Nanjiang Eucommia

Nanjiang Eucommia

Nanjiang Eucommia is a protected geographical indication product.

　　Nanjiang Eucommia is a type of traditional Chinese medicinal herb and a specialty of Nanjiang County in Sichuan Province. Nanjiang Eucommia is a deciduous tree that can grow up to 20 meters tall, and its bark is primarily used for medicinal purposes. Known for its large size, thick bark, minimal rough outer layer, and high content of active ingredients, Nanjiang Eucommia has gained widespread recognition in the market. Medicinally, it offers anti-aging benefits and helps regulate blood pressure. It also helps lower blood lipids and blood sugar, promotes bowel movement, aids in weight loss and beauty, enhances immunity, relieves fatigue, strengthens kidney function and male vitality, and supports liver health and alcohol detoxification. Professor Hu Xiuying from Harvard University even claimed that “Eucommia is currently the highest quality natural antihypertensive drug in the world with no toxic side effects.” Planting History: The people of Nanjiang have cultivated and used Eucommia for generations, developing a deep emotional connection to the plant and gradually mastering its growth patterns and medicinal properties. They have planted large quantities around their homes and villages not only because it beautifies the environment but also due to its medicinal value and potential economic and social benefits. By using an eco-friendly ring-barking method, they peel the bark in a circular fashion without killing the tree, thereby increasing yield per unit area and improving resource utilization. In recent years, with the integrated advancement of urban-rural planning and targeted poverty alleviation efforts, the locals have combined the development of Eucommia bases with rural tourism, leveraging national-level tourist brands such as the Guangwushan “4A”-rated scenic spot and the Micang Mountain National Forest Park. This has led to the establishment of eco-tourism-oriented Eucommia gardens, paving the way for an environmentally friendly and sustainable development model. During the annual “Guangwushan Red Leaf Festival,” locals often gather to make Eucommia soup, enjoy Eucommia tea, savor Eucommia-themed banquets, and sing the “Eucommia Ballad”... The simple and rustic mountain village customs have won high praise from urban visitors, attracting tens of thousands of tourists. This has created a picturesque rural scene embodying the folk culture and customs surrounding Nanjiang Eucommia. Industry Development: In recent years, the State Council, the Sichuan Provincial Government, and the Bazhong Municipal Government have successively issued policy documents such as the “Several Opinions on Supporting and Promoting the Development of Traditional Chinese Medicine” (State Council Document [2009] No. 22), the “Sichuan Province Implementation Opinions on Accelerating the Development of the Traditional Chinese Medicine Industry” (Chuanbanfa [2008] No. 6), and the “Bazhong City Traditional Chinese Medicine Industry 12th Five-Year Development Plan.” These have provided strong momentum and policy support for the healthy development of the traditional Chinese medicine industry. The Nanjiang County Party Committee and County People’s Government have earnestly implemented major decisions and arrangements at the national, provincial, and municipal levels. Leveraging the county’s natural ecological resources and historical heritage in traditional Chinese medicine, they have significantly adjusted the structure of TCM planting, production, and processing. They have focused on developing characteristic and competitive TCM herbs such as Eucommia, Magnolia officinalis, and Epimedium, and have accelerated the establishment of a modern TCM industry with local Nanjiang characteristics. These efforts have yielded remarkable results, including the introduction of Sichuan Baicao Traditional Chinese Medicine Company—the only key enterprise in the city specializing in TCM planting, storage, slicing, and packaging. Across the county, under the “leading enterprises + bases + standardized practices + farmers” model, 100,000 mu (about 6,666 hectares) of Eucommia have been planted, comprising over 6 million trees. In 2011, the county had a reserve of 7,100 tons of dried Eucommia bark, 13,860 tons of branch bark, produced 13,980 tons of leaves, and 2 tons of seeds. During the “12th Five-Year Plan” period, the county plans to establish 2 modern Eucommia industrial parks and 200,000 mu of standardized planting bases. The Eucommia industry will become a major pillar of the rural economy in Nanjiang.

　　The production area of Nanjiang Eucommia covers the entire current administrative region of Nanjiang County, Sichuan Province.