How to Grow and Care for Jinbuhuan
Jinbuhuan, also known as Panax notoginseng, is a very common Chinese herbal medicine. It is a perennial herbaceous plant, and its stems, leaves and flowers can all be used as medicine. So how do you grow Jinbuhuan?
1. How to grow Jinbuhuan?
1. Weeding: The roots of Jinbuhuan are mostly distributed in the top 15 cm of soil, so deep cultivation is not advisable, as it may damage the roots. After the seedlings emerge, weeds on the bed surface should be removed promptly. While weeding, if rhizomes or roots are found exposed above the ground, soil should be mounded up around them.
2. Watering and drainage: During dry seasons, water frequently to keep the bed surface moist. When watering, use a spray rather than pouring, otherwise the plants may lodge. During the rainy season, especially after heavy rain, remove standing water promptly to prevent root rot and other diseases.
3. Building a shade frame and adjusting light transmission: Jinbuhuan prefers shade, so artificial cultivation requires a shade frame. The frame height is 1.5-1.8 m, with side frames set up around it. The frame materials can be sourced locally, generally using wood or cement precast beams as posts, wire stretched across the top as crossbeams, and bamboo woven into squares to lay over the top as cover. The amount of light transmitted through the frame has a close influence on the growth and development of Jinbuhuan. Too little light makes the plants spindly and prone to pests and diseases, with few flowers and fruits; too much light turns the leaves yellow and tends to cause early wilting. Generally, the principle of “sparse in front, dense in the middle, sparse at the back” should be followed, that is, light transmission of 60%-70% in spring, slightly less in summer at 45%-50%, and as temperatures cool in autumn, gradually increasing to 50%-60%.
4. Topdressing: Topdressing for Jinbuhuan should follow the principle of “many times, small amounts.” Generally, after the seedlings sprout and emerge, spread plant ash 2-3 times, using 50-100 kg per mu, to promote robust seedling growth. In April to May, apply a mixed organic fertilizer (barnyard manure and plant ash at 2:1) once, using 2000 kg per mu; for seed-producing plots, add 15 kg of superphosphate to promote full fruits. After clearing the garden in winter, apply another 2000-3000 kg of mixed fertilizer per mu.
5. Removing flower bolts: To prevent wasteful consumption of nutrients and concentrate them in the underground root growth, when flower bolts appear in July, remove all of them, which can increase the yield of Jinbuhuan. Bolt removal should be done on a sunny day.
2. The value of Jinbuhuan
1. Jinbuhuan has a good hemostatic effect, can significantly shorten bleeding and clotting time; it can promote the division and growth of various blood cells and increase their numbers, with a notable blood-nourishing effect; it has a clear therapeutic effect in promoting blood circulation, removing blood stasis, and generating new tissue.
2. While significantly dilating blood vessels, reducing coronary resistance, increasing coronary flow, strengthening and improving coronary microcirculation, and increasing nutrient blood flow to the myocardium, Jinbuhuan can lower arterial pressure and slightly reduce heart rate, thereby reducing the heart's workload and clearly decreasing myocardial oxygen consumption. It can be used to treat myocardial ischemia, angina pectoris and shock.
3. The upper part of Jinbuhuan has an inhibitory effect on the central nervous system, manifesting as sedation, calmness and improved sleep; the underground part can excite the central nervous system, improve mental and physical strength, and show anti-fatigue properties; all of its parts help enhance memory and have a clear analgesic effect.
Jinbuhuan is a relatively precious Chinese herbal medicine with many uses. It is somewhat difficult to grow, but the economic benefits of cultivation are very high.