Harvesting Wild Ginseng from Cheonjongsan at Dari Peak, Baegunsan, Gwangyang

8 Roots of Cheonjongsansam, Estimated to be Over 70 Years Old

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Heo Seon-sik] Eight wild mountain ginseng roots were discovered at Dari Peak in the Baegunsan area of Okryong-myeon, Gwangyang-si, Jeollanam-do, drawing significant attention.

According to Gwangyang City and the Herbal Medicine Association on the 11th, Kim Jang-won (57 years old, from Mukbang, Okryong, Gwangyang), who makes a living by harvesting medicinal herbs, went hiking at Dari Peak on the slopes of Baegunsan on the 9th.

Mr. Kim found the wild mountain ginseng in a moist shaded valley area at an altitude of 900 meters on Baegunsan.

The discovered wild mountain ginseng was distributed within a radius of 5 meters, and a total of eight roots were harvested.

Wild mountain ginseng refers to ginseng that has naturally grown deep in the mountains.

This wild mountain ginseng was described as an extraordinary specimen even by professional herbalists, and an appraisal was requested from the Gwangyang Herbal Medicine Association.

The eight roots of wild mountain ginseng are estimated to be over 70 years old.

Mr. A from the Gwangyang Herbal Medicine Association said, “The eight roots of wild mountain ginseng are estimated to be over 70 years old,” adding, “It is a wild mountain ginseng passed down through generations, and the color and shape of the body (yaktong) and roots (mi) are unlike anything seen in a lifetime.”

He further added, “The development of the brain crown (nodu), similar to tree rings, has progressed densely and intricately. Clear traces of a long period of dormancy were also evident.”

In particular, Kim Soo-cheol from the Herbal Medicine Association explained, “The appraisal results suggest it is a very unique large wild mountain ginseng showing the form of Dongjasam.”

The brain crown shows clear signs of a long period of dormancy.

The appraisal value of the eight roots is expected to be around 70 million KRW.

The largest root among the eight weighs about 60 grams, roughly two nyang.

Mr. A said, “The day before the hike, I dreamed of my ancestors and was very worried that something bad might happen, so I acted cautiously throughout the hike. That dream turned out to be a prophetic dream that brought good fortune.”

Gwangyang = Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Heo Seon-sik hss79@asiae.co.kr

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.