How Do You Identify A Mature Wild Ginseng Plant?
Ginseng has been used as an herbal medicine for thousands of years in countries like China and Korea. In America, Native Americans also used the wild ginseng that grows throughout the land. American ginseng has not only been overharvested but also improperly harvested. It is important that only mature ginseng be harvested. Since ginseng can grow for up to 100 years, there are many stages of the plant’s life and certain identifying features that indicate it is a mature plant. Usually, a wild mature ginseng plant is 5 years or older. Know your state laws. Some states have laws that regulate the harvesting of ginseng. They include how many prongs the ginseng must have and where you can’t harvest, such as state land. Some states even require a permit to harvest ginseng. If you improperly harvest ginseng, you may be fined (see Resources below for more information). Look for ginseng plants. Generally, ginseng grows east of the Mississippi River and in Oregon and Washington states. In hot sou
