Jinzhai Gastrodia elata

Jinzhai Gastrodia elata

Jinzhai Gastrodia elata is a geographical indication certification trademark.

　　Jinzhai County is located in the heart of the Dabie Mountains, where the natural environment is ideal for cultivating Gastrodia elata. The area has a long history of wild Gastrodia elata production. After the introduction of sexual propagation cultivation techniques in the 1990s, production rapidly expanded, reaching an annual output of over 5,000 tons. It has become one of Anhui Province’s leading counties for Gastrodia elata production.

　　Gastrodia elata, also known as Red Arrow or Wind-Calming Herb, is a traditional and valuable medicinal herb in Jinzhai County. Locals often refer to it as the "miracle herb." Wild Gastrodia elata is primarily found in broadleaf forests at altitudes above 300 meters. Local farmers traditionally harvested it in spring. Before the 1970s, wild Gastrodia elata gathering was a common source of supplementary income for mountain farmers.

　　The artificial cultivation of Jinzhai Gastrodia elata began in the 1970s. In 1973, a doctor surnamed Le from Baha Commune (now Qingshan Town) successfully experimented with indoor asexual propagation of Gastrodia elata. In 1974, the Qingshan Supply and Marketing Cooperative sent a counselor surnamed Jiang to Dashiyao Farm in Huangfan Commune (at an altitude of 800 meters) to conduct artificial cultivation trials. After four or five years of effort, the trials proved successful. The cooperative gradually promoted the method, and by 1984, it had spread across the entire county. Some regions outside the province even came to learn and adopt the cultivation techniques. In previous years, local medicinal authorities only collected about 100–200 kg of wild Gastrodia elata annually. But in 1983, the cooperative processed and stored 1,000 kg of finished product. Adding the retained quantities from the cooperative and private sources, the total output for 1983 exceeded 5,000 kg — a historic breakthrough. Due to the success of artificial cultivation, the Qingshan Supply and Marketing Cooperative was awarded a prize of 80 yuan and a certificate of recognition at the Lu’an Prefecture Science Conference in 1980. In the early 1990s, the county science commission introduced sexual propagation cultivation techniques. These techniques produced Gastrodia elata with more seeds, higher commercial yields, and better quality, which quickly gained popularity. In 1994, the county science commission and the Specialty Research Institute of the County Political Consultative Conference jointly held a training session on sexual propagation techniques in Meishan, inviting experts from the Gastrodia elata Research Institute of Ningqiang County, Shaanxi Province. At the same time, the county science commission collaborated with the institute to experimentally produce germination fungi in Xichong Village, Baitian Township. That year, a mushroom farmer from Jianghe Village, Qingshan Town, purchased four bottles of germination fungi from Ningqiang County and successfully conducted a trial of sexual propagation Gastrodia elata cultivation. Thereafter, farmers across the county began imitating the method, and the sexual propagation technique gradually matured and spread. However, due to inconsistent quality of the germination fungi from Ningqiang County, large-scale production remained difficult. In 1999, to overcome this technical bottleneck, the county science commission invited Professor Wang Qiuying from the Institute of Medicinal Plant Development under the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences to Jinzhai. He introduced new sexual propagation techniques and a new variety of germination fungi — Dendrobium Mycena. Trials in Qingshan, Yanzihé, and Shuanghe showed that this method produced high yields, excellent quality, abundant seeds, and high propagation rates. The technique and germination fungi were then widely promoted across the county, yielding significant economic benefits. In 2000, a farmer surnamed Liu from Hejiawan Village, Quanjun Township, cultivated 2,000 square meters of sexual propagation Gastrodia elata and earned over 300,000 yuan. In 2002, thanks to favorable market conditions and high yields, the total output value of Gastrodia elata in the county reached 100 million yuan. Also in 2002, the county Edible Fungus Production Office compiled the "Gastrodia elata Short Material Fine Branch Cultivation Technique," which was promoted in Naxi, Tangjiahuì, and Shahe townships. This method conserved timber while improving efficiency.

　　With the promotion of sexual propagation techniques, a “Gastrodia elata fever” quickly swept the county. After 2002, nearly every rural household in the mountainous areas began cultivating Gastrodia elata. Urban and rural merchants, village officials, and forestland contractors planted it on a large scale. Some major growers produced over 100 tons. From 2003 to 2005, the county’s annual Gastrodia elata output remained above 3,000 tons, with output value exceeding 100 million yuan. By 2010, the annual output had reached over 5,000 tons, with a value of more than 200 million yuan.

　　Gastrodia elata has a sweet and neutral nature. It functions to calm the liver and subdue wind, and is commonly used to treat headaches, dizziness, numbness in limbs, and other symptoms. According to the *Shennong Bencao Jing* (The Divine Farmer’s Materia Medica), Gastrodia elata has the miraculous effects of “eliminating ghosts, evil spirits, and toxic miasma; long-term consumption boosts vitality, strengthens yin, improves health, lightens the body, and prolongs life.” The *Mingyi Bielu* (Supplementary Records of Famous Physicians) states that Gastrodia elata can “reduce swelling and pain, relieve abdominal fullness, and treat cold hernia with bleeding.” The *Nihon Yakuho* (Japanese Herbal Medicine) notes that it “assists yang energy, supplements damage from the five strains and seven impairments, promotes blood circulation, and opens the orifices.” The *Kaibao Bencao* (Kaibao Materia Medica) says it “treats all types of wind-damp arthralgia, limb spasms, childhood epilepsy, convulsions, benefits the waist and knees, and strengthens bones and sinews.” The *Bencao Gangmu* (Compendium of Materia Medica) identifies Gastrodia elata as a herb that acts on the liver meridian. The *Suwen* (Plain Questions) states: “All wind-induced dizziness and shaking belong to the wood element. Thus, Gastrodia elata enters the Jueyin meridian and treats various illnesses.” Luo Tianyi commented: “Blackened vision and dizziness caused by internal deficiency wind cannot be treated without Gastrodia elata. As the Wind-Calming Herb, it is a divine medicine for treating wind-related conditions.” Other texts such as *Xiao'er Ya Zheng Zhi Jue*, *Sheng Ji Zong Lu*, *Pu Ji Fang*, *Wai Ke Zheng Zong*, and *Lan Tai Gui Fan* record various combinations of Gastrodia elata with other herbs to treat conditions like acute infantile convulsions, fevers, spasms, migraines, muscle and bone pain, rheumatic beriberi, premature aging and graying hair, dizziness, limb numbness, hemiplegia, stroke paralysis, and tetanus. In addition, Gastrodia elata is used for health preservation. The *Ben Cao Yan Yi* (Extended Meanings of Materia Medica) states: “Gastrodia elata must be combined with other herbs to manifest its efficacy. People may preserve it in honey as a confection or steam and cook it. Those who use Gastrodia elata should reflect deeply on its applications.” During the Guangxu period of the Qing Dynasty, Empress Dowager Cixi suffered from facial paralysis. A remedy combining Gastrodia elata with other wind-dispelling and meridian-opening herbs was ground into powder, mixed with wine, and applied as a warm compress to the affected area. Emperor Guangxu, who often experienced headaches and dizziness, would also wash his hair with a decoction containing Gastrodia elata and other herbs. In modern times, Gastrodia elata is used even more extensively in medical and health care. The *Chinese Pharmacopoeia* notes that it “calms the liver, extinguishes wind, dispels wind, and calms wheezing. It is used for dizziness, vertigo, limb numbness, childhood convulsions, epilepsy, hypertension, and ear-related vertigo.” The *National Compilation of Chinese Herbal Medicines* states that Gastrodia elata “treats hypertension, vertigo, headache, facial paralysis, limb numbness, and childhood convulsions.” Some renowned physicians summarize Gastrodia elata’s benefits as “three anti-, three sedative-, and one tonic” — meaning anti-epileptic, anti-convulsant, anti-rheumatic; sedative, antispasmodic, analgesic; and tonic. Recent research continues to uncover new medical and health benefits. For example, Gastrodia elata is used among high-altitude flight personnel as a brain health supplement to enhance visual nerve discrimination. Japan uses it to treat senile dementia. As science and technology develop, understanding of Gastrodia elata’s chemical composition and pharmacology deepens, leading to wider development of Gastrodia elata-based products.

　　Jinzhai County has large-scale Gastrodia elata cultivation, high output, and excellent quality. With base-supported factories, the area holds great potential for development. All sectors of society are welcome to establish Gastrodia elata processing enterprises in Jinzhai County.

　　Jinzhai Gastrodia elata

　　Jinzhai County Traditional Chinese Medicine Association

　　12973040

　　Gastrodia elata (Chinese medicinal herb)