Deqing Buddha’s Hand

Deqing Buddha’s Hand

　　   Also known as nine-clawed wood, five-fingered orange, or Citrus medica, the Buddha’s Hand is an evergreen small tree of the Rutaceae family. It is a fine plant renowned for its shape, color, and fragrance. The flowers of the Buddha’s Hand come in white, red, and purple. The white flowers are pure and clean, the red ones dignified, and the purple ones elegant. Its leaves are deep green and remain lush all year round. The fruit is golden yellow, highly fragrant, and uniquely shaped like a hand—with a thousand different postures that bring endless delight. A poem praises it: “The golden fruit, the rich fragrance, both blessings and longevity suit it well; among flowering fruits, only it reigns supreme, bringing joy to all.” Hence, the name “Buddha’s Hand” comes from this.

　　   The Buddha’s Hand not only has high ornamental value, but also significant medicinal and economic value. The entire plant is precious, with its roots, stems, leaves, flowers, and fruits all usable for medicine. It tastes pungent, bitter, sweet, and warm, is non-toxic, and affects the liver, spleen, and stomach meridians. It offers multiple therapeutic benefits such as regulating qi, resolving phlegm, relieving cough and bloating, soothing the liver, strengthening the spleen, and harmonizing the stomach. Historical records indicate that the roots can treat male diabetes and weakness in the limbs; the flowers and fruits can be used to make tea that helps relieve stress; the fruit can treat stomach ailments, vomiting, choking sensations, high blood pressure, bronchitis, asthma, and more. According to texts like the “Meridian Attribution,” the Buddha’s Hand also treats abdominal distension, swelling, women’s leukorrhea, and has a sobering effect, making it a key ingredient in formulated Buddha’s Hand traditional medicines.

　　   Deqing County is located on the northern bank of the middle reaches of the Xijiang River and falls within a subtropical monsoon climate zone. The climate is mild, with abundant and evenly distributed rainfall and plenty of sunshine. There is no distinct frost period in winter, which is very conducive to the growth and fruiting of Guang Buddha’s Hand. Moreover, after years of technical research, our county has mastered a complete set of high-yield and high-quality cultivation techniques for Guang Buddha’s Hand, with products from Wulong being the best.