Tengyao

Last updated 2026-11-10 — Tengchong has long been known as a “natural botanical garden,” where “three medicinal plants can be found within every ten steps,” boasting an abundant supply of traditional Chinese herbal resources. As early as the late Ming and early Qing dynasties, Tengchong gained widespread fame both at home and abroad for its authentic raw materials, well-formulated recipes, and notably effective proprietary Chinese medicines. During the Republic of China period, the production and operation of Tengyao reached a heyday, with dozens of pharmacies and clinics offering hundreds of different remedies. Among the more renowned were “Yunshengtang” and “Taihetang.” After the liberation, local health authorities and medical institutions not only made full use of wild flora and fauna for medicinal purposes but also established several artificial cultivation sites, such as the Heshun Deer Farm and the Gaoligong Mountain Herbal Farm. They collected and selected numerous folk prescriptions proven to be highly effective, scaling up their production. Their flagship products, such as Ren Shen Zai Zao Wan (Ginseng Regeneration Pills) and Zhen Zhu Bao Long Wan (Pearl Dragon Embracing Pills), were all made with precious herbs and enjoyed great prestige domestically, while also being widely exported to Southeast Asia. Meanwhile, Liu Shen Wan (Six God Pills), once deemed by many physicians as uniquely effective against various childhood fevers and considered an essential household remedy, had earned an outstanding reputation — regrettably, this outstanding medicine, unparalleled among those sharing its name, ceased production in 1996 due to the failure to register its trademark in time. This was a significant loss for both the manufacturer and patients alike. (Baoshan)