Nestled deep within the heart of the mighty Appalachia lies a mystical plant known by locals as "sang," carrying within its essence both age-old wisdom and an irresistible allure as ancient as the very mountains that cradle it. Its roots, twisted and gnarled, hold a value that transcends mere currency in these rugged hills, and its elusive nature and revered properties have woven it into the fabric of Appalachian folklore. As a child, captivated by the tales spun by my Uncle Tom, I yearned to uncover the secrets of this mountain herb.
"Can you show me, Uncle?" I pleaded, my eyes wide with anticipation, as we stood amidst the large oak trees surrounding his old workshop.
Photo caption: My Uncle Tom and I in 2019.
But my uncle, a man of few words, simply chuckled. "Ginseng ain't somethin' to be shown, Tommy. It's somethin' to be discovered," he replied, his voice carrying the soul of the mountains. "You look for leaves of five with larger leaves like a turkey foot," he said, the only clue he would give.
As I roamed through my family's dense forest, the sunlight filtering through the canopy above, my eyes scoured the ground for any sign of the elusive plant. Yet, despite my best efforts, the landscape yielded no secrets, and my spirits sank with each passing moment. It wasn't until I stumbled upon a cluster of leaves that seemed to match my uncle's description that hope rekindled within me.
With eager hands, I plucked the leaves and hurried back to my uncle, my heart racing with excitement. But as I proudly presented my find, my uncle's weathered brow furrowed in disappointment. "That ain't it, Tommy," my uncle muttered, shaking his head. "But don't you worry. Keep searchin', and you'll find it."
Deflated but not defeated, I returned to the forest, my determination burning brighter than ever. And then, as if guided by some unseen force, I stumbled upon another cluster of leaves, this time unmistakably resembling a turkey's foot. With cautious optimism, I dug into the dark forest soil and unearthed the ginseng root, its twisted form a testament to nature's artistry.
With the prized root clutched in my hands, I felt a surge of triumph wash over me. I may have faltered on my first attempt, but through my unwavering resolve, I had finally unlocked the secrets hidden within the Appalachian Mountains. And as I made my way back to my uncle, a sense of pride filled my heart, knowing that I had not only found "sang" but also uncovered a newfound sense of resilience—a resilience that would carry me through the trials and triumphs of life.
You may also enjoy:
Supporting Heritage Herbalism in Appalachia
Herb Sourcing: The Bigger Picture
Ethical Issues in the Herb Industry: Wildharvesting Vs.Cultivation 
Topics: Herbalism, Specialty Ingredients
Thomas Dick is the Executive Vice President and Chief Brand Officer here at Mountain Rose Herbs and controls and creates the look and feel of the company. He has been in the field of graphic design and marketing for more than 20 years and has spent the last 10 years building the Mountain Rose Herbs brand. Born and raised in the Appalachia, Thomas' appreciation of the natural world was cultivated during his childhood spent outdoors, roaming the creeks and hills of Kentucky and Ohio. While pursuing a degree in Environmental Studies, Thomas discovered his passion for Design and Marketing, eventually earning dual degrees from The Ohio State University. It's his love for the environment and for visual communications that makes working at Mountain Rose Herbs the perfect fit for him. When he is not designing beautiful packaging or mapping out our next marketing campaign, you will most likely find him in his machine shop pursuing his other passion, restoring vintage racing motorcycles.
Nestled deep within the heart of the mighty Appalachia lies a mystical plant known by locals as "sang," carrying within its essence both age-old wisdom and an irresistible allure as ancient as the very mountains that cradle it. Its roots, twisted and gnarled, hold a value that transcends mere currency in these rugged hills, and its elusive nature and revered properties have woven it into the fabric of Appalachian folklore. As a child, captivated by the tales spun by my Uncle Tom, I yearned to uncover the secrets of this mountain herb.
"Can you show me, Uncle?" I pleaded, my eyes wide with anticipation, as we stood amidst the large oak trees surrounding his old workshop.
Photo caption: My Uncle Tom and I in 2019.
But my uncle, a man of few words, simply chuckled. "Ginseng ain't somethin' to be shown, Tommy. It's somethin' to be discovered," he replied, his voice carrying the soul of the mountains. "You look for leaves of five with larger leaves like a turkey foot," he said, the only clue he would give.
As I roamed through my family's dense forest, the sunlight filtering through the canopy above, my eyes scoured the ground for any sign of the elusive plant. Yet, despite my best efforts, the landscape yielded no secrets, and my spirits sank with each passing moment. It wasn't until I stumbled upon a cluster of leaves that seemed to match my uncle's description that hope rekindled within me.
With eager hands, I plucked the leaves and hurried back to my uncle, my heart racing with excitement. But as I proudly presented my find, my uncle's weathered brow furrowed in disappointment. "That ain't it, Tommy," my uncle muttered, shaking his head. "But don't you worry. Keep searchin', and you'll find it."
Deflated but not defeated, I returned to the forest, my determination burning brighter than ever. And then, as if guided by some unseen force, I stumbled upon another cluster of leaves, this time unmistakably resembling a turkey's foot. With cautious optimism, I dug into the dark forest soil and unearthed the ginseng root, its twisted form a testament to nature's artistry.
With the prized root clutched in my hands, I felt a surge of triumph wash over me. I may have faltered on my first attempt, but through my unwavering resolve, I had finally unlocked the secrets hidden within the Appalachian Mountains. And as I made my way back to my uncle, a sense of pride filled my heart, knowing that I had not only found "sang" but also uncovered a newfound sense of resilience—a resilience that would carry me through the trials and triumphs of life.
You may also enjoy:
Supporting Heritage Herbalism in Appalachia
Herb Sourcing: The Bigger Picture
Ethical Issues in the Herb Industry: Wildharvesting Vs.Cultivation
Topics: Herbalism, Specialty Ingredients
Thomas Dick is the Executive Vice President and Chief Brand Officer here at Mountain Rose Herbs and controls and creates the look and feel of the company. He has been in the field of graphic design and marketing for more than 20 years and has spent the last 10 years building the Mountain Rose Herbs brand. Born and raised in the Appalachia, Thomas' appreciation of the natural world was cultivated during his childhood spent outdoors, roaming the creeks and hills of Kentucky and Ohio. While pursuing a degree in Environmental Studies, Thomas discovered his passion for Design and Marketing, eventually earning dual degrees from The Ohio State University. It's his love for the environment and for visual communications that makes working at Mountain Rose Herbs the perfect fit for him. When he is not designing beautiful packaging or mapping out our next marketing campaign, you will most likely find him in his machine shop pursuing his other passion, restoring vintage racing motorcycles.
