Mengshan Scorpions

Mengshan Scorpions

Mengshan Scorpions are a product with a geographical indication for agricultural products.

　　Yishan Scorpions are one of the precious animal medicinal ingredients. The use of scorpions in medicine was first recorded in the *Shu Bencao* (Shu Herbal), dating back over 1,100 years.

　　Scorpions are distributed across counties in the Yimeng Mountain area, but are primarily found in counties such as Yiyuan and Mengyin, hence they are also known as “Mengshan Scorpions.” Due to the highly suitable climate and environmental conditions in the northern part of Mengshan, which are ideal for the breeding and growth of mountain scorpions, scorpion resources here are extremely abundant, with reserves exceeding 25,500 jin. Mengshan Scorpions not only have high yields, but are also large and plump. A distinct characteristic is their two pincers and eight legs (other regions’ scorpions also typically have two pincers and eight legs), a slightly reddish color, and excellent medicinal quality, making them truly premium-grade scorpions.

　　Scorpions are mainly composed of scorpion venom and also contain ingredients such as betaine, trimethylamine, taurine, and lecithin. They are neutral in nature and sweet-spicy in flavor, and serve as an essential herb for treating various wind-related disorders. They function to calm wind, relieve spasms, dispel wind, and attack toxins.

　　The Mengyin County Winery uses high-quality Mengshan scorpions caught around the time of “Grain Rain,” combined with various Chinese herbal medicines and brewed with premium white liquor to produce “Mengshan Brand” scorpion wine. This wine features a golden, transparent color, a harmonious and refreshing aroma of both herbs and alcohol, a pure taste with a slight sweetness, and offers benefits such as penetrating bones, dispelling dampness, expelling wind, relieving pain, unblocking meridians, and detoxifying. In 1988, it won the Golden Crane Award for Quality Health Products in China and the Silver Award at the First China Food Expo.

　　In recent years, scorpions have also become a delicacy, enjoyed as an accompaniment to drinks, with a crispy, fragrant, and mellow taste. Dried Mengshan Scorpions are generally priced at 350–400 yuan per 500 grams and are available in stores across Linyi City.

　　Geographic Scope

　　The protected geographic area for Mengshan Scorpions covers the Mengshan region of Linyi City, Shandong Province. The geographical coordinates are: latitude 35°02′–36°02′ N, longitude 117°36′–118°25′ E, stretching 70 km from north to south and 60 km from east to west, covering a total area of approximately 200,000 hectares. It mainly involves most of Mengyin County surrounding Mengshan, as well as parts of Pingyi County, Feixian County, and Yinan County.

　　Product Quality Characteristics

　　1. External Sensory Characteristics: Mengshan Scorpions are large and plump, with the distinct feature of two pincers and eight legs (other regions’ scorpions usually have two pincers and six legs), thus called “ten-leg scorpions,” with a slightly reddish color and excellent medicinal quality. 2. Internal Quality Indicators: Mengshan Scorpions are mainly composed of scorpion venom and also contain ingredients such as betaine, trimethylamine, taurine, and lecithin. They are neutral in nature and sweet-spicy in flavor, with a protein content of over 35%. Each 100g of scorpion powder contains about 6mg–6.5mg of calcium, about 55mg–60mg of zinc, and about 25mg–27mg of iron. Additionally, they are rich in amino acids and elements such as potassium and sodium. They serve as an essential herb for treating various wind-related disorders, functioning to calm wind, relieve spasms, dispel wind, and attack toxins. 3. Safety Requirements: Mengshan Scorpions are produced in a superior environment, free from any pollution, and offer high medicinal value, making them safe for human consumption. The product quality complies with the *Food Hygiene Law of the People’s Republic of China*, the *Agricultural Product Quality and Safety Law of the People’s Republic of China*, and related standards.