West Virginia Ginseng

From the American Heritage Dictionary– Ginseng - Any of several plants of the genus Panax, especially P. pseudoginseng of eastern Asia or P. quinquefolius of North America, having small greenish flowers grouped in umbels, palmately compound leaves, and forked roots believed to have medicinal properties.

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Ginseng was becoming so scarce a few years ago that a season was put on digging it in West Virginia. The season begins August 15th. This gives the berries of the plant an opportunity to get ripe and fall from the plant. Ginsenging is a very lucrative pastime. In 2006, it was selling for 300 to 500 dollars a dry pound depending on where it was sold. It takes about three pounds of wet ginseng to make one pound of dry.

Hunting ginseng has always been a part of West Virginia’s heritage. That aspect of our heritage is quickly disappearing. Nowadays, the younger generations are more involved with computers, game consoles and watching TV.

Personally I have always enjoyed looking for ginseng. Granted, I haven’t made a lot of money from this hobby, but I have earned my fair share. Ginseng thrives on the wet side of the mountain. If you get into an area where you find Black Cohosh then most likely you will also find ginseng, at least that has been my experience. Another good place to find the plant is anywhere frequented by the wild turkey as turkey love the berries. Some of the largest plants I have ever found have been in vines and thick undergrowth. Roosting and hiding places for turkey.

There are a few other plants in the mountains that closely resemble this plant to the inexperienced ginseng hunter. But, once you learn ginseng by sight, you will find that nothing else resembles it. In an earlier post, I discussed Indian Turnip and how, from a distance, it can fool even the experienced ginseng hunter because of the bright red berries. The photo below explains why this is so when compared with the Indian Turnip photo.

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From Wikipedia

Traditional Uses–
Both American and Panax (Asian) ginseng rhizomes are taken orally as adaptogens, aphrodisiacs, nourishing stimulants, and in the treatment of type II diabetes, including sexual dysfunction in men. The rhizome is most often available in dried form, either in whole or sliced form. Ginseng leaf, although not as highly prized, is sometimes also used; as with the rhizome it is most often available in dried form.

This ingredient may also be found in some popular Energy Drinks: usually the “tea” varieties or Functional Foods. Usually ginseng is in subclinical doses and it does not have measurable medicinal effects. It can be found in cosmetic preparations as well, with similar lack of effect. It is considered a wasteful use of important herbs by herbalists.

Ginseng root can be double steamed with chicken meat as a soup.

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In late fall, ginseng can be readily identified by the yellowing of the plant. Something unique about the yellowed dying plant is that every leaf turns the same shade of yellow. A lot of plants that start dying out are multi-colored from green to yellow to brown. All of the characteristics visible at the same time. Ginseng, on the other hand, goes through the process of dying with the entire plant changing colors evenly. The bright yellow of the dying plant is unmistakable and can be seen by the experienced hunter from a great distance. Also, after dark and with a flashlight, when the beam of the light strikes the plant it appears to glow after the plant has turned yellow.

Now, when I am in the woods I like to look for the plant but I leave it undisturbed because of it’s classification as endangered. I just like looking for it.

Happy Hunting!!! And remember to be safe and careful while out hiking West Virginia’s backwoods. Or better yet, be safe and careful while hiking period.

Have a great day!!!

Adding to this post… Ginseng range of distribution in the US -
Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin

From Here

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