F.Y.I. Recently, I read in an American History textbook that Ginseng root
was one of the agricultural exports of the colonies before the Revolution.
It was shipped to China where it was coveted. Patsy
-----Original Message-----
From: Jay B. Jones <jjones(a)earth.sunlink.net>
To: INOWEN-L(a)rootsweb.com <INOWEN-L(a)rootsweb.com>
Date: Sunday, March 07, 1999 7:40 AM
Subject: Ginseng root in Owen COunty
Folks:
I am digging for real roots as well as genealogical ones. I am
curious about reference in 1884 Blanchard's Owen County history of
Ginseng root which grew naturally in early Owen County (ca 1820- ).
"Sang" evidently was much coveted (as a home remedy?) and brought good
prices as witnessed by two young entrepaneurs cashing in their diggings
for new suits of clothes, much to the astonishment of a Sunday
congregation. A Korean collegue of mine (an M.D.) swears by its
restorative medicinal properties. I always thought the root grew only in
the Orient but evidently it is endogenous to the New World (at least
Owen County) as well.
Does "sang" still grow in Owen County? Any mushroom hunters there
who also dig for other than genealogical roots?...Jay Jones, Danville,
PA (researching JONES, ASHER, ALLEN, BRASIER and.... Ginseng)