Astragalus from Liupan Mountain

Astragalus from Liupan Mountain

Astragalus from Liupan Mountain is a product with a geographical indication for agricultural products.

　　Astragalus from Liupan Mountain is a specialty of Longde County, Guyuan, Ningxia. Originally known as “Huang Qi,” astragalus was first recorded in the “Shennong Bencao Jing” (The Divine Farmer's Materia Medica). The Song Dynasty text “Tujing Bencao” (Illustrated Materia Medica) states: “The best also comes from Yuanzhou (present-day Guyuan, Ningxia) and Huayuan (present-day Yao County, Shaanxi).” Longde County is the main production area of “Yuanzhou Astragalus.” Local residents have a long history of artificially cultivating and domesticating wild astragalus. Since the reform and opening-up, the Longde County Party Committee and government have placed great emphasis on the traditional Chinese medicine industry, listing it as one of the three major advantageous and distinctive industries. They have formulated preferential policies to support the development of the industry, helping local farmers escape poverty and achieve prosperity. Astragalus is an authentic medicinal herb of Longde County, used both for medicine and food. It has the effects of benefiting qi and elevating yang, consolidating the exterior to check sweating, and promoting urination to reduce swelling. It can enhance heart function, protect myocardial tissue, and lower blood pressure. It also helps prolong cell lifespan and delay cellular aging. The main products of Longde County’s astragalus include astragalus slices and astragalus-based health supplements.

　　Region: Ningxia

　　Applicant: Longde County Traditional Chinese Medicine Industry Office

　　Year of designation: 2013

　　Geographical Scope

　　The geographical indication protection area for Astragalus from Liupan Mountain includes 13 towns and townships with a total of 127 administrative villages, specifically: 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 lies between 105°48′–106°15′ east longitude and 35°21′–35°47′ north latitude, stretching 47 km from north to south and 41 km from east to west. The region has an artificial cultivation area of 3,000 hectares, with an annual output of 10,000 tons.

　　Product Quality Characteristics

　　1. External sensory characteristics: The main root is deep and long, about 30–80 cm, with a diameter of 1.5–3 cm. The upper part is thicker, rod-shaped, slightly woody, and light brownish-yellow. 2. Internal quality characteristics: The astragaloside content of Astragalus from Liupan Mountain ranges from 0.18%–0.21%, and calycosin-7-O-β-D-glucoside from 0.02%–0.03%. 3. Safety requirements: Air, irrigation water, surface water, and pesticide use comply with the following relevant national and industry standards: People's Republic of China National Standard – Ambient Air Quality Standards (GB3095—1996); People's Republic of China National Standard – Soil Environmental Quality Standards (GB15618-1995); People's Republic of China National Standard – Farmland Irrigation Water Quality Standards (GB5084—1992); People's Republic of China National Standard – Safe Use Standards for Pesticides (GB4285—1989); People's Republic of China Pesticide Industry Standard – Guidelines for Pesticide Use in Green Food (NY/T393-2000); Import Green Industry Standard for Medicinal Plants and Preparations; People's Republic of China Pharmacopoeia (2010 Edition)