Wow, that is a lot of dried Ginseng. Street value of more than $180,000 :eek:

 

 

BECKLEY (AP) -- West Virginia natural resources police say they have made 11 arrests and seized 190 pounds of dry ginseng that was illegally harvested.

 

 

The West Virginia Department of Natural Resources estimates the market value of the native herb at $180,000.

 

 

The department said Wednesday the arrests followed a year-long investigation in southern West Virginia. Besides the ginseng, they said they also seized stolen guns, illegal drugs and $30,000 in cash.

 

Police seize 190 pounds of illegally harvested ginseng - WVVA TV Bluefield Beckley WV News, Weather and Sports

Wonder if any of the men were on Appalachian Outlaws?

 

It's hard work down there gettin that sang'.

Next time you see an old dude heading into the woods with a sang hoe and a potato sack, don't feel sorry for him. He might be the richest guy in the county.

I didn't realize ginseng could be so valuable.

I didn't realize ginseng could be so valuable.

 

I didn't either until I watched a show on it. Could have been that Outlaw show that BBJ mentioned. Not sure. The two guys on the show were bartering different items with various people and ginseng was one of the trade items. I think they got a couple chain saws, a motor bike and some helmets for it.

I didn't realize ginseng could be so valuable.

It is, but it is inconceivable to me how anyone could amass 190 pounds of it. That is just unreal.

 

The best wild ginseng root has to be 10-30 years old to bring those prices so your harvest area has to be pretty vast to be able to find some every year to dig. It takes a lot of plants to make a pound of dried ginseng.

Anyone watch that show "Dirt Rich"?

 

It's about different people who make a lot of money going out and selling different things. One group collects and sells earth worms, another collects mushrooms, and another collects Ginseng. The Ginseng guy is in this area, Ky/Tn area. Big bucks for Ginseng.

Depending on its age and quality, a local told me you get anywhere from $700-1100 per pound for dried ginseng.

I didn't either until I watched a show on it. Could have been that Outlaw show that BBJ mentioned. Not sure. The two guys on the show were bartering different items with various people and ginseng was one of the trade items. I think they got a couple chain saws, a motor bike and some helmets for it.

 

It is, but it is inconceivable to me how anyone could amass 190 pounds of it. That is just unreal.

 

The best wild ginseng root has to be 10-30 years old to bring those prices so your harvest area has to be pretty vast to be able to find some every year to dig. It takes a lot of plants to make a pound of dried ginseng.

 

Anyone watch that show "Dirt Rich"?

 

It's about different people who make a lot of money going out and selling different things. One group collects and sells earth worms, another collects mushrooms, and another collects Ginseng. The Ginseng guy is in this area, Ky/Tn area. Big bucks for Ginseng.

 

What is it used for, primarily?

What is it used for, primarily?

 

Good question RP, I was wondering the same thing.

 

I've seen parts of one of the shows before and it was crazy to me that they were hiding and all worried about getting caught for digging up roots.

What is it used for, primarily?

 

One guy on the show was using it to flavor his moonshine that he made commercially. The rest of the guys, idk? Medicinal?

Sold for medicinal and supplement puposes. The asian countries are huge buyers.

Sold for medicinal and supplement puposes. The asian countries are huge buyers.

 

Does it actually have any medicinal qualties? What is Western medical science's opinion on it? I realize it is popular in the Asian countries, but so is ground up rhino horn.

Sold for medicinal and supplement puposes. The Asian countries are huge buyers.

 

....and they've apparently over-harvested ginseng out of existence within their countries.

What is it used for, primarily?

 

Huge in Asia. When I was stationed in S Korea, they sold it all over the place. Medicinal and they would have it in small bottles like 5 hour energy bottles and a popular use was for hangover prevention. You would drink it before your night on the town and it was supposed to help prevent hangovers. This was back in mid 80's.