Qichun Prunella

Qichun Prunella

Qichun Prunella is a protected geographical indication product.

　　Qichun Prunella

　　Hubei’s Qichun County is the hometown of Li Shizhen, the great medical scientist of China. The county has a subtropical continental monsoon climate, featuring distinct seasons, mild weather, and abundant rainfall. With a forest coverage rate of 57.3%, the area boasts a sound ecological environment, fresh air free from dust, and clean unpolluted water. The unique geographical environment and climatic conditions are highly suitable for the growth of medicinal herbs. Of the 1,892 types of medicinal materials recorded in the Compendium of Materia Medica, over 1,000 can be found in Qichun. Qichun Prunella is one of the many medicinal herbs produced in the region.

　　　　Compared to Prunella from other regions, Qichun Prunella is distinctive in several aspects. First, in terms of appearance: it has longer inflorescences and larger spikes. Qichun Prunella measures 2–8 cm in length and 1.0–2.0 cm in diameter, whereas common Prunella typically ranges only 1.5–6 cm in length and 0.8–1.5 cm in diameter. Second, in terms of internal quality: Qichun Prunella has higher extract content and rosmarinic acid content. The former is ≥10.5%, with the highest detected value reaching 21.5%. The latter is ≥0.20%, with the highest detected value reaching 0.36%. Both contents are higher than those of Prunella produced in other regions.

　　　　According to historical records, the name “Prunella” first appeared in the Shen Nong’s Herbal Classic. Later, various traditional herbals and modern pharmacopoeias have documented it in detail. In his work Compendium of Materia Medica, Li Shizhen clearly recorded the properties of Qichun Prunella: “It treats cold and heat, scrofula, swollen head sores, dissipates nodules and qi, reduces foot swelling and dampness-induced paralysis, and lightens the body.” He also provided seven prescriptions for treatment. Li Shizhen explicitly described the medicinal value of Qichun Prunella, which later generations regard as the classic description of this herb and has been cited in medical texts throughout history. By the Qing Dynasty, during the Xianfeng and Guangxu reigns, the local chronicle Qizhou Annals listed Qichun Prunella as a local specialty in the “Volume Three: Local Products” section, and it was submitted to the imperial court as a tribute. The results of the 1986 survey on Chinese herbal medicine resources showed that the annual yield of Qichun Prunella reached 100,000 kilograms, making it a major production area for Prunella.

　　　　Qichun Prunella is also a fine dual-purpose herb for both medicine and food. To this day, it remains a local custom in Qichun to use Prunella in preparing medicinal diets and soups.

　　　　In order to maintain the quality and reputation of Qichun Prunella, combat unfair competition, crack down on counterfeit and shoddy products, build a well-known brand, and promote industrial development, on May 29 of this year, the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine issued Announcement No. 55, implementing geographical indication product protection for Qichun Prunella.

　　The production area of Qichun Prunella includes the following 15 towns and subdistricts under the jurisdiction of Qichun County, Hubei Province: Qizhou Town, Balihu Subdistrict, Chidong Town, Caohe Town, Hengche Town, Pengsi Town, Guanyao Town, Zhulin Town, Liuhe Town, Shizi Town, Qingshi Town, Xiangqiao Township, Zhangbang Town, Tanlin Town, and Datong Town.

　　 Qichun County local standard: DB421126/16-2013 "Qichun Prunella Cultivation Technical Regulations"