Why is the cultivation and gathering of gensing so regulated?

Question

I assumed that if something grows wild or otherwise in your own property it is rightfully yours. Some sites say to harvest wild gensing you need to buy a permit yearly. Also why would you want to harvest gensing? Does it serve any purpose?

Answer 1

Ginseng (some varieties of which are called 'eleuthero', but the 'panax' variety is the more true form) used to be more valuable than gold in parts of China. Wars were even fought over the right to harvest the root! (I am actually drinking a cup of ginseng tea while answering this question!)

Ginseng root is good for soothing your nerves and relaxing you, and it also gives you a little energy boost. It has been used in Chinese medicine for centuries.

HOWEVER, it is not a herb like thyme or basil, which you can just toss into a stew and eat - it must be carefully used, and in very small doses. If you buy teabags with ginseng in them, they should be OK, but even so, I only drink one cup of ginseng tea a day, MAXIMUM.

It is a good healing root, but it must be VERY carefully used. If you use it indiscriminately, it can cause problems to your nervous system, and you could even die!

Like any other medicine, it must be used with care.

Hope this helps ;-)

Answer 2

Ginseng has been in demand for centuries. Because its roots resemble a human body, it was (and still is) assumed to be of value as a general health tonic. Any actual health benefits are dubious, but that lack of evidence hasn't stopped demand.

Ginseng is hard to start and is a slow grower. There is a fear in many parts of the country that overharvesting of wild stands will deplete the resource. That's why there are regulations. The fact that you "own" it may be irrelevant to your legal right to harvest it...better check with a local authority.

Answer 3

Wild Ginseng Regulations
Recognizing that commercial demands may cause over harvesting of ginseng, Wisconsin law regulates the harvest, sale and purchase of wild ginseng in the state. In order to promote the most sustainable harvesting practices, international trade agreements permit U.S. export of wild ginseng only from those states that can annually show that harvest and export are not harming the wild ginseng resource. The main points of Wisconsin wild ginseng regulations (see s. 29.611 (exit DNR) Wisconsin Statutes and Administrative Rules and chapter 28 (exit DNR)) are covered here.

Answer 4

I have never heard of any gensing regulations...