Ginseng In New Brunswick: Grow Or No?

Ginseng is a plant believed to have medicinal properties, including the ability to boost energy, lower blood sugar and cholesterol levels, and manage sexual dysfunction in men. It is native to North America and can be found growing wild in many areas, including New Brunswick. In fact, a photo of a ginseng plant in Bouctouche, New Brunswick, was taken in 1999 by Gérard Sirois. Ginseng can also be cultivated, and some people in New Brunswick have planted North American Ginseng seeds and roots in Maritime mature and mixed hardwood stands. However, the collection of wild ginseng has been regulated since 1978 due to the rise of illegal harvesting, which has put the plant at risk of becoming extinct.

Ginseng's medicinal properties

Ginseng is an herb that has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries. It is commonly referred to as the "King of all herbs" and is found to be a promising agent to improve general well-being. The herb contains two significant compounds: ginsenosides and gintonin. These compounds complement each other to provide health benefits. Here are some of the medicinal properties of ginseng:

• Boosting the immune system: Ginseng has been shown to increase the number of immune cells and enhance antioxidant levels in the liver. It may also help prevent infections.
• Improving brain function: Ginseng could help improve brain functions like memory, behaviour, and mood. It may also help ease stress and offer benefits for depression and anxiety.
• Improving erectile dysfunction: Ginseng may be a useful alternative for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. Certain compounds found in ginseng may protect against oxidative stress in the blood vessels and tissues of the penis to help restore normal function.
• Fighting tiredness and increasing energy levels: Ginseng has been shown to help ease fatigue and increase energy levels. It may also enhance physical performance.
• Lowering blood sugar: Ginseng seems to be beneficial in controlling blood sugar levels in people with and without diabetes. It may also increase insulin production and enhance the uptake of blood sugar in tissues.
• Potential benefits against cancer: Ginseng may be helpful in reducing the risk of certain cancers. Ginsenosides in this herb have been shown to help reduce inflammation and provide antioxidant protection.

Poaching and illegal harvesting of ginseng

Ginseng, a herb with medicinal properties, is a lucrative crop. However, it is also a slow-growing plant that takes years to mature, and its harvesting is heavily regulated. This makes it a target for poachers, who often dig up the plants from protected public land or private property, or harvest them out of season.

In the US, ginseng is indigenous to the eastern half of the country, including 19 states and two Canadian provinces. It is especially prevalent in Appalachia, where it has been traditionally harvested by mountain folk. However, since 1978, the collection of wild ginseng has been regulated, and it is now considered endangered in ten states and threatened in 16 others.

The high price of ginseng, coupled with the sluggish economy, has led to a rise in poaching. In the words of Wisconsin conservation warden Ed McCann, “It's lucrative to spend a day in the woods and walk out with $500 of ginseng in a bag when you don't have a job." Poachers often wear camouflage and face masks and carry makeshift tools such as tire irons and screwdrivers. They are willing to trespass on private property and ignore property lines in their search for ginseng.

Poaching has had a devastating impact on ginseng populations. Nora Murdock, an ecologist with the National Park Service, notes that “It's like taking bricks out of a building. You might not feel the first brick... but sooner or later, you're going to pull out too many." In addition to the ecological damage, poaching also has economic consequences, as legitimate growers and dealers can lose thousands of dollars worth of potential income.

To combat poaching, authorities have implemented various measures, such as marking ginseng roots with dye that is visible under black light, setting up trail cameras on ginseng patches, and requiring dealers to register and certify that their ginseng was harvested legally. However, the enforcement of these measures can be challenging due to the vast areas of forest that need to be monitored.

The issue of ginseng poaching is complex and nuanced, involving various stakeholders such as harvesters, growers, dealers, regulators, and conservationists. While some poachers are motivated by criminal intentions, others are driven by socioeconomic factors such as poverty and drug addiction. It is important to note that traditional diggers, who follow good practices and respect land ownership, are not usually the problem. Instead, it is the newer diggers, who are often sensacionalized by the media, that cause the most concern.

Ginseng growing conditions

Ginseng is a perennial herb that can be grown in your backyard, though it requires patience as it can take up to 18 months for seeds to germinate. It is a woodland plant, so aim to reproduce those conditions as much as possible.

Location

Ginseng grows in partial to full shade, with good air circulation. If you can't find a natural tree canopy to plant under, you can create your own with artificial structures. Select a well-shaded location with good drainage. Sloping ground with 75-80% shade is ideal. Ginseng prefers a loamy, deep, well-drained soil with a high organic content and a slightly acidic pH level.

Planting

Sow seeds 1 1/2 inches apart. Seeds will sprout in early to mid-spring, at which point, thin them to 3 inches apart. Seedlings should be planted immediately and watered. Seeds are typically sown in the fall, while roots should be planted in early spring.

Care

Ginseng will need little attention to develop. Refrain from fertilizing plants. Water ginseng grown outdoors when conditions are dry.

Harvesting

Ginseng is typically ready to be harvested after 5 to 10 years. It should be harvested in the fall. Carefully dig up the crop with a shovel so as not to damage the roots. Wash off the dirt, then dry your ginseng in a cool, dry, well-ventilated room.

The price of ginseng

Wild vs Cultivated Ginseng

There is a huge price difference between cultivated ginseng and wild ginseng. Wild ginseng is one of the most expensive herbs in the world and is considerably more valuable than commercially farmed ginseng. In 2012, the price of wild ginseng roots was around $50 per pound, while cultivated roots were selling for about $500 to $600 per pound. In 2013, elevated demand driven by exports pushed ginseng prices even higher. In 2019, the average price paid for ginseng in West Virginia was $550 per pound for dry ginseng and $160 per pound for green ginseng. In 2022, the wholesale price range for US ginseng roots was between $42.27 and $75.48 per pound, while the retail price range was between $60.39 and $107.83 per pound.

Origin of Ginseng

Form of Ginseng

The form in which the ginseng is sold also affects its price. "Green" or wet ginseng is freshly harvested and contains water. Dry ginseng, on the other hand, has been dehydrated. Green ginseng weighs three times as much as dry ginseng but sells for a fraction of the price. It takes about 300 wet ginseng roots to make one pound of dry ginseng.

Factors Affecting the Price of Ginseng

The history of ginseng in New Brunswick

Ginseng is a herb that has been used in traditional medicine for centuries. It was first discovered in the mountains of Manchuria, China, over 5000 years ago. It was revered by the Chinese people as a herb with many uses and was believed to be a cure for all ailments. The first written text covering the use of ginseng as a medicinal herb was the Shen Nong Pharmacopoeia, written in China in 196 AD.

Ginseng was introduced to Europe in the early Middle Ages by Arabian merchants and navigators. In the 1700s, markets for American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) were developed, and many fortunes were made by harvesting and selling the roots. One notable figure from this time is Daniel Boone, who made much of his fortune from exploiting ginseng.

Ginseng has been widely collected over the past 200 years, and its existence is now potentially threatened in many states and countries. It is now a protected species under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). Wild American ginseng can be harvested in 19 states and the Appalachian Mountains, but it has restrictions for exporting.

In Canada, wild ginseng is designated as a species at risk of extinction and is under threat from poachers. It grows in southern Ontario and western Quebec and is considered especially valuable due to its slow growth rate. Conservation officers in Ontario and Quebec are using surveillance and other techniques to try to outsmart thieves.

In New Brunswick, ginseng is grown in Bouctouche, as seen in a 1999 photograph by Gérard Sirois. There is also evidence of a co-op of four New Brunswick environmentalists who, in 1998, wanted to encourage the production of Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) and discourage clearcutting. They planted North American Ginseng seeds and roots in Maritime mature and mixed hardwood stands.

Frequently asked questions