Episode 203: American Ginseng: Benefits, Uses & Survival of a Legendary Root

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Would you prefer watching or reading this episode? If so, click here for the 'Health Benefits of American Ginseng' video and transcript.

Episode Summary

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 belief that American ginseng is ‘too endangered to use’—and why the truth is more complex than we might think.

Phyllis shared about several different herbal preparations of American ginseng, including her recipe for Ginseng Honey—a simple and delicious way to work with this beloved herb. You can download your beautifully illustrated recipe card in the resource section below.

There are so many ways that American ginseng can benefit your health! Here are just a few reasons you might want to work with American ginseng:

► To improve memory and cognitive ability

► To benefit your immune system (and even help antibiotics work better!)

► To help you build strength and muscle mass, boost energy, and increase endurance

To learn even more ways that you can work with American ginseng, be sure to check out the entire episode!

By the end of this episode, you’ll know:

► How the global ginseng market impacts use of American ginseng in the United States

► Why Phyllis considers American ginseng to be a “panacea herb”

► How American ginseng can be worked with to benefit sleep—and the particular kind of insomnia that it is most appropriate for

► When it’s best to use American ginseng on its own, and when to formulate it with other herbs

► The legal and ethical implications of buying wildcrafted American ginseng (or of wildcrafting your own!)

► and so much more…

For those of you who don’t know her, Phyllis D. Light, a fourth-generation herbalist and healer, has studied and worked with herbs, foods, and other healing techniques for over 30 years. She is traditionally trained in Southern Folk Medicine with lessons from her grandmother as well as Tommie Bass, a renowned Southern herbalist. 

Phyllis has a master’s degree from the University of Alabama in Health Studies, nutrition and healthcare.  She has taught CEU classes for allied healthcare professionals. She is director of the Appalachian Center for Natural Health and is the author of Southern Folk Medicine: Healing Traditions from Appalachian Fields and Forests.

I can’t wait to share our conversation with you today!

What You'll Learn from This Episode

• [1:09] Introduction to Phyllis Light
• [1:50] Stories of Phyllis’ life growing up with Appalachian folk herbalism
• [27:20] American ginseng in trade and commerce (is it actually endangered???)
• [40:40] American ginseng for digestion
• [46:54] American ginseng for sleep
• [53:41] Ginseng Honey recipe
• [1:02:57] More medicinal benefits of American ginseng
• [1:06:01] Legal & ethical implications of wildcrafting ginseng
• [1:14:41] Phyllis’ current herbal projects
• [1:22:02] Advice Phyllis would give to young herbalists
• [1:27:08] Student spotlight
• [1:28:20] Herbal tidbit

Get Your Free Recipe!

Connect with Phyllis:

• Website | PhyllisDLight.com
• Instagram | @phyllisdlight
• Facebook | Phyllis Dewon Light, MA
• TikTok | @phyllisdlight

Connect with Rosalee

• On Instagram | @rosaleedelaforet

• On Facebook | Herbs With Rosalee
• On YouTube | Herbs With Rosalee

• Website | herbswithrosalee.com


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