E203 - American Ginseng: Benefits, Uses & Survival of a Legendary Root

Why have so many herbalists stopped using American ginseng — and what would it mean to welcome it back?

In this episode, I sat down with Appalachian herbalist Phyllis Light to discuss American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius), an herb that her family has had an intimate relationship with for generations. Wow, what a wealth of information she had to share about this legendary herb! Our conversation wound through the folk history of ginseng’s use in Appalachia, ginseng trade routes, and the many, many ways we can work with it to benefit our health. Phyllis also explored the widespread beli...