In recent months, the Department of Natural Resources has been seeing a continued increase in illegal cultivation of ginseng in central Illinois.

Department of Natural Resources Conservation Police Officer, John Williamson explains ginseng is a very popular herb overseas, and because of its prominence, it has all but become extinct, so the herb is in high demand.

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The roots of ginseng are extremely valuable and Williamson says the best ginseng is what is found in forested areas. He says what they continue to come across is illegally cultivated ginseng.

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When cultivating ginseng, Williamson notes you can only harvest a plant that is 10-years or older and the berries it produces must be replanted.

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Williamson indicates there are plenty of legal ways to harvest ginseng, but in some cases, the illegal cultivation of the herb could result in a felony at a state and even federal level.

Check with your local DNR office for more details.