2001
greenwave@unisun.org

Did you know…

The vast majority of ginseng in the world has been sprayed with chemicals, especially fungicides. Some ginseng plants are also sprayed with pesticides and herbicides. There is a sacred relationship between the earth, the air and the water for ginseng to grow. To grow “wild” the plants are found traditionally in hardwood forests under a canopy of tall dense deciduous trees. Usually the slope is facing North in rich humus soil and it is surrounded by companion plants. Since it is a root it absorbs the natural minerals from the soil. Research has indicated that it may not be possible to regrow a root in the same exact spot for many years, since it depletes the soil. New research into natural herbal fungicides is being conducted at Eagle Feather Farm.

The ginseng that is cultivated can be farmed in raised beds, like in Wisconsin, or in “woodsgrown” beds like in the mountain and foothill forests of the East Coast of America. What occurs when large numbers of ginseng plants are grown in close proximity is that a fungus appears, every time. As the fungus moves in the beds it creates a circle and in a short period of time destroys the entire bed. A typical bed can have thousands of plants and be worth tens of thousands of dollars. As far as we know the only way to eliminate the fungus is to spray the plants. The fungicide, pesticide or herbicide is then absorbed into the root. It is not known if the chemicals are toxic.

The two types of ginseng are different in the following ways: the wild organic root is knarled, ringed with wrinkles, small, light weight and has a bitter woodsy taste. The cultivated root is larger, heavier, smoother, tastes sweeter and smells different. The 1994 price on the world market for dried roots were ninety (90) percent more for the wild organic roots. Studies in 1986 show that 94% of the organic wild American Ginseng is purchased by the Chinese in the Pacific Rim. The Orient, mostly from Hong Kong, sells the most chemicalized ginseng back to us for American consumption. This not to say that fungicided ginseng does not have ginsenicides, it does. However it would also include chemicals with possible toxin build up in the body which most people would not want to ingest. Unfortunately, the ginseng industry does not tell you the negative effects of its products.

Learn everything you wanted to know about Ginseng and keep up on the hot political issues regarding foreign imports of this important commodity.

by Diana Schmitt –
Madison County Sentinel, September 8, 1999, page 18.

Eagle Feather Farm, at first glance, doesn’t not look like a typical farm — there are no tractors, open fields, or barns. What you will find instead is shady southern Appalachian forest.

Robert Eidus, owner and operator of the farm, raises ginseng, goldenseal and other native medicinal herbs as well as Chinese herbs.

The 30-acre-tract upon which Eidus’ farm rests lies off Indigo Bunting Rd. near Barnard. Eidus mentions that this is a “famous piece of land”, as it once belonged to Howard Allen, known for having “pulled everybody out to the ditches of Madison County.”

Also famous to the land is the 27-foot deep fishing hole on the French Broad River.

Eidus purchased the land in 1980 and made the final move to the area in 1993 when he founded the North Carolina Ginseng and Goldenseal Company.

Eidus, a former “urbanite from the Northeast,” found himself drawn to the cultivation of ginseng and goldenseal by at least two events. In 1992 he attended an historical conference by Dr. Jeanine Davis on ginseng.

He soon after discovered ginseng on his property and learned that goldenseal is endangered in North Carolina. Since then he has felt called to make the herbs available to others

According to Eidus, North America and China are the only places on the globe where ginseng exists natively. North Carolina produces 9,000 pounds of ginseng per year. 94% of this goes to Hong Kong for processing. It takes approximately 400 roots to make one pound.

Madison County currently ranks second in North Carolina, behind Jackson, for ginseng exportation at an average of 800 pounds per year. This is likely due to the fact that 78% of Madison is forest- -the habitat that ginseng naturally thrives in.

The majority of Madison’s ginseng is ‘wild crafted’ This means harvesters are not involved in the cultivation of the plant. They merely walk the mountain habitat and collect the roots as they find them.

What Eidus is doing is very unusual. He is cultivating his plants in the wild and not exporting them. He stated that he is the “only person who deals with it from seeds and roots to the final products.” He believes American ginseng should go to Americans. As well, because he is cultivating the plants in their native habitat, they are organic.

This in contrast to standard commercial cultivation in areas such as Wisconsin where plants are cultivated in raised beds and sprayed heavily everyday with chemicals to prevent fungus. Plants are then exported to Hong Kong for processing.

Two factors increase the cost of ginseng by twofold – – commercial cultivation and exportation of the roots. Whether wild crafter or cultivated, to Hong Kong for processing. The price of one pound increased from $300 to $ 600.

“The best roots are wild ones,” stated Eidus. It is healthier and cheaper to use local, wild organic roots.

Eidus believes that ginseng is “the most remarkable plant on the planet because it affects the most parts of the body of any plant.” Ginseng is ideally a tonic for the preservation of the whole body. It should be considered a holistic aid to better health, rather than medication for a particular symptom.

Traditionally, Eidus relates that ginseng has been touted to: increase fertility, increase red blood cell count, increase brain activity, aid in sleep disorders, regulated blood sugar in diabetics, increase energy, lower stress levels, and generally produces a longer life.

Eidus’ vision for Eagle Feather Farm is “to get excellent quality products to the public.” He wants his farm to become an educational center, to demonstrate sustainable farming of the forest, proper composting, and efficient solar energy and water usage.

As part of this educational intent, Eagle feather Farm will be one of six farms on the 1999 Mountain Farm Tour. The tour is highlighting small farms in Madison and Buncombe counties using a variety of approaches to sustainable practices.

In addition, Eagle Feather Farm is a member of the North Carolina Herb Association and the Mars Hill farmers’ market.

Eagle Feather Farm has a license from the state of NC to purchase ginseng for export. There are approximately 9,000 lbs of NC ginseng sold to Hong Kong each year. In Madison County, NC, where Eagle Feather Farm is located, there were approximately 800 lbs collected. Each harvester has to complete a NC state form, indicating the county where the ginseng was harvested, the date, plus the pounds. Wild ginseng looks, tastes, and smells different from cultivated and sprayed ginseng.

When the 1-26 corridor was opened, Eidus made 29 native plant rescues. He was able to save numerous species which otherwise would have been bulldozed. Eidus offers tours of the farm and holds yearly spring conference, “Food is Medicine, Medicine is Food.”

Eagle Feather Farm is young and growing. Presently the farm offers tonic and corrective tinctures, on, two and three-year-old ginseng roots for planting, goldenseal roots, and seeds from five states.

“I am on of the only people selling organic ginseng in eastern America,” comments Eidus. Unfortunately, he can’t produce it all yet and must accept some roots and seeds from other farms which are not organic.

“Nobody is selling organic,” stated Eidus. He looks forward to a time when his farm is able to produce his entire inventory organically. And he hopes that as organic becomes important to more and more people, there will be some competition.