If Ginseng Could Scream

As I sought to write a letter to my congressman about the conservation of American ginseng, it occurred to me to post a formula for others who might like to write their congressman but might be intimidated by the process.  So today I am sharing the formula I used for petitioning my congressman to act on behalf of American ginseng!  In coming up with this formula, I meshed together some resources from two of my favorite fun websites: Bureau of Communication and The Art of Manliness.

The Delicate Relationship of American Ginseng and American Humans

This week I want to address a topic that has been on my mind since early this month: The conservation of Panax quinquefolius (American ginseng).  As a side note, at the beginning of my MUIH class, Fundamentals of Herbal Medicine, we were each to choose an herb from a list that we would be researching and experimenting with throughout the class.  Though Panax quinquefolius was not on the list, my teacher was kind enough to allow me to choose this herb.  Unfortunately, not everything I have wanted to say about the plant is appropriate for the assignments we are given... so here we are.

Appalachian Outlaws

It came to my attention while I attended a little seminar given by Dr. Eric Burkhart via United Plant Savers, that the television show, ‘Appalachian Outlaws’ which glorifies the poaching of our precious botanical, was filmed in West Virginia.  Further, I found out, it was filmed in counties that I happen to have a vested interest in.  I would like to hear what some local opinions are regarding this show’s filming here in southern West Virginia.  

Why Should I Care?

American ginseng is precious, not just because it is valuable in dollars, but because it is ours and it is already a vulnerable species by its very nature.  The plant is slow to mature, finicky about where it thrives and furthermore, is being wiped out through unethical means (trespassing, etc.) by people who mean little more than to make a buck off of it.  If such poachers keep going the way they are going, then they will over-harvest themselves deeper into poverty… and then what?  I digress.  Obviously, this plant is sought after for reasons other than its rarity.  

“Colonel Byrd, in his History of the Dividing Line, wrote, ‘To help cure fatigue, I used to chew a root of ginseng as I walked along.  This kept up my spirits.  It gives an uncommon warmth and vigor to the blood.  It cheers the heart of a man that has a bad wife, and makes him look down with great composure upon the crosses of the world.  It will make old age amiable by rendering it lively, cheerful, and good humored’” (Wigginton, 1975).

The Chinese pay a fortune for these wild-grown roots.  Says Appalachian man Sylvester Yunker in Chris Bolgianio’s “Living in the Appalachian Forest: True Tales of Sustainable Forestry,” “This is what the Chinese don’t have… The reason they pay so much for American ginseng is that they’ve deforested their country and can’t grow it wild anymore.  Korea has a big business in cultivated ginseng, which is artificially shaded, fertilized, and sprayed with fungicides.  But the fleshy roots that you get when it’s grown like an agricultural crop are very different from the small, dark, rough and gnarly wild ones, with their concentric growth rings” (pp 84-85).

This rare and elusive herb is used for handling stress, mental fatigue, to boost the immune system, and to fight colds and the flu.  According to the ancient Doctrine of signatures, medicinal herbs should be chosen to treat the body parts that they resemble.  What does this picture of American ginseng root look like to you?  Before you start letting your imagination run too wild, I will just tell you that many would say that it resembles the human body and is similarly purported to be a miraculous overall-body tonic.  

(Dr. Ginseng, 2011)

Why Ginseng Needs You

Now, imagine all this being wiped out from our soil – because it’s happening.  Can you live with knowing that the Chinese consumed most of this treasure of ours?  Of course you can, but why should you?  Wouldn’t you like to stroll along and find a nice Ginseng plant, ready to be harvested, plant its seeds around it, dig it up, and chew on it yourself to see what all the commotion is about?

For my next post, I am preparing a fun-filled letter-writing formula making it very easy for you to help save this herb.  I can’t write the letter for you, but I can make it easier.  The more letters from various constituents, the more seriously they will be taken, and the more likely you will be able to stumble upon and enjoy the Appalachian gold yourself.

In Principio Erat Herbam... In the Beginning, There Was the Plant

Beginnings

Hello and thank you for coming!  As a short introduction, I would like to comment first that this is the beginning of a documentary of my studies in botanical medicine.  I am still forming my understanding of the subject as well as my community and can only speak from as far as I can see at the moment.  Certainly, the learning process will be infinite, and I look forward to hearing your commentary as I seek to heighten my understanding in this arena. 

I have only just recently moved to southern West Virginia and one of my favorite things that I have found to do around here is going out into the woods and surveying the vegetation.  I have taken several pictures that I would like to share.  Mushrooms have been a particular favorite of mine, as you will see.  I have even taken spore prints of several of them, but let me know if you think that you can identify them sans spore prints! Photos can be found at the end of this post. 

Technical Beginnings

I don’t want to get too technical for the purpose of this blog, but I do want to mention that I started a Master’s degree program in Therapeutic Herbalism back in September. Two courses that I am currently taking are Fundamentals of Herbal Medicine and Foundations of Health and Wellness. 

Holistic Medicine

In Foundations of Health and Wellness, I have learned a lot so far about a holistic approach to health and wellness.  Essentially, a holistic approach to health is taking into account one’s body, mind, and spirit.  The concept sounds New Age, but actually, this approach predates the age of modern Western medicine that is typically practiced in the United States today.

 When you have a headache and you run to the drugstore to fetch a bottle of acetaminophen, you are taking care of your body.  But are there other causes to your headache that a bottle of Tylenol does not address?  More than likely, the answer is yes.  A holistic solution to this same problem would likely address your stressors and how you have been handling them.  Very important: A holistic approach by no means suggests that you should neglect the support of a medical doctor! 

Herbal Medicine

Probably the biggest revelation to me thus far regarding herbal medicine is the way in which plants interact with humans.  The effects of herbal medicines are more subtle than those of pharmaceutical medicines because herbal medicines work with the body in many different ways as opposed to laser-beaming one solid target.  Pharmaceuticals on the other hand, strong as they are, are targeted toward a particular symptom but also come with some pretty drastic side-effects that might outweigh any benefit of taking the medication in the first place.  The complex manner in which the many different phytochemicals in herbal medicine works with the body is the cause for both its subtlety and efficacy.  Additionally, one way to think about the way Therapeutic Herbalism is that plants do not cure people; rather, the phytochemicals in plants give your body the boost it needs to heal itself. 

About this Blog

I created this blog as a means to bridge the gap between my studies at Maryland University of Integrative Health (MUIH) and my community.  This will be accomplished through the following:

• Blogging about my studies with MUIH
• Blogging about herbalism-related issues in southern West Virginia
• Posting pictures from my experiences
• Inviting local residents as well as other herbalists and foresters to discuss various topics relevant to subjects relating to the therapeutic use of plants by humans
• Tailoring my studious activities to meet the needs and concerns of my community

It is well known that Southern West Virginia is amazingly rich in forest botanicals.  I would love to hear from those who are native to this area and have something to share about some of the special plants they know nearby.  I would also like to hear from people that, like me, are interested in learning more about using plants to enrich their lives.

Please post in the comments section or if you have any suggestions or questions that you’d like to chat privately about, feel free to send me an email at: nfernandez@muih.edu  

The statements on this blog have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to prevent, treat, diagnose or cure any disease or health condition. Consult your doctor if you believe your health is at risk.