Epimedium koreanum from Changbai Mountain

Epimedium koreanum from Changbai Mountain

Epimedium koreanum from Changbai Mountain is a protected geographical indication product.

　　Epimedium koreanum from Changbai Mountain, also known as Korean Epimedium, is a perennial herbaceous plant predominantly distributed in the Changbai Mountain region of Northeast China. It commonly grows at elevations between 450 to 750 meters, thriving under broad-leaved forests or mixed coniferous and broad-leaved forests. It prefers loose, fertile soil with high humus content. In 2006, the State General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine approved the implementation of geographical indication product protection for Epimedium koreanum from Changbai Mountain.

　　There are approximately 50 species of Epimedium worldwide, mainly distributed in temperate and subtropical regions of Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. China has around 40 species, accounting for about 80% of the global total, primarily found in the southwestern and central-southern parts of the country. Epimedium koreanum from Changbai Mountain, however, is only produced in the northeastern region of China and has been included as an authentic medicinal material in all editions of the Pharmacopoeia of the People’s Republic of China. Wild Epimedium koreanum from Changbai Mountain is mainly found in the Changbai Mountain area of Jilin Province, particularly around Baishan City, with the largest yield in the Linjiang area. This region boasts rich resources and abundant biodiversity. Deep within its dense forests grow valuable medicinal herbs such as ginseng, Schisandra chinensis, and Astragalus membranaceus, making it one of the world’s rare gene pools and natural museums of species. The vast broad-leaved forests, cool and moist climate, fertile humus soil layers, and diffused sunlight all provide an exceptionally favorable environment for the growth of Epimedium koreanum from Changbai Mountain.

　　　The medicinal value of Epimedium koreanum from Changbai Mountain was recorded as early as in the Han Dynasty’s “Shennong Bencao Jing” (The Divine Farmer's Materia Medica), which states that it “treats impotence, severe injuries, neck pain, facilitates urination, boosts energy, and strengthens the mind.” Its processing and preparation methods were first documented in the “Leigong Paozhi Lun” (Lei Gong’s Treatise on the Processing of Medicines) during the Northern and Southern Dynasties, dating back 1,700 years. 　　Epimedium koreanum from Changbai Mountain is a traditional tonic-type Chinese herbal medicine listed in the Pharmacopoeia of the People’s Republic of China, known for its effects in warming and nourishing kidney yang, strengthening muscles and bones, and dispelling rheumatism. It can be used to treat conditions such as impotence, spermatorrhea, premature ejaculation, urinary incontinence, cold and painful joints, and irregular menstruation. Modern medical research indicates that, in addition to its traditional medicinal value and applications, Epimedium koreanum from Changbai Mountain also offers many new pharmacological actions and uses. For instance, it helps combat aging, promotes bone growth, and improves hematopoietic system disorders, among other benefits. As a result, its derivatives are among the most sought-after products in modern medicine and the food industry, making it a highly valuable botanical medicinal resource with great development potential.