Since the early 1700s, people in much of eastern North America have foraged in the woods for wild ginseng root, highly prized as a cure-all in Asia and popular worldwide in herbal medicines, foods and tonics. But a new study from the World Wildlife Fund finds that supplies of wild ginseng are dwindling in the United States, in places even to the point of extinction.
In seven of the 34 states where ginseng occurs naturally, most of which do little to regulate its harvest or protect it, the valuable root is on the verge of disappearing. Nine states have placed ginseng on a "watch" list or designated it as a species of special concern. While overharvesting and even poaching are contributing threats, fund researcher Christopher Robbins said the main problem is loss of habitat, particularly in parts of Appalachia. Ginseng grows on the shady forest floor in mature stands of hardwood, which often are felled by loggers or for develop- ment.
Yet, Mr. Robbins said, " Ginseng is culturally and commercially one of the most valuable nontimber forest products on Earth." A pound of ginseng root - the name comes from the Chinese ren shen, or "shaped like a man" - can bring around $300. The main market is Hong Kong, where 89 percent of U.S. wild ginseng exports wind up and where they bring up to 10 times as much as Asian varieties.
The plant grows slowly, not reaching a harvest stage for more than seven years and often living upwards of 60 years. The root is brewed in teas, chewed raw, used as an ingredient in cooking and even worn around the neck for good luck.
Kentucky produces almost a fourth of the nation's wild ginseng, followed by West Virginia, Tennessee, Ohio and Virginia. In 1996, the wild harvest was estimated at more than 29,000 pounds.
Because wild ginseng harvesting amounts simply to poking around in the woods, its profit potential is drawing more and more people. U.S. Customs figures reflect growth in exports of wild ginseng roots from $12 mmillion in 1990 to more than $32 million in 1996.
Regulation of ginseng picking at the state level is spotty.
Some, like Minnesota, have a definite ginseng season and require permits much like fishing does in order to collect the roots.
Chris Carl, who harvests wild ginseng in the woods near his home in Altura, Minn., said the state season runs from Sept. 1 to December, regulated by rules including a requirement that seeds be replanted near the spot where the root is harvested.
Other states have few rules, however. The Forest Service requires permits for diggers on its land, but little monitoring is done.
Because of the inconsistency and a lack of money for oversight, the World Wildlife Fund study concluded that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service lacks sufficient information to make the needed moves to protect ginseng at the federal level.
Then there are the poachers.
The World Wildlife Fund study found that in the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee and North Carolina, park rangers seized 1,259 roots from poachers in 1996, a sharp increase from 734 seized in 1991.
- BY : Curt Anderson
- SOURCE : The Cincinnati Enquirer1998.06.11
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