Jinchuan Gentiana Macrophylla

Jinchuan Gentiana

Jinchuan Gentiana is a protected geographical indication product.

　　Gentiana is a perennial herbaceous plant of the Gentianaceae family and one of the primary medicinal herbs used to treat rheumatic joint pain, fever associated with tuberculosis, jaundice, and other conditions. In Qinghai Province, the Gentiana from Huangnan is particularly renowned for its superior quality. It is one of China’s important traditional Chinese medicinal herbs, first recorded in the “Shennong Bencao Jing,” where it is classified as a medium-grade herb. “Gentiana treats cold and heat pathogens, cold-damp wind impediment, limb joint pain, promotes urination, and facilitates diuresis.”

　　Gentiana is one of China’s important traditional Chinese medicinal herbs, first recorded in the “Shennong Bencao Jing,” where it is classified as a medium-grade herb. “Gentiana treats cold and heat pathogens, cold-damp wind impediment, limb joint pain, promotes urination, and facilitates diuresis.” The “Mingyi Bielu” (Supplement to the Materia Medica) states that “Gentiana can treat wind disorders, regardless of duration or novelty, and relieves body-wide spasms.” “Gentiana grows in the valleys of Feiniao Mountain.” According to Tao Hongjing, “It now comes from Gan Song, Longdong, and Canling; those with interlaced roots, large in size, yellowish-white in color, are considered the best.” Su Song noted, “Nowadays, it is commonly found in the provinces of He and Shaan. The roots are earth-yellow and twisted, over a foot long, varying in thickness. The stems are five to six inches tall... blooming purple flowers in the sixth month, resembling kudzu flowers... The roots are usually harvested in spring and autumn and dried in the shade.” Based on the morphological descriptions in these herbal texts, Chinese scholar Xia Guangcheng concluded after research that Gentiana refers to plants within the Gentiana section of the Gentiana genus, belonging to the Gentianaceae family. The ancient Gentiana depicted in the illustrations of the “Zhenglei Bencao” (Classified Materia Medica) is identified as today’s Gentiana macrophylla Pall., a species of the Gentiana genus. The “Chinese Pharmacopoeia” (2000 edition) specifies that the original plants of Gentiana include Gentiana macrophylla Pall., Gentiana crassicaulis Duthie, Gentiana dahurica Fisch., and Gentiana straminea Maxim. However, the main commercial varieties of Gentiana in both Shaanxi and Gansu provinces are derived from the roots of Gentiana macrophylla Pall. Furthermore, historical texts state: “Those produced in Jingzhou, Nazhou, and Qizhou are of the highest quality,” indicating that the finest Gentiana originates from Shaanxi. Li Shizhen also pointed out that “Gentiana comes from the central Shaanxi region, and those with interlaced roots are of the best quality—hence the name Gentiana, which means ‘Qin twisted’.” Therefore, among the four authentic plant species, Gentiana macrophylla is the most significant. With a long history of medicinal use, and considering that both Shaanxi and Gansu—located in the heart of the Loess Plateau—are its authentic production regions, Gentiana is an essential herb in traditional Chinese medicine for treating rheumatic pain and joint diseases. It is listed as a Class III nationally protected medicinal plant species under China’s key protected medicinal flora.

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　　The protected geographical indication area for Jinchuan Gentiana includes the administrative regions of 21 townships in Jinchuan County, Sichuan Province: E’re Township, Ergali Township, Guanyinqiao Town, Taiyanghe Township, Kalajiao Township, Sawajiao Township, Jimu Township, Qingning Township, Ke’er Township, Sha’er Township, Jinchuan Town, Lewu Township, Wanlin Township, Hexi Township, Hedong Township, Dusong Township, Malbang Township, Anning Township, Manai Township, Zengda Township, and Kasajiang Township.