Qinjiao from Liupan Mountain

Qinjiao from Liupan Mountain

Qinjiao from Liupan Mountain is a geographical indication agricultural product.

　　Qinjiao from Liupan Mountain is a specialty of Longde County, Guyuan, Ningxia. Qinjiao was first recorded in the "Shennong Bencao Jing," where it was classified as a medium-grade herb. The "Mingyi Bie Lu" states: "Qinjiao grows in the valleys of Feiniao Mountain." Tao Hongjing noted: "It is now produced in Gansong, Longdong, and Canling; those with intersecting root patterns, large in size, and yellowish-white in color are considered the best." Qinjiao is a perennial herbaceous plant that grows in counties such as Liupan Mountain and Helan Mountain in Ningxia. It thrives in mountain grasslands, roadside slopes, shrublands, and valleys, with abundant resources and relatively high yields. In addition to meeting local and regional medicinal needs, it is also distributed to other provinces. In recent years, excessive harvesting has caused some damage to its resources, resulting in a significant decline in production. Currently, the artificial cultivation of Qinjiao in Longde County, Ningxia, has been largely successful. As a result, Ningxia will gradually supply artificially cultivated herbs for medicinal use. Qinjiao has effects such as lowering blood pressure, slowing heart rate, anti-inflammatory properties, and pain relief.

　　Region: Ningxia

　　Applicant: Longde County Traditional Chinese Medicine Industry Office

　　Region:

　　2013

　　Geographical Scope

　　The geographical indication protection area for the agricultural product Qinjiao from Liupan Mountain includes 13 towns and 127 administrative villages, namely Chengguan Town, Shatang Town, Shenlin Township, Liancai Town, Haoshui Township, Guanzhuang Township, Fengling Township, Wenbao Township, Dian'an Township, Shanhe Township, Chenjin Township, Zhangcheng Township, and Yanghe Township. The protected area is located between 105°48′–106°15′ east longitude and 35°21′–35°47′ north latitude, stretching 47 kilometers from north to south and 41 kilometers from east to west. The region has an artificial cultivation area of 235 hectares and an annual yield of 700 tons.

　　Product Quality Characteristics

　　1. External sensory characteristics: The plant stands 40–60 cm tall with a thick, conical main root that is thicker at the top and thinner at the bottom, twisted and not straight. The surface features longitudinal, twisted wrinkles, measuring 10–30 cm in length and 1–3 cm in diameter, with a few branches. The surface is brownish-yellow or grayish-yellow in color, and it has a bitter taste.   2. Internal quality characteristics: The extract content of Qinjiao from Liupan Mountain is 29.1–29.8%, and the gentiopicroside content is 4.1–4.6%.   3. Safety requirements: Air, irrigation water, surface water, and pesticide use comply with the following relevant national and industry standards:     - National Standard of the People’s Republic of China: Ambient Air Quality Standards (GB3095—1996)     - National Standard of the People’s Republic of China: Soil Environmental Quality Standards (GB15618-1995)     - National Standard of the People’s Republic of China: Farmland Irrigation Water Quality Standards (GB5084—1992)     - National Standard of the People’s Republic of China: Safe Use Standards for Pesticides (GB4285—1989)     - Pesticide Industry Standard of the People’s Republic of China: Guidelines for Pesticide Use in Green Food (NY/T393-2000)     - Green Industry Standard for Import of Medicinal Plants and Preparations     - Pharmacopoeia of the People’s Republic of China (2010 Edition)