Zizhou Astragalus

Zizhou Astragalus

Zizhou Astragalus is a protected geographical indication product.

　　Zizhou Astragalus, commonly known as “Zizhou Qi,” is a traditional Chinese medicinal herb and a specialty of Zizhou County, Shaanxi Province. Its dried roots are used medicinally and are known for their efficacy in replenishing qi and strengthening the body’s foundation, promoting diuresis and reducing swelling, detoxifying and discharging pus, and promoting tissue regeneration. It holds high medicinal value. Zizhou Astragalus is renowned across China for its bright color and superior quality, earning the reputation of “Northeast Ginseng, Zizhou Qi.” It is the only product among China’s six major traditional Chinese medicine bases that meets export standards. The product is exported to Southeast Asia, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, Macao, and other regions. In May 2008, the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of China issued Announcement No. 49 (2008), announcing the implementation of national geographical indication product protection for Zizhou Astragalus.

　　Cultivation Environment

　　Zizhou County boasts abundant land resources, with loose soil, deep soil layers, ample sunlight, and significant diurnal temperature variation, all of which are conducive to the accumulation of various active components in Astragalus and highly suitable for its growth and development. Located in the heart of the Loess Plateau hilly and gully region of northern Shaanxi and in the southern part of Yulin City, Shaanxi Province, Zizhou spans the sub-arid zone between the mid-temperate and warm temperate zones. It features a continental monsoon climate, with an average annual temperature of 9.2°C, an annual frost-free period of 170 days, annual sunshine duration of 2,543.3 hours, and a sunshine percentage of 59%. The Wuding River basin within the county has relatively extensive land with loose soil, deep layers, and diverse types. Loessial soil accounts for 89.97% of the total soil area in the county, offering good tillability, permeability, water retention, and fertility performance, along with high organic matter content and strong production capability. The soil is free from heavy metals, pesticide residues, and pollution from industrial or mining enterprises, providing natural conditions for the development of green and pollution-free products.

　　The unique geographical environment and climatic characteristics endow Zizhou County with ideal conditions for growing Astragalus, a precious traditional Chinese medicinal herb known as the “sacred medicine for treating sores.”

　　Medicinal Properties

　　Zizhou Astragalus is slightly warm in nature and sweet in taste. It functions to replenish qi and consolidate the exterior, suppress sweating and detoxify, promote tissue regeneration, induce diuresis, and reduce swelling. It is especially valued for tonifying deficiencies and is commonly used for individuals experiencing prolonged physical decline, weak speech, and faint, thready pulse. It is characterized by tonifying without causing greasiness.

　　Biological Characteristics

　　Zizhou Astragalus is a perennial herbaceous plant of the Leguminosae family, well-known for its thick and long roots, few wrinkles, firm yet soft texture, rich powderiness, and sweet taste. It is abundant in astragaloside IV, quercetin, isoquercetin, rhamnocitrin, β-2 sitosterol, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, and 14 trace elements such as selenium, zinc, copper, and iron. According to tests conducted by the Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Bio-pharmaceuticals, the astragaloside IV content in Zizhou Astragalus is 0.093%, the highest among all Astragalus varieties in China (Inner Mongolia Astragalus: 0.088%, Gansu Astragalus: 0.06%, Shanxi Astragalus: 0.056%, Hebei Astragalus: 0.062%, Shandong Astragalus: 0.071%; national average: 0.05%). Testing by Tianjin Xintianada Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. on raw materials showed the arsenic salt content in Zizhou Astragalus...<0.2ppm，重金属含量<20ppm，灰份2.58%，酸不溶性灰份0.24%。.

　　Production Situation

　　Zizhou County promotes support efforts through methods such as cultivation demonstrations and setting typical examples. Leveraging its resource advantages, it vigorously pursues the “Zizhou Qi” brand strategy, aiming to develop Zizhou Astragalus into a signature industry that drives county economic development, enhances agricultural efficiency, and enriches local farmers. Various intermediary service organizations have become increasingly well-established, and the supply and distribution channels for medicinal herbs are smooth. A preliminary industrial development system has been formed, based on medicinal herb cultivation, supported by processing and marketing, and aimed at increasing farmers’ income. Astragalus production has become a pillar and leading industry for local farmers to boost their income and achieve prosperity. Astragalus cultivation is spread across 18 townships throughout the county. In 2008, there were three provincial-level “One Village One Product” specialized demonstration villages for medicinal herbs, three farmer professional cooperatives for medicinal herbs, and a preserved Astragalus planting area of 83,000 mu, accounting for 13.17% of the total cultivated land area. Annual Astragalus production reached 3,730 tons, with an annual output value of 51.8 million yuan. There were over 20 Astragalus processing enterprises, producing a variety of export-grade Astragalus roots, Astragalus slices, Astragalus tea, and other related products. These products are exported to Southeast Asia, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, Macao, and other regions. In 2010, the total preserved Astragalus planting area in the county reached 100,000 mu, accounting for 15.8% of the total cultivated land area. Annual Astragalus production hit 6,000 tons, with an output value of 96 million yuan, an average yield of 200 kg per mu, and a value of 3,200 yuan.

　　Geographical Indication Product Protection

　　Protected Area

　　The protected area for Zizhou Astragalus geographical indication products is based on the scope proposed in the Letter on Requesting Delineation of the Protected Area for Zizhou Astragalus Geographical Indication Products (Zi Zheng Han [2007] No. 51) issued by the People’s Government of Zizhou County, Shaanxi Province. It includes the administrative regions of 18 townships in Zizhou County: Shuanghuyu Town, Hejiaji Town, Laojunmiao Town, Peijiawan Town, Huainingwan Township, Tuoruxiang Township, Miaojiaping Town, Sanchakou Town, Matigou Town, Guze Wan Township, Li Xiaohe Township, Dianshi Town, Shuidiwan Township, Macha Township, Zhoujiayan Town, Huai Shu Chay Township, Gaoping Township, and Zhuanmiao Town.