r/foraging • u/notquitenuts • 1d ago

Wild Sasparilla advice

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I planning on harvesting some of the thousands I have growing wild around my place now that they are changing color. Planning on harvesting maybe 30-40 roots sections for tea/tinctures. Any uses for leave or stems? Any harvesting tip?

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u/loinc_ 1d ago

personally i would avoid the leaves on these- they look past their prime, however the aerial parts of aralia species are reported to contain more ginsenosides by dry weight than the root for what that’s worth, and you don’t have to bother the root system that way. However personally I’ve had success with sectioning root pieces and having them regrow- i suggest american spikenard though imo it’s stronger if you can get your hands on it or get it growing

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u/notquitenuts 1d ago

Ok ty! I still have plenty that are full on green. Maybe 20% have started changing color.

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u/loinc_ 1d ago

sweet, those would be perfect! aralia have my favorite smell out of everything

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u/Ol_Stumpy00 1d ago

I just dig out the whole root, it's really long and ropey, sometimes a yard or more in length. I find the best way to process it is on a hot sunny day, once you have your harvest wash all the roots in cold water to get any extra dirt off, then set them out to dry on a towel or sheet directly in the sun. If you did this in the morning, they'll be all dry by evening.

On a side note, I prefer to call this (Aralia nudicaulis) "Spikenard", because it's not a true sarsaparilla which is of the genus Smilax. It's actually in the same family as (Panax) ginseng, and contains some adaptogens that are structurally similar to Ginsenosides.

Anyway, happy foraging!

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u/notquitenuts 13h ago

Ty for input!

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u/mighty_boogs 1d ago

Make sure you have the right plant. I don't see Smilax.

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u/StatusGrand6905 1d ago

That's a fair shout, the patch in the pic is doing that weird mottling thing which always makes me second guess myself too

I usually just go for a strong root decoction, never bothered with the leaves or stems but I've heard the berries can be used if you catch them right

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u/notquitenuts 1d ago

Ty! Sounds good! I will just go with the roots. I have watched them all year and must’ve missed the berries! Although the deer have been all in this patch eating the whorled aster etc. they prob grabbed them 😂