SYLVAN BOTANICALS

Encourages you to "Adopt" Wild Ginseng Roots in order to protect them from being dried and exported.

by Scott Harris

September 21, 2000

As the Y2K ginseng season ends, so have the lives of thousands upon thousands of our Native American Ginseng Plants. Dug, dried, exported and destined for consumption, they are gone forever from the American woodlands.

Historical documents indicate that the ginseng plant was reported to be "scarce" as early as 1800. Over the next 100 years, the practice of over-harvesting wild ginseng continued as the prices steadily rose for the exceedingly rare and valuable American root. In order to continue supplying ginseng to the Orient, the secrets of successful propagation had to be explored.

Early attempts at cultivation proved futile to the growers of this new "crop". The elusive ginseng plant resisted being tamed. Disease wiped out most of the larger ginseng gardens in the early 1900's. With the discovery of new and mildly effective spray compounds, many gardens were saved from total destruction. These remedies proved to be a temporary fix, as the diseases returned yearly with a vengeance. The only answer to the problem proved to be the most logical one, return the ginseng to the woodlands where it had originated and flourished practically disease-free. Individual part-time growers that maintained small gardens of ginseng enjoyed a modest, but steady profit. Planting their ginseng in a manner consistent with nature proved successful. This method is referred to in modern terms as "wild simulated" ginseng. Millions of ginseng seeds were planted throughout the northeast using this method. It is my theory that many of the ginseng plants found today are most likely the offspring of those planted back into the woods over a hundred years ago.

"Wild simulated" ginseng can best be described as "a ginseng plant whose very existence is the result of direct human intervention by way of the planting of seeds or young transplanted rootlets into an area that would naturally support wild ginseng and then allowed to endure the elements of nature without benefit of any further human assistance or care".

Although the large corporate ginseng growers eventually showed small profits, all but a few claimed bankruptcy, to the dismay of many distraught and broken investors. Ironically, the few corporate growers that did manage to survive are currently purchasing large tracts of wooded lands and transplanting their field-grown ginseng into raised beds. Old habits die hard with this group of growers and the spraying continues. The trees are dying, the soil has been contaminated and rendered lifeless through the use of systemic pesticides, fungicides, herbicides and chemical fertilizers. What drastic measures they must resort to in order to label their over-the-counter products as "woodsgrown ginseng", thus further confusing the unknowing consumer!

Whereas, the small woodland grower has prevailed because of their choice to follow the example set by the ginseng plant. The key to success is patience combined with slow and steady growth. The ancestors of the original growers still ethically harvest ginseng from gardens that were started over a century ago.

1895 Ginseng Garden

Once harvested, the golden root is carefully washed under running water, properly dried and then sold to licensed ginseng dealers, who in turn sell them to Asian and American buyers. Nearly all of the dried American ginseng roots are exported to Hong Kong. Upon arrival in China, the roots are sorted and graded as to quality, age, size and shape. The roots are then distributed through government-controlled auctions to buyers throughout Asia. Reports of individual roots bringing upwards of $30,000 each are greatly exaggerated and only encourage out-of-season poaching.

Here at Sylvan Botanicals, well-meaning plant conservation enthusiasts often confront us with the following question: "If you are so concerned about the preservation of the wild ginseng, why do you purchase wild ginseng roots"? A logical question indeed! I am convinced that the following explanation will allow the reader to depart in full agreement with our practices.

The simple fact is that ginseng has been dug for nearly 300 years in North America and will continue to be harvested as long as there is a demand for the root. It is our goal to "adopt" as many of these roots as possible and transplant them into our own secure gardens. In doing so, we are permitting the plants to remain alive in order to produce seed for future generations. We are not only saving the plant from the unpardonable and imminent death sentence of being dried for consumption, we are propagating new plants from the seeds. We do not buy dried ginseng roots, as they are lifeless and are of no value to us for replanting.

When we purchase fresh wild ginseng roots, you can be assured that the large majority of them will be replanted. Unfortunately, no matter how carefully a root is dug, there is always a chance that it may be damaged in the process. Accidental cuts and slices into the root body, broken rhizomes (necks), rodent and insect damage are the primary reasons for the culling of a root. Roots not deemed transplantable are used in the making of our high quality ginseng products or sold to local medical professionals and herbalists. After all, what good is a medicinal plant if it is not used for medicinal purposes?

It is not uncommon for an experienced wildcrafter to dig 3-4 pounds of fresh root and be home before dark. Last year, we opened the season by paying our diggers $125.00 per pound for freshly dug ginseng roots. Please note that prices vary from year to year according to market demand. As you can see, the digging of wild ginseng can be quite lucrative. Many families depend on this yearly extra income for buying school clothes, paying taxes, medical bills or to be used at Christmas time. Roots from the northeast states, especially the high quality roots found in New York, have consistently brought higher prices than roots from the southern states. We deal with a small elite group of ethical wildcrafters that are experts in the methods of harvesting and in keeping the roots in the freshest condition possible, which guarantees us a higher rate of transplanting success.

1000 Wild Ginseng Roots
Replanted by Sylvan Botanicals

Let me assure you that the Sylvan Botanicals "Wild Ginseng Adoption Project" requires a large amount of capital investment. Yes, it is an investment and our mission to save the wild ginseng plants is not without a small degree of selfishness on our part. The plants are used in various research projects, as well as future source of  seeds.

We also offer a limited amount of mature *certified legal "Catskill Wild Ginseng" roots to shade gardeners for use as an ornamental addition to their gardens and to those who want to start growing ginseng with wild rootstock. The prospective new grower or home gardeners planting site must meet certain criteria that are friendly to the successful cultivation of the unique Catskill Mountain Wild Ginseng. In simpler terms, we refuse to sell our mature wild roots to anyone that cannot provide the proper growing environment. Please contact us for prices and availability. Our wild roots are sold in lots of 10. Prices will vary depending on the age of the rootstock.

Transplanted Wild New York Ginseng

In addition to adopting thousands of wild plants each year, we are also involved in planting ginseng seeds back into the wild. Our wildcrafters are given seeds to plant back into an area of their choice. Private plantings at never-to-be-disclosed sites are conducted each fall. We plant approximately 25,000 seeds back into the wild each year.