Ginseng’s roots intertwine with West Virginia’s historical past and tradition

American ginseng is a singular herb native to the jap United States, identified for its man-shaped roots and medicinal properties. West Virginia ginseng harvest season began the primary of this month and can proceed till Nov. 30.

Ginseng is characterised by its giant teardrop-shaped leaves that fan out across the stem and a small cluster of pink berries sprouting from the middle. Beneath the soil, although, is a very powerful a part of the plant — the foundation. It comically resembles the human physique, sometimes with lengthy “arms” and “legs” extending from the principle a part of the foundation.

American ginseng’s scientific identify is Panax quinquefolius, the Greek “panax” which means all-healing. In Indigenous American, Appalachian and Chinese language medication, ginseng has been utilized in soup, tea, medication or chewing the foundation itself to alleviate ache, deal with infections, enhance vitality and deal with sicknesses comparable to colic and the widespread chilly. At instances, the roots have bought for a whole lot of {dollars} per pound because of worldwide demand. 

Because of its extremely sought-after qualities, it has turn out to be more and more extra uncommon, reaching the purpose of endangerment in West Virginia. With this comes a rise in ginseng-related violations recorded by the West Virginia Division of Forestry, largely offenses of harvesting out of season — throughout which the ginseng has no seeds to proceed the plant — and poaching of ginseng on non-public property.

State rules on ginseng harvesting have been very important to sustaining the plant for future generations. Ginseng vegetation should be not less than 5 years outdated and subsequently have not less than three prongs and have produced fruit this yr with the intention to be harvested. After harvesting, seeds from the plant must be planted on the web site. Ginseng is a slow-growing plant — its seeds require two years to germinate, and the plant itself takes 5 years to mature and reproduce.

“That is to proceed the plant. If a plant is harvested earlier than its seeds flip blood pink then the seeds is not going to germinate and also you lose a plant,” mentioned West Virginia Division of Forestry ginseng coordinator Robin Black.

As some of the closely forested states within the nation, with many cool, moist forests all through the mountains and valleys, West Virginia is a first-rate location for ginseng. The plant’s lengthy historical past in Appalachia dates again a whole lot of years, with its reputation starting to develop throughout the West Virginia mine wars of the 1900s.

“A number of the greatest ginseng harvests within the state had been throughout the Mine Strikes,” mentioned Black. “So the miner would dig ginseng, promote it and pay for Christmas or different payments.”

A long time later, ginseng harvesting stays a robust custom all through West Virginia. For some of us, it’s a option to make supplemental earnings, some use the plant for its medicinal qualities and others view it as a cultural custom handed alongside by their ancestors. Ginseng “looking grounds” are carefully guarded secrets and techniques, and enormous roots which might be particularly human-like in form are as beneficial as a 12-point buck. For a lot of, ginseng season is a time of pleasant competitors as folks benefit from the thrill of the hunt.

For these new to the ginseng recreation, the West Virginia Division of Forestry provides an summary of harvesting strategies and state ginseng rules at wvforestry.com/ginseng-program/.