Xinchang Atractylodes

Xinchang Atractylodes

Xinchang Atractylodes is a geographical indication certification trademark.

　　　Product Name: Atractylodes

　　Place of Origin: Xinchang

　　Product Features: The stem is erect, with a woody base, standing 60–80 cm tall, with numerous branches on the upper part. The rhizome is thickened and serves as the medicinal part. It generally appears as an irregular fleshy lump, with the "frog-shaped" form considered the best, measuring 3–13 cm in length and 1.5–7 cm in diameter. Its surface is brownish with wart-like protrusions, intermittent longitudinal wrinkles, and furrows. The texture is firm, and the cross-section is yellowish-white or light brown, featuring a ring of dot-like oil glands. It has a fragrant aroma and a bittersweet taste.

　　Main Components: The main components are atractylol and atractylon, and it also contains vitamin A and volatile oils.

　　Product Efficacy: It invigorates the spleen and boosts qi, promotes diuresis and removes dampness, and helps to reduce sweating and calm the fetus. It is primarily used to treat conditions such as spleen deficiency, diarrhea, edema, and phlegm retention.

　　Product Introduction: Atractylodes belongs to the Asteraceae family and is a perennial herbaceous plant. The stem is erect, with a woody base, standing 60–80 cm tall, with numerous branches on the upper part. The rhizome is thickened and serves as the medicinal part. It generally appears as an irregular fleshy lump, with the "frog-shaped" form considered the best, measuring 3–13 cm in length and 1.5–7 cm in diameter. Its surface is brownish with wart-like protrusions, intermittent longitudinal wrinkles, and furrows. The texture is firm, and the cross-section is yellowish-white or light brown, featuring a ring of dot-like oil glands. It has a fragrant aroma and a bittersweet taste. The main components are atractylol and atractylon, and it also contains vitamin A and volatile oils. It is a commonly used traditional Chinese medicine in herbal prescriptions, as well as a raw material for various proprietary Chinese medicines. It has the effects of invigorating the spleen and boosting qi, promoting diuresis and removing dampness, and helping to reduce sweating and calm the fetus. It is primarily used to treat conditions such as spleen deficiency, diarrhea, edema, and phlegm retention. The atractylodes produced in our city is renowned nationwide for its fine cultivation, meticulous processing, large and uniform size, and excellent quality. It is sold as far as Southeast Asia and enjoys a reputation as an “authentic medicinal material.” Atractylodes prefers a cool climate and is sensitive to high temperatures. In our city, it is grown in mountainous areas and basalt plateaus within the Tiantai Mountains, Siming Mountains, and Kuaiji Mountain Range in Xinchang and Shengxian counties. These regions have a mild and humid climate, with an average annual temperature of 12°C–16°C, a frost-free period of 204–220 days, and planting soils mainly composed of red clay, brown soil developed from basalt weathering, and mountainous yellow soil developed from tuff weathering—all of which are highly suitable for atractylodes growth.

　　Product History: Mainly produced in Xinchang and Shengxian. Atractylodes, also known as Zhejiang Atractylodes, is one of the famous “Eight Treasures of Zhejiang” and is often referred to as “ginseng of the north, atractylodes of the south.” The production of atractylodes in our city has a long history. As early as the Song Dynasty, according to the *Shan Lu*, it was recorded: “There is atractylodes on Mount Shan, and many people grow it.” The Ming Dynasty’s *Compendium of Materia Medica* states: “Atractylodes, also called spear thistle, is found in the Wu and Yue regions, and people can take its roots for cultivation.” The *Wanli Xinchang County Annals* of the Ming Dynasty noted: “Atractylodes comes from Caiyan Mountain, which is the same as the Yuezhou atractylodes mentioned in the Materia Medica. Nowadays, it is also found on the back of Dunsan Mountain.” For centuries, farmers in the producing areas have carefully cultivated atractylodes, forming and accumulating a wealth of experience in its cultivation and management. After the founding of the People’s Republic of China, the Party and the government placed great emphasis on atractylodes production, including it in planned management, strengthening technical guidance, and providing support in fertilizers and pesticides to production bases. This has promoted the development of atractylodes production. Our city produces around 1,200 tons of atractylodes annually, making it one of the major production areas in the country.