Health Benefits of Ginseng and It's Origins

Ginseng is a major player in the world of herbs. So what are the health benefits of ginseng? Curious as to when is ginseng in season and where to buy ginseng root? See the many ginseng uses and how it could boost your health, learn how to use this medicinal plant today! So what is ginseng anyway?

What is ginseng?

Ginseng is a root used in many herbal preparations, with many touting the benefits of drinking ginseng tea. It has been used to boost virility, energy, and overall health for centuries, you can even read about early settlers like Daniel Boone and ginseng later on in this article. 

Ginseng grows in many areas and many want to know where is the ginseng capital of the world? While many varieties of ginseng are available worldwide, the largest source of ginseng is American ginseng and comes from Wausau, Wisconsin, the ginseng capital of the world. With many ginseng uses for a variety of health concern, this plant is expected to remain popular in the future as well for growers and sellers alike. So you may be wondering where did ginseng originate from anyway?

So where did ginseng originate from?

Ginseng was predominately found in cooler regions of the world but may grow in some warmer climates such as South China. 

Ginseng is thought to have originally come from Korea, Northern China, and Russia. This is specifically true of wild ginseng, which can also be found in North America in the United States and Canada. American ginseng is very popular in China, but particularly the wild harvested varieties, these types are thought to be better for many ginseng uses due to higher potentcy. Now you may be wondering where to buy ginseng root since it is available mostly in cooler climates, but we'll cover that in just a few minutes.

Appalachian ginseng

If you live in Appalachia you've probably heard of Appalachian Ginseng referred to as Sang and know that it is a valuable wild root in this region for the many benefits of drinking ginseng tea or other home remedies in the area.

Many Appalachian residents take advantage of the many ginseng uses or sell the root to others for profit. Here in North Carolina poaching has been a major problem in recent years. It's important for ginseng or sang to have ample time to grow (7 to 10 years on average). When poachers come along they may rip up everything in their path and destroy precious ginseng beds in days. This takes cash, health, and future ginseng crops from our region. We'll talk about this more in the section how to harvest ginseng down below. So what did we say about Daniel Boone and ginseng earlier?

As promised...Daniel Boone and ginseng

Turns out even Daniel Boone was into to the sang or ginseng trade in West Virginia and many pioneers may have known about ginseng uses for their own health too.

The enterprising frontiersman shipped several pounds (a barge load full) of ginseng to Philadelphia. This was from a wild harvest in the cold months and deep winter of 1787. It seems the ginseng did not make it to Philadelphia as the barge was swamped along the way. So he put his wits to work and sent harvesters back for more of that high-quality Appalachian ginseng. So this trade is as old as the settlers to the Appalachian mountains and possibly even older.  So with Daniel Boone harvesting this crop in the winter you may be wondering when is ginseng in season anyway?

When is ginseng in season?

You'll notice above that with Daniel Boone and ginseng the harvest season was in the winter, but that may not be the case everywhere. So the wuestion when is ginseng in season doesn't have a one size fits all answer. 

That depends on your region really. In North Carolina, the season runs through autumn to early spring. Harvest seasons are designed to allow for quality harvests and for the repopulation of ginseng as the ripe, red seeds drop to the forest floor to allow for new crops in the coming years. To learn about ginseng harvesting laws and dates in your region click here. You may also visit the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for more information on the harvest and growth of American Ginseng.

How to harvest ginseng?

If you are looking for information on how to harvest ginseng a local, experienced harvester may be your best bet to get it right the first time. 

Harvesting ginseng is a very tedious thing, but it can be very rewarding. Here in North Carolina, the harvest season comes in the autumn and ginseng is plentiful in the forests here. If ginseng is on your land you can feel free to harvest mature roots (see guidelines for your state) during the appropriate harvest season. When harvesting it's important to carefully dig around the root with clean tools or fingers in super soft or sandy soils to avoid damaging the root. Before digging be sure you ask when is ginseng in season in my area and if needed, get permission from the landowner where you'll be harvesting if it isn't your own land.

After harvesting your ginseng you'll want to allow it to dry. Dry ginseng in a warm dry place, an attic is a wonderful place in the autumn to dry those roots. You can use fruit drying tools, but it could damage the quality of your final product. Once roots are dry you can keep those goodies just for you or sell them to a legitimate buyer. Be sure to check the price per pound during your growing season to get the best prices for your crop. These prices, like other crop prices, may change yearly and vary widely. So you may be wondering if you're up to the task of harvesting or where to buy ginseng root instead.

Where to buy ginseng root?

Again, just like harvesting, the question of where to buy ginseng root may be answered best by a local experienced buyer if you plan to purchase ginseng from your own area. 

Ginseng can also be purchased from a merchant. Online ginseng sales have skyrocketed in the last few years. With the internet, you can have your pick of local ginseng, Korean, Chinese, Russian, Canadian ginseng, and more. Amazon has some great sellers for ginseng that may tempt you (Psst this blog contains affiliate links which may support the running of this blog and my home. Affiliate links add no additional cost to your purchase.) If you are buying ginseng locally then you'll still want to ask when is ginseng in season in my area so you can get the freshest roots after the drying process is complete.

Ginseng Uses

Many ginseng uses can be found in modern and ancient herbal guides. Ginseng can be used in capsules as a daily supplement, be sure to read the directions on the packaging from your chosen supplier.

It can be used as a tincture, where alcohol, like vodka, has been used to extract the alcohol-soluble oils from the ginseng root. Other uses include brewing ginseng tea. This involves slicing or grating ginseng into a mug, covering it with boiling water, covering the mug and letting it steep for 15 minutes or so. Sweeten with honey and drink according to your chosen use. I usually use herbs according to the condition I'm using them for.

Cautions for using ginseng, should I take ginseng?

You may be wondering, should I take ginseng? Pregnant and breastfeeding mothers should ask a healthcare provider before using ginseng. Ginseng may also raise blood pressure, cause insomnia, restlessness, vomiting, and diarrhea, and many other physical side effects. 

Ginseng could also cause nosebleeds and chest pain in those with heart conditions as well. If you have high blood pressure or have had a heart attack or stroke, then ginseng may not be right for you. As with all things consult your health care provider before beginning or stopping any medications. So ask your provider should I take ginseng? It's also important to buy a quality root so before you start taking this supplement it's important to learn where to buy ginseng root first.

As always thanks for stopping by and we'll see you next time at Secular Homemaking! :)