09/01/2026
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Māmaceqtāhsaeh - “Little Indian”
Panax quinquefolius - American Ginseng, Wild Ginseng
Other common names: “Shang” or “seng”
Araliaceae Family
Uses: Cognitive functionality, Rheumatism, Cancer, Blood Sugar, Kidney, Liver, Fatigue, Men’s Reproductive Health
Wild ginseng is culturally significant for the Menominee people and has always been known to be a precious medicine. All parts of the plant; root, stem, leaves, berries, can be used for medicinal benefits.
Spiritually, it has been known to be an elusive plant, picking and choosing which year is right to sprout and flower. Menominee harvesters talk about how they’ve seen the plant; they look away for a second, look back, only to find that the plant has “disappeared”. There are a lot of Menominee teachings regarding Māmaceqtāhsaeh. One talks about the man root. Finding a root so big that it takes the shape of a little man with arms and legs. It has been said to eat the little man root for good luck and abundance.
This relative is extremely vulnerable and should be harvested with respect. In order to maintain a good relationship with Māmaceqtāhsaeh, the red berries/seeds must always be left where the plant was found and we only harvest roots that are determined to be 10 years or older. Roots that are younger than 10 years should be replanted in the same spot to continue growing. Māmaceqtāhsaeh can remain dormant in the ground for several years until the perfect conditions. Knowing this, there really is no concrete way to determine the age of the root. Each “ring” that you see is a year that a plant was sprouted and does not account for dormant years.
In honor of “Shang” season, One Family’s Medicine is promoting a photo contest for the best root picture, plant picture, and overall best Māmaceqtāhsaeh picture. The winners will be chosen on Friday October 23rd, 2026. Winning pictures will be used and published in the upcoming plant identification book with full photo credit given to the winners. We will also reimburse your Menominee Ginseng harvesting license, $50.00 to each winner. The plant has to be from the Menominee Reservation EXCLUSIVELY and you must show proof of a valid ginseng harvesting license for 2026.
Drop your pictures in the comments below to submit for the contest or message this page with your photos.
Happy Harvesting!!! And always remember to put down your to***co!!
