Autumn Hunt for Hidden Treasure

It can be refreshing when something comes along in our busy adult lives that reignites a spark of childhood wonder. Remember: a long nautical journey to a forgotten beach or a trek through the tropical jungle can only result in one thing: hidden treasure.

Well, it’s early September - the perfect time to hunt and harvest one of nature’s hidden treasures: the root of the Ginseng plant. The “man root” was discovered over 5,000 years ago in the mountains of ancient Northern China. It became so popular that only royalty could use the root and citizens were subject to severe punishment for smuggling Ginseng. Emperor Shennong, a master of botany, would often send a large portion of his army into the forest to fetch Ginseng. Back then, the plant was worth its weight in gold.

To this day, the mythical powers of this plant are still sought after, mainly by the Chinese. Due to the presence of many different Ginsenosides, the active compounds in Ginseng, the plant is thought to be a cure-all. Having problems with fatigue? Poor immune system? Weak heart? Ginseng may be worth a try.

If you’re having problems with a dwindling bank account, well-dug, properly dried Ginseng can fetch anywhere from $300 per pound up to $1500 per pound for the finest of specimen. And if the wild root you find is many decades old, resembles the human figure, and is undamaged, you’ve found the most coveted form of Ginseng for which wealthy Chinese will pay a premium.

Hold on! Don’t rush out into the great beyond searching for your fortune just yet. Ginseng has been drastically over-harvested for decades and its delicate, lengthy growing process doesn’t make it the most resilient of plants. The plant is even more endangered over in China. These facts have led many U.S. states to enforce strict laws and often harsh penalties for poaching Ginseng, like the laws during the reign of Emperor Shennong in ancient China. If you ever harvest Ginseng during your travels, make sure to plant all the seeds immediately and within 50 feet of where you harvested.

Rare items, elements of danger and superstition, hidden riches: this is sounding more like a real treasure hunt with each passing moment. I almost forgot! You’ll need a map. A New York man named Bob Beyfuss is the resident Ginseng expert within the United States. On his website, ginsenggeek.org, you can find details about where in your local forest this magical plant might be thriving. It’s about that time; grab your day pack, take a hike through the woods, and search for these rubies on the forest floor.