Tang Banxia

Tang Banxia

Tang Banxia is a geographical indication protected product.

Tang Banxia is a geographical indication certification trademark.

　　Tang Banxia is a well-known authentic medicinal herb. The application submitted by Tanghe County for the geographical indication registration and protection of the Tang Banxia product has been officially approved by the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of China. Banxia is a perennial herbaceous plant of the Araceae family. The tuber of Pinellia ternata (Thunb) Breit. has effects such as drying dampness to resolve phlegm, lowering rebellious Qi to relieve vomiting, and dissipating nodulation and resolving masses. It is mainly used to treat damp-phlegm, cold-phlegm, vomiting, as well as chest impediment, congealed chest, and plum-pit Qi.

　　There are about nine species of Pinellia plants worldwide. Among them, P. ternata Breit. is found in Korea, P. tripartita Schott is found in Japan, and China has seven species. Apart from P. ternata (Thunb) Breit., the other six are endemic to China. The Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China (2005 edition) includes only one original plant for Banxia, which is Pinellia ternata (Thunb) Breit. In China, Banxia naturally distributes across the northeastern, northern, and Yangtze River basin provinces, with major production in Sichuan, Hubei, Henan, Anhui, and Shandong. Nanyang, as a major producing area of Banxia, has a long history. It is mainly distributed in the hilly and mountainous humid environments of Nanyang Prefecture, including Tanghe, Dengzhou, Sheqi, Tongbai, Neixiang, and Fangcheng. Among these, the Tanghe area has the largest reserves and is renowned for its high yield and superior quality. The product is called “Tang Banxia” and is a well-known authentic medicinal herb. To confirm the varietal advantages of Tang Banxia, protect high-quality germplasm resources, and facilitate further development and utilization, we have conducted a pharmacognostic study and resource survey on the original plant of Tang Banxia.

　　Banxia thrives in humid environments below an altitude of 2,500 meters. It does not tolerate drought, prefers weak light and fears strong light, and likes warmth. During the tuber and sprout swelling period, the most suitable ground temperature is 18°C to 20°C. Nanyang is located between 110°58′ and 113°49′ east longitude and 32°17′ and 33°48′ north latitude. It lies in the heartland of China, bordered by the Funiu Mountains to the north, the Tongbai Mountains to the east, the Qinling Mountains to the west, and the Han River to the south. It is a basin surrounded by mountains on three sides with an opening to the south. The region consists of plains, hills, and mountainous areas, each accounting for one-third of the total area. The annual average temperature is 14.4°C to 15.7°C, with rainfall between 800 and 1,200 mm, belonging to a subtropical-to-warm temperate transitional monsoon continental semi-humid climate. Tanghe County is located on the eastern edge of the Nanyang Basin, with terrain mainly consisting of low mountains and hills. The county enjoys an average annual total sunshine duration of 2,188 hours, an average annual temperature of 15.2°C, and an average annual precipitation of 910 mm. It is evident that Tanghe County has a mild climate, suitable rainfall, and abundant light, heat, and water resources, making it highly conducive to the growth of the Banxia medicinal herb.