Lingshan Liangfen (Cold Jelly)

Lingshan Liangfen

Lingshan Liangfen is a protected geographical indication product.

　　Liangfen herb, also known as xiancao (immortal grass), xianrencao (fairy grass), or xianrendong (fairy jelly), is an annual herbaceous plant that grows in small clumps of weeds on slopes and in valleys, with a wide distribution. Wild liangfen herb can be found along streams and in mountain valleys in the local mountainous areas. The plant comes in various forms, including upright, semi-upright, and creeping types. Its leaves are ovate, elliptic, or long elliptic, with serrated edges and colors ranging from yellow-green to light green and dark green. The stems are square-shaped and come in colors such as green, pale purple-red, and deep purple-red; they can grow up to about 1.5 meters long. According to Volume 4 of the "Supplement to the Compendium of Materia Medica," liangfen herb has the functions of clearing summer heat, reducing fever, and promoting diuresis. It can treat heatstroke, clear heat and relieve summer heat, lower blood pressure, and alleviate joint and muscle pain. The dried whole plant contains approximately 70% carbohydrates, as well as small amounts of protein, flavonoids, polysaccharides, aromatic essences, fats, coffee pigments, and a high content of mineral elements. The polysaccharides in liangfen herb can enhance and improve the body’s immune system; the aromatic essences have calming, cooling, detoxifying, and diuretic effects; the vitamins help regulate and enhance physiological functions; and the large amount of essential trace elements in the plant can inhibit free radical formation, beautify the skin, and combat aging. The "Chinese Medical Encyclopedia" states: liangfen herb “has elegant stems and leaves with a fragrance resembling agarwood and sandalwood. In summer, its juice is extracted and solidified into ice,” offering benefits such as “nourishing the skin and alleviating hunger.” It is a valuable medicinal and edible plant resource from the East. The sixth chapter of the "Lingshan County Annals," titled "Natural Resources," specifically mentions liangfen herb in Section 1 on Plant Resources (page 135).

　　 Lingshan County is located in the subtropical zone, with high temperatures and abundant rainfall, making people susceptible to heat toxins and damp toxins that cause physical discomfort. To prevent heatstroke, reduce internal heat, and eliminate heat toxins, locals would go into the mountains to harvest wild liangfen herb and make it into liangfen jelly for consumption. Through continuous trial and error over time, consuming liangfen as a daily dietary remedy to prevent and treat heat and damp toxins gradually became a common practice. This led to the development of a delicious and health-promoting "liangfen" made from locally grown liangfen herb, which both prevents and treats heat and damp toxins and has been passed down through generations.

　　 During the hot summer months, after a hard day’s work, a bowl of cool liangfen jelly is the top choice for quenching thirst and relieving summer heat. In summer, stalls selling liangfen jelly can be seen everywhere on the streets. Eating liangfen during the dog days (as per the lunar calendar) is a traditional local custom, with the belief that doing so will prevent heat rashes throughout the summer.

　　 Lingshan Liangfen is one of the ethnic foods characteristic of Guangxi. It is primarily made from high-quality liangfen herb sourced from Lingshan County and premium edible starch, refined using traditional techniques. It is a natural, green, and health-promoting food that has been popular among the local people in Lingshan County for hundreds of years, boasting a long history. It offers benefits such as skin nourishment and beautification, laxative effects, moisture removal, heat relief, itch relief, and anti-aging properties.

　　The production area of Lingshan Liangfen includes the administrative regions of 18 towns in Lingshan County, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region: Lingcheng Town, Xinxu Town, Tanwei Town, Nalong Town, Sanlong Town, Lüwu Town, Jiuzhou Town, Shaping Town, Taiping Town, Wuli Town, Bolaoshi Town, Wenli Town, Fozhi Town, Pingshan Town, Pingnan Town, Yandun Town, Fengtang Town, and Shitang Town.