Dangchang Codonopsis

Dangchang Codonopsis

Dangchang Codonopsis is a product with geographical indication status.

　　Dangchang Codonopsis is of high quality and is often mentioned in the same breath as Wen Codonopsis, enjoying fame both at home and abroad. As early as the 33rd year of the Guangxu reign during the Qing Dynasty (1874 AD), over 300 dan were exported. In the 32nd year of the Republic of China (1943 AD), total sales reached 500 dan, with each dan weighing 360 jin, amounting to 180,000 jin in total. Codonopsis can be grown all over the county, and gradually shifted from wild growth to cultivation after 1965, with large-scale planting beginning in the 1980s. The areas with the largest cultivation include Shizi, Xinzhai, Guanting, Zhuyuan, HaoTi, and Nanyang. The county's annual planting area exceeds 4,000 mu, with a total yield of 500,000 jin. In 1984, it was awarded the "Export Commodity Honor Certificate" by the Ministry of Foreign Economic Relations, exporting 200,000–300,000 jin annually and generating foreign exchange of $300,000.

　　There are many varieties of Codonopsis used for medicinal purposes, among which Wen Codonopsis is of the highest quality. Its roots are used medicinally, with a sweet and neutral nature that can tonify the middle burner and benefit qi. It is mainly used to treat conditions caused by spleen and lung qi deficiency, and can substitute ginseng in invigorating the spleen and lungs, supporting health and dispelling pathogens.

　　Dangchang County is one of the main production areas of Codonopsis. Currently, the county has around 60,000 mu of Codonopsis cultivation, making it one of the five leading medicinal herbs in Dangchang. Townships such as Guanting, Shizi, and Zhuyuan mainly produce perennial Wen Codonopsis, while townships such as Haoke, Nanyang, and Hanyuan mainly produce the white-stemmed Codonopsis harvested annually. All are grown using pollution-free methods, resulting in high quality that is highly favored by merchants both within and outside the province.

　　Dangchang Codonopsis

　　Geographic Scope

　　The main planting areas of Dangchang Codonopsis are located in the upstream regions of the Hanjiang River in the eastern part of Dangchang County, including the HaoTi River Basin, Lianggong River Basin, and the cold and humid high-altitude zones where the Lianggong River Basin meets the Bailong River Basin. The coordinates span from longitude 104°36′ to 104°47′ and latitude 33°55′ to 34°02′, with altitudes ranging from 1,800 to 2,400 meters. The terrain gradually rises from east to west, bordered by Shajin Township of Li County to the east, Wudu District to the south, MaoYushan Village of Linjiang Township to the west, and AiZiBa Village of Xinghua Township to the north. The region includes 109 administrative villages across 9 townships: HaoTi, Hanyuan, Nanyang, Xinghua, Zhuyuan, Shizi, Xinzhai, Guanting, and Lianghekou. The total area is 1,225.2 square kilometers, with 56,000 mu dedicated to Codonopsis cultivation and an annual output of 42,000 tons.

　　Product Quality Characteristics

　　1. External Sensory Features: The main root is mostly long and cylindrical, tapering towards the tip, with a swollen root head at the top featuring multiple wart-like stem scars, commonly known as a “lion’s head.” The root is thick and sturdy with few branches, smooth or nearly smooth on the upper part. The main root is plump, fleshy, and white when fresh, with black gelatinous material visible at broken ends. When dried, the outer skin turns beige, with circular rings from the head to the fork and vertical striations on lateral roots. The cross-section shows a beige medulla, dense texture, and a sweet taste without residue. It has a sweet flavor and distinctive aroma, with high medicinal value. 2. Internal Quality Indicators: Dangchang Codonopsis is rich in trace elements, including zinc ≥20 mg/kg, iron ≥400 mg/kg, calcium ≥2 mg/kg, manganese ≥15 mg/kg, phosphorus ≥2.5 mg/kg, and magnesium ≥1.5 mg/kg. 3. Safety Requirements: The production of Dangchang Codonopsis strictly follows the standards of “NY5318-2006 Pollution-Free Food Herbaceous Plants,” using agricultural inputs and field substances reasonably according to the “Standardized Production Technical Regulations for Dangchang Codonopsis in Longnan City.” The use of highly toxic pesticides banned by the state and plant growth hormones is strictly prohibited. Pesticide safety intervals must be strictly enforced, and products may only be sold after passing pesticide residue inspections.