How to Dig Ginseng Root
Ginseng is a highly sought-after root that has been used for thousands of years for its medicinal properties, leading to over-harvesting. It takes ginseng farmers 3 to 6 years to raise a crop to full maturity, while wild ginseng can take up to 8 years. Ginseng can only be harvested during a designated season, which varies from state to state, and new seeds must be planted after harvesting. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Mature ginseng plant
- License or permission to harvest wild ginseng
- Pitchfork
- Drying screen
Instructions
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Digging Ginseng Root
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1
Wait until the plant has grown to full maturity. By law, wild ginseng root must be at least 5 years old before being harvested. If you have grown your own ginseng, wait 5 to 7 years, until the plant reaches full maturity, before harvesting.
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2
Harvest ginseng roots in the fall, as the above-ground foliage starts to turn brown or die back. Ginseng roots grow at a 45-degree angle, not straight down like other types of plant roots.
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3
Dig under the root with a pitchfork. Gently expose the underground stem, located at the base of the above-ground foliage, and follow it until it joins the top of the true root. Expose the entire root, as the taproot may be forked, with many different rootlets.
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4
Wash the root gently once it is out of the ground. If desired, soak in cool water to remove extra dirt, but it is fine to leave soil around the root rings.
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5
Place cleaned roots on a screen rack. Dry from a few days (for small roots) to three weeks (for large roots).
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Tips & Warnings
Check with your state's department of agriculture for specific laws and rules for growing and harvesting wild ginseng or commercial ginseng.
The small root hairs contain the most medicinal properties and should be gently handled so that they do not break off during harvesting.
Do not dig wild ginseng in national parks, on government owned land or on private property that is not yours; it is illegal.
It is also illegal, under federal law, to dig plants that are less than 5 years old.
