How to Tell Real Wisconsin Ginseng
Updated September 30, 2026
To check that American ginseng was grown in Wisconsin, look for a clear growing location, the Ginseng Board of Wisconsin seal, a harvest-lot code, and a seller who can answer questions about the roots. The name "American ginseng" (Panax quinquefolius) tells you the plant, not the place: it is also farmed in Canada and China.
Why Wisconsin ginseng is worth checking for
Wisconsin grows about 95% of the cultivated American ginseng in the United States, and our farm is in Marathon County, a major growing area in the state. Many buyers look for Wisconsin roots by name. Because the plant is also grown elsewhere, it pays to confirm the origin before you buy.
1. Look for the Ginseng Board of Wisconsin seal
The Ginseng Board of Wisconsin is the growers' organization for the state. As a member, we are authorized to use the Board's seal, and it is printed on our bags. Joe Heil of our family served 14 years as president of the Board.
2. Look up the seller
The Board keeps a directory of Wisconsin ginseng suppliers, and Heil is listed there. It is a good place to start when you want businesses that sell Wisconsin-grown roots.
3. Check the bag for a lot code and clear details
On any product, read the growing location, the root age when it is stated, and the net weight. Every one of our bags carries a harvest-lot code, and our records connect each order to its harvest lot. If something important is missing from a package, ask the seller before you buy.
4. Ask the seller a few questions
- Where were these roots grown, and who grew them?
- How old are the roots?
- Are they cultivated or wild?
- Where were they dried?
- Are they blended with ginseng grown anywhere else?
A grower can answer all of these. Our answers: we grow every root in Wisconsin, we sell three-, four- and five-year roots, all cultivated, dried on our own farm, and never blended with ginseng from Canada or Asia.
What good dried roots look like
- Firm and fully dry, not soft or damp.
- Light tan skin. Older roots often show fine rings around the upper part of the root.
- A clean, earthy smell with no mustiness.
- Roots of the same age can still vary in size and shape. That is normal.
More in our guide to judging ginseng quality.
What we promise at Heil
Our family has been farming in Wisconsin since 1953. We grow all the ginseng we sell on our farm in Edgar, Wisconsin, dry it here, and pack it in bags that carry the Ginseng Board of Wisconsin seal and a harvest-lot code. Read our sourcing promise.
Common questions
Is all American ginseng from Wisconsin?
No. American ginseng is a plant species. It is farmed in Wisconsin, in Canada and in China, so check where a product was grown.
What does the Ginseng Board of Wisconsin seal mean?
It is the Board's mark for Wisconsin ginseng, used by members authorized to print it on their packaging. We are authorized, and the seal is on our bags.
Where can I find Wisconsin ginseng sellers?
The Ginseng Board of Wisconsin lists suppliers in its online directory. Heil is one of them.
Is your ginseng mixed with ginseng from other places?
No. Every root we sell is grown by our family in Wisconsin.