Wild ginseng of Asian origin is being "killed by its own success". After centuries of digging, the plant is becoming virtually impossible to find in its wild state in Asia. Ginseng is the dried root of one of several species of the Araliaceae family of herbs. The most commonly used type is Asian ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A., Meyer), often sold as Panax, Chinese, or Korean ginseng.

But the same pressures that led to the near disappearance of ginseng in Asia are being felt now on this continent, as well. Ginseng has become quite an expensive commodity and, with its higher value, there is evidence of increased ginseng poaching and over harvesting by unscrupulous individuals in many locations. This lack of good ginseng harvesting practices, combined with rapid development and clear-cutting of the forest canopy, has begun turning wild North American ginseng, Panax Quinquefolium, into a threatened, and possibly an endangered, species.

In 1975, American ginseng was listed in the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) agreement. CITES is an international agreement designed to prevent plants and animals with economic value from being wiped out, and ginseng's listing indicates that the species is in some jeopardy due to factors related to international trade. As a result, the agency stopped the international sale of wild and wild-simulated ginseng plants under five years old, including VWG. Five years is the age at which ginseng plants can begin to produce seeds for future plants.

Unless we do something, the history of ginseng depletion in Asia will repeat itself in America and we will lose one of our most important economic crops. And, fortunately, the unique forests we have in the Appalachians provide excellent growing areas for ginseng.

For example, Kentucky mountain-grown ginseng is worth about $250 to $300 a pound, according to those following the market. This is due to the climate, the lay of the land, the type of soil, and the mixed hardwood tree cover. The best grades of wild or virtually wild ginseng need good tree cover (maple, poplar, hickories, or similar species) and will provide a sustainable yield year after year.

Ginseng is widely used in the United States to improve overall energy and vitality, particularly during times of fatigue or stress.