Wild Alabama Ginseng

Almost every Indian tribe used Ginseng for many kinds of medicinal reasons. Found plentiful in the Appalachian regions Ginseng has been used in many the same ways that it has been used in China thousands of years. American Indians have used Ginseng for colic, headaches, dysentery, croup, digestion aid, cramps, stimulants, and other medical issues.
Since man staked ground in the Appalachian Mountains they have been digging Ginseng to sale and trade. Every year the seng diggers take to the hills searching for patches of ginseng hoping to hit the mother load. There's gold in them hills and it has red berries.

Like many plants ginseng blends in with the others and can be hard to spot. If you are lucky you might find a plant with a ball full of red berries. Seng starts to turn a bright yellow color in fall and can be a little easier to spot.

I have had good luck finding wild Ginseng near creeks, but it also likes the higher elevation also. Look for good fertile soil with old growth forest. Think of it like this, the trees have been there longer most likely the ginseng has too. The older the plants the bigger the root, and big roots are the name of the game.

If you are on the wrong side of the mountain you could look for days and not find any. Ginseng prefers a certain climate and a certain amount of sunlight. I have found it in rocky areas as well as open woods. If you see a lot of pines it may be better to look in other areas since ginseng does not like pine trees.

Some dangers of digging Ginseng! Watch those big timber rattlers they really are the king of the woods. One bite from a timber rattler and most likely you will not make it out of the woods if you are too deep in. Remember to wear good hiking boots, not only will they keep you from turning an ankle but they are good protection. Wear some good blue jeans and carry a pack for all your goodies.

I prefer using a lug wrench for digging, great leverage for when you dig in between rocks. Also a large screwdriver works great and it is a little bit easier to carry. Remember when you find a plant be careful and clear away the leaves with your tool. Makes sure there are no snakes or scorpions under the leaves or in the area. I have ran across both in the northeast Alabama area!
I like to drive the digger into the ground about 3-4 inches from the root in all directions. When you dig down be sure to move the tool around and break up the soil all around the plant. Once the soil is broken up good it will be a lot easier to remove the root intact. Try not to hurt the root or break it off as you remove.

As a rule I try not to pick Ginseng that is too young. If I see where the plants have produced berries I will dig the root. Sometimes you might find a little plant and big root or a big plant small root, you just never can tell! When you do find some berries plant them around the area so more seng will grow.

Ginseng will not come up ever year and can take a lifetime to grow to a large mature plant. Wild Ginseng plants have been known to grow up to 4-5 foot tall with double decker braches, could you imagine the size of that root? What if you hit a patch with 500 plants, you would be one very tired and happy Ginseng digger!

In 2007 the wild Ginseng market rose up to $1000 a lb in the United States! We are talking about a root that can be compared to the price of gold! Some of the old time mountain folk have been digging and planting Ginseng since they could walk!

Professional diggers can make one hundred thousand a year or more on a good year. That is not uncommon for someone that has been planting and waiting for a big patch to mature. Remember it can take a really long time for the slow-growing plant to mature!

Good luck and happy Digging!

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