Zhejiang Ophiopogon

Zhejiang Ophiopogon

　　　　Product Name: Zhejiang Ophiopogon

　　　　Alias: Yao Ophiopogon

　　　　Place of Origin: Yuyao, Ningbo

　　　　Product Features: Known for its functions in nourishing yang, promoting body fluids, moistening lungs, relieving cough, clearing the heart, and reducing irritability.

　　　　Product Introduction: Zhejiang Ophiopogon belongs to the Liliaceae family, Ophiopogon genus, also known as Ophiopogon japonicus. As the production area was originally part of Yuyao, it is also called Yao Ophiopogon. It is one of the key national production areas. Zhejiang Ophiopogon refers to the dried tuberous roots of the plant—short, stout, and plump, with a bright yellow color, and superior quality compared to those produced in Sichuan and Fujian. In the late Qing Dynasty, when Ningbo’s pharmaceutical trade flourished and merchants gathered, there was fierce competition to purchase Zhejiang Ophiopogon, which was then shipped to Hong Kong, Japan, and various countries in Southeast Asia, as well as across the country. It became one of the three major Zhejiang commodities alongside Atractylodes macrocephala and Xiangbei (a type of Fritillaria), making it a valuable and commonly used traditional Chinese medicinal material. It is also one of the “Eight Treasures of Zhejiang Medicine.” Sometimes referred to as Zhejiang Fritillaria, it is also called Xiangbei because it was first cultivated in Xiangshan, and is alternatively known as Dabe (Big Fritillaria), Dabeimu (Big Fritillaria Bulb), Yuanbaobei (Round Precious Bead), and Zhubei (Pearl Bead). It is a perennial herbaceous medicinal plant of the Liliaceae family. In early summer, the aboveground parts wither, and the underground bulbs are harvested, cleaned, processed, and dried to become the medicinal fritillary bulb.

　　　　Product History: According to the Xiangshan County Annals, Xiangshan “has a history of cultivating Zhejiang Fritillaria. Later, it was transplanted to areas around Xiaoxi and Jinjiang in Yin County, where tens of thousands of people grew fritillaria for a living…” As early as the Ming Dynasty, there was a history of cultivating Ophiopogon in central Zhejiang, which is recorded in Li Shizhen’s Compendium of Materia Medica. In the late Qing Dynasty, during the heyday of Ningbo’s pharmaceutical trade, Yao Ophiopogon had become one of Ningbo’s “Three Major Zhejiang Commodities” (Atractylodes macrocephala, Xiangbei, and Ophiopogon), attracting merchants from all over who competed to purchase it and ship it to Hong Kong, Japan, and Southeast Asian countries. Currently, Zhejiang Ophiopogon is mainly distributed in the western and northern plains of Cixi City, as well as the eastern and northern regions of Yuyao City.

　　　　Zhejiang Ophiopogon is spindle-shaped, resembling a jujube pit, 1.5–3 cm in length and 0.3–0.6 cm in diameter. The surface is yellowish-white or pale yellow with longitudinal striations. The texture is soft, the cross-section is yellowish-white, semi-transparent, with a woody core. The flesh is oily and sugary. Those that are plump and yellowish-white are considered the best. According to the Compendium of Materia Medica, “Ophiopogon is primarily used to treat chest and abdominal congestion, damage from overeating or injury, obstruction of stomach collaterals, to nourish yin and benefit essence, calm lung qi, regulate the five organs, relieve irritability and heat. Long-term consumption lightens the body, improves vision, prevents aging, and wards off hunger.”