Lisa Almaraz interviews Robert Eidus about the ginseng trade, history, regulations, and how a more sustainable system of practices could be achieved.
Highlights
- Export of this rare medicinal plant needs to be restricted due to declining populations in the wild.
- Ginseng populations in American forests have been decimated by the overharvesting, poaching, and out of season harvesting of this plant.
- Rumor has it that Hong Kong ginseng cartel have warehouses full of wild American ginseng root.
- In addition, the market price for American ginseng root is being controlled by China and does not produce a living wage for the wild American ginseng forest farmer.
- A US market needs to be built up and promoted for our wild American ginseng products, including fresh root material and leaves.
