If you have questions, contact your state natural resource or agriculture department for more details. The American Herbal Products Association is also a resource for state laws and regulations. In Canada, it is illegal to harvest wild ginseng, and it is classified as endangered both nationally and in Ontario and Québec. The export of wild roots in Canada is prohibited.
If you are interested in a certain area, check the USDA map[2] X Research source to see if ginseng has ever grown there before. This will greatly increase your chances of finding some ginseng. Remember that the combination of shade and moisture create the best environment for ginseng to grow. Go to forests that have Beech Trees, Maple Trees, Hickory trees, Oak Trees, Basswood Trees, and Tulip Poplar Trees. Ginseng grows well in the shade of these trees. If you begin to harvest late into the season, you may have more difficulty finding ginseng. Look for deep, dark soil that is loose and covered with leaf litter.
These companion plants include trillium (Trillium spp. ), bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis), cohosh (Caulophyllum thalictroides -blue, Actaea racemosa-black), jack-in-the-pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum ), wild yam (Dioscorea villosa), goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis), and Solomon’s seal (Polygonatum biflorum). Poison Ivy is not considered a companion plant.
Ginseng can be hard to spot. However once you find the first plant, it will be easier to find more. Ginseng changes as it develops. If the plant is immature, you will see a single stem with only 3 leaflets total. As the plant matures, each leaf will consist of 3 to 7 leaflets. A ginseng patch will have plants of all different stages of growth. [4] X Research source You can find ginseng in both small groups and as solitary plants. It may be helpful to look at pictures of the ginseng plant before you go hunting or take a more experienced hunter with you.
For more information on sustainable harvesting methods, see:
Be respectful of nearby plants and try not to disturb them. If the plant is close to immature ginseng plants, use a smaller tool such as a stout flat blade screwdriver about 8 or 10 inches (20. 3 or 25. 4 cm) long, and work with extra care. If there is any risk of damaging the roots of adjacent immature ginseng plants, do not attempt to harvest the plant. After you have dug the root out, squeeze the red fruits into the palm of your hand and plant the seeds about 1 inch (2. 5 cm) under the soil near the harvested plant. Never remove ginseng seeds or immature plants from the woods.
Make sure the roots are not touching and let them dry on a wooden rack or screen tray in a well-ventilated room between 70–100 °F (21–38 °C). Never dry your roots in the oven, microwave, direct sunlight, or in a car window (i. g. placing the root near the back window of your car). Check your roots periodically as they are drying. If you see any mold or discoloration, adjust the temperature or airflow. Roots should easily snap into two pieces when they are completely dry. It will probably take 1 to 2 weeks to dry your ginseng roots.
Some U. S. Forest Service National Forests issue harvest permits for wild ginseng while other National Forests prohibit the harvest of ginseng. Check with the National Forest in your area to know whether ginseng harvesting is allowed. The harvest of wild ginseng on U. S. National Parks is strictly prohibited.
For every year of growth, a stem scar will appear on the root neck of the plant. The plants you harvest should have at least 4 stem scars. You don’t need to remove the plant from the ground to count stem scars. Simply, remove the soil from around the area where the root neck is. If the berries are still green, the plant isn’t ready for you to harvest.
Your international shipments will only be permitted if you harvested the roots according to all regulations and the shipment is not detrimental to the survival of the American ginseng population.
Once your application is approved, your Master File is established. You will then have to get single-use permits for each of one your exports. Your application to export wild ginseng will be valid for one year.
