Fangxian Giant Knotweed

Fangxian Giant Knotweed

Fangxian Giant Knotweed is a product with geographical indication status for agricultural goods.

　　Fangxian Giant Knotweed

　　Giant Knotweed is an important traditional Chinese medicinal herb, known for its functions such as clearing heat and dampness, promoting blood circulation to relieve pain, facilitating bowel movements and detoxification, and relieving cough and reducing phlegm. It contains an important substance—resveratrol. Resveratrol is a natural antioxidant that can reduce blood viscosity, inhibit platelet aggregation and promote vasodilation, helping to maintain smooth blood flow and prevent the occurrence and progression of cancer. Cultivating Giant Knotweed artificially offers high economic benefits.

　　Medicinal Herb

　　Geographical Scope

　　The production area of Fangxian Giant Knotweed covers 19 townships within Fangxian County, Hubei Province, including Shahe Township, Wanyuhe Township, Qingfeng Town, Jundian Town, Yao huai Town, Menggusi Town, Zhongba Township, Tucheng Town, and others, involving over 100 villages. The geographical coordinates are between 110°02′ to 111°15′ east longitude and 31°34′ to 32°31′ north latitude. The plant grows at altitudes of 400 to 1800 meters, with a cultivation area of 2,000 hectares, a total fresh yield of 150,000 tons, and a total output value of 300 million yuan.

　　Product Quality and Characteristic Features

　　1. Appearance Characteristics: The rhizome of Giant Knotweed is woody, yellowish-brown, with distinct nodes. The stem is erect, cylindrical, tufted, hairless, and hollow. Cut segments or slices are generally 3–7 cm long, with a diameter of about 1–3.5 cm. The nodes are slightly raised, the surface is brownish to grayish-brown, with distinct longitudinal wrinkles, fibrous roots, and dot-like root scars. The texture is hard and not easily broken, with a brownish-yellow cross-section. 2. Internal Quality Indicators: According to this standard, the dried product has moisture content ≤12%; emodin ≥1.10%, and polydatin content ≥2.50%. The emodin and polydatin content of Fangxian Giant Knotweed exceed the pharmacopoeia standards by two times and more than twenty times, respectively. 3. Product Quality and Safety: The cultivation and production process of Fangxian Giant Knotweed complies with the standards of "Green Food - Environmental Quality of Production Areas" (NY/T391-2013), "Green Food - Pesticide Use Guidelines" (NY/T393-2013), GB/T8321 (all parts) on the rational use of pesticides, and "Green Food - Fertilizer Use Guidelines" (NY/T394-2013).