The harvest of wild ginseng is illegal, but the high price opens up a black market. The operation is a commercial one. Under artificial environments, ginseng can be grown in as little as six months, compared to 10 years in the wild. “It’s very hard to get ahold of this stuff, and the price is so high that it’s almost impossible to make a living out of it,” .
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Why is growing ginseng illegal?
Ginseng in the wild is endangered because the method of harvesting involves digging up its roots, which is why harvesting wild ginseng is highly regulated in the US and other countries. China, however, it is legal to harvest the leaves of the plant and sell them for medicinal purposes.
Ginseng has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years to treat a wide range of ailments, including cancer, diabetes, arthritis, heart disease, high blood pressure, depression, and even Alzheimer’s disease.
Can you harvest ginseng on your own property?
Other states allow you to harvest and export only ginseng that has been artificially propagated. If you grow ginseng on your property in one of the states, you can harvest it, but you can’t export it to other states. First, make sure you have a permit from the state in which you plan on exporting the harvest.
If you don’t have one, contact the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) at 1-800-FDA-1088 or visit the USDA website at www.nal.usda.gov. You can also contact your state’s department of agriculture to find out if they have an export permit for the species you are planning on harvesting.
How much is a pound of ginseng worth?
The average price per pound was $600.00 at mid-season point (October), which is quite high compared to other years, also illustrating the erratic nature in the ginseng market. In the second half of the season (November-December), prices dropped to about $500, which was still higher than the previous year, but not as high as it had been in previous years.
In the third and fourth quarters (January-February and March-April), the prices fell to $400 and $300, respectively. The prices were still very low, however, and it is likely that they will continue to be low for some time to come.
Why is ginseng protected?
The global treaty intended to prevent plants and animals from being illegally traded listed ginseng as a protected species since 1975.
(USFWS), which regulates the trade of endangered species in the United States, has not listed the plant as a threatened species, despite the fact that it is listed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as one of the world’s 10 most endangered plants, according to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and other conservation groups.
Can I grow ginseng in my backyard?
To make sure your ginseng grows up healthy and strong, remember to stick to only organic matter, such as leaf mold and compost. You can earn some nice extra cash growing ginseng in your backyard nursery. You don’t need a lot of land to do it, but you do need a lot of space.
How much is an acre of ginseng worth?
When the price is high, it is possible to net up to $50,000 per acre. It takes between five and 10 years for the roots to reach maturity. “It’s a long-term investment,” .
