Origins of the Ginseng in Your Tea: A Recent Graphic Novel Unveils the Trade's Journey
In 2011, the talented comic book artist Craig Thompson fell on his drawing hand – a rather unfortunate incident while rafting in China. Thinking he'd only sprained his hand, Thompson was in for a surprise when the pain eventually returned.
He found himself in a pharmacy on the outskirts of town, where the solution to his pain came in the form of a ginseng spray. As he looked around the shop filled with Wisconsin ginseng, it sparked an idea for Thompson's latest graphic memoir, Ginseng Roots.
This book serves as a spiritual sequel to Thompson's previous work, Blankets, offering insight into his childhood spent working on ginseng farms. It delves deep into the global ginseng trade, exploring the connections between his life and countless others who have been touched by this powerful herb.
Thompson interviews farmers, business owners, and visits various locations around the US, South Korea, and China, uncovering the intricate web of labor, production, and consumption. He brands this journey an examination of the complexities and interconnections in our modern world.
"Perhaps there is no USA without ginseng," Thompson muses, reflecting on the long-standing trade relationship with China, which began as early as 1784 when America shipped a vessel filled with ginseng to China as a means to pay off its debt.
Ginseng Roots showcases a softer, more cartoonish style when depicting the artist himself, but the individuals he interviews are portrayed with deeper weight and detail. Thompson's hand – a constant reminder of the fall – lingers throughout the book, playing a crucial role in the narrative.
As it turns out, the injuries Thompson incurred were more severe than initially thought. After years of treatments, radiation, and surgeries, Thompson now must live with conditions like fibromatosis, Dupuytren's contracture, arthritis, and ganglion cysts. Worse still, the herb he sought respite from – ginseng – simply slowed down the progression of his condition.
"I thought this [new book] was my swan song to comics," he confided, but the experience taught him otherwise. Now he looks forward to creating more works, expressing a newfound determination.
In the course of reporting the book, Thompson encounters acupuncturist Justin Penoyer, who shared a fascinating perspective during their treatments: "An herb is a weed that has a storyline to it. A weed is a plant that's lost its social narrative." This statement serves as a powerful reminder – people create and narrate the value we place upon things.
Whether in the morning tea, the cream we apply at night, or the book we hold in our hands, every material has a story, a hand that touched it, a journey it has been on. This simple idea adds depth and meaning to our everyday lives.
Meghan Sullivan edited this story.
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Thompson's latest graphic memoir, Ginseng Roots, Ventures into topics of food-and-drink, entertainment, and lifestyle, exploring the global ginseng trade, with Thompson interviewing farmers, business owners, and visiting various locations around the US, South Korea, and China. In his discussions, he describes how books, like ginseng, have their own unique narratives and journeys, enriching our lives and perspectives.
