Last updated: October 15, 2026
If you are buying Canadian-grown American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) in Montreal, ask two things before you look at the root. What shows where it was grown? Who stands behind it? Appearance tells you about size, age and grade. Paperwork, logos and the seller tell you about origin. This guide covers what to check.
What is Canadian American ginseng?
American ginseng, also called North American ginseng, is the root of Panax quinquefolius. It is a different species from Asian ginseng (Panax ginseng). The plant has a long connection to Montreal: in the summer of 1716 the Jesuit missionary Joseph-François Lafitau found it near the Mohawk village of Kahnawà:ke (Sault-Saint-Louis), south of Montreal, after asking local Iroquois people about it. They already knew the plant, and he described it in print in 1718 (sources: Dictionary of Canadian Biography; Wikipedia, American ginseng).
Today, cultivated American ginseng is grown commercially in Ontario. The Ontario Ginseng Growers Association (OGGA) says its more than 150 growers have the largest production of North American ginseng in the world (ginsengontario.com).
Why does authenticity matter when you buy ginseng?
Ginseng is sold by age, grade and origin, and the price changes accordingly. Canadian growers have publicly raised concerns about Asian-grown ginseng being sold as Canadian (see for example New West Record). Scientific work on ginseng authentication describes laboratory methods for confirming what a sample actually is (for example the 2020 review "A Review of Authenticity and Authentication of Commercial Ginseng Herbal Medicines and Food Supplements", Frontiers in Pharmacology). That is not something a shopper can do at the counter.
Ginseng grown in another country is still real ginseng. What matters is that the label tells you honestly where it was grown.
Can you tell where a ginseng root was grown just by looking at it?
Not reliably. Size, shape, color, the wrinkles on the skin and the weight of a root help you judge age and grade, and an experienced buyer can learn a great deal from them. But they do not prove the country or farm where the root was grown. For origin, ask the seller and look at the documents.
What should you look for to buy with confidence?
- Buy from a retailer on the official list. OGGA publishes a list of buyers and retailers on ginsengontario.com. Check that the shop is listed.
- Look for the OGGA "Running Root" logo on consumer products. OGGA says the logo shows the product is grown in Ontario soil and is 100 percent North American ginseng.
- Ask where the ginseng comes from. A reliable seller can tell you the product line, the age of the root (for example 4-year, 5-year or 6-year) and where it was sourced.
- Be wary of "wild Canadian ginseng" offers. The Government of Canada says only cultivated American ginseng can be legally traded in Canada, and possessing wild ginseng collected in Canada is prohibited.
- Keep the documents. If you plan to travel with the ginseng, you need paperwork anyway (see the next section).
Do you need a permit to travel with Canadian ginseng?
Whole or sliced ginseng roots, fresh or dried, fall under CITES, and exporting them from Canada requires a Canadian CITES export permit issued by the Canadian Wildlife Service. Processed products such as powders, pills, extracts, teas and confectionery are generally not covered. The Government of Canada explains the rules on its American ginseng page. Our own guide, Travelling with Ginseng, covers what to bring when you leave Canada. Always check the current rules for your destination before you travel.
How does Fosetter source its ginseng?
Fosetter is a ginseng and dried-goods shop at 78 Rue De La Gauchetière Ouest in Montreal's Chinatown, and ships within Canada. We are listed on the OGGA's official buyer list (Fosetter International Trading Inc.), and we say we were the first company in Quebec to become an OGGA member. Our Canadian ginseng is sold under the NATIVE ULTRA label and is supplied directly by farms approved by the OGGA. We sell only Canadian-grown American ginseng.
When you buy whole or sliced roots from us, we provide the CITES export permit documents free of charge, so you can carry the ginseng out of Canada. See Travelling with Ginseng for the details.
Quick answers
Is American ginseng the same as Asian ginseng? No. They are different species, Panax quinquefolius and Panax ginseng.
Where is cultivated American ginseng grown in Canada? Commercial production is concentrated in Ontario, according to the Ontario Ginseng Growers Association.
Does a CITES permit apply to ginseng powder? The Government of Canada says permits apply to whole or sliced roots, not to processed products such as powders, pills, extracts or teas.
What is the single best check when buying? Buy from a seller listed by OGGA and ask for documentation.
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