Medicinal Herb Growing Guide: What Suits Each Province and Region Across the Country?
Genuine regional herbs, so-called "daodi" medicinal herbs, also called authentic regional herbs, refer to high-quality, pure medicinal herbs grown and produced in the ecological environment and natural conditions of a specific region.
Medicinal herb cultivation has a certain regional character, and different areas may differ greatly. To grow medicinal herbs, you need to understand the medicinal herb market.
Summary of Genuine Regional Medicinal Herbs by Province Across the Country
Shanxi: Astragalus (Huangqi), Codonopsis (Dangshen), Polygala (Yuanzhi), apricot, fennel, Forsythia (Lianqiao), Ephedra (Mahuang), Gentiana macrophylla (Qinjiao), Saposhnikovia (Fangfeng), Polyporus (Zhuling), Anemarrhena (Zhimu), Atractylodes (Cangzhu), Euphorbia kansui (Gansui), etc.
Shandong: Japanese honeysuckle (Jinyinhua, Lonicera japonica), Glehnia (Beishashen), Trichosanthes (Gualou), wild jujube (Suanzao), Polygala (Yuanzhi), Scutellaria (Huangqin), hawthorn (Shanzha), Artemisia capillaris (Yinchen), Cyperus (Xiangfu), peony (Mudan), Cynanchum paniculatum (Xuchangqing), reishi (Lingzhi), Arisaema (Tiannanxing).
Hebei: Anemarrhena (Zhimu), Scutellaria (Huangqin), Saposhnikovia (Fangfeng), woad (Songlan, Isatis indigotica), Bupleurum (Chaihu), Polygala (Yuanzhi), coix (Yiyi), chrysanthemum (Ju), Atractylodes japonica (Beicangzhu), Angelica dahurica (Baizhi), Platycodon (Jiegeng), Ligusticum (Gaoben), Aster (Ziwan), Trollius chinensis (Jinlianhua), Cistanche (Roucongrong), wild jujube (Suanzao), etc.
Zhejiang: Fritillaria thunbergii (Zhebeimu), Corydalis (Yanhusuo), peony (Shaoyao), Atractylodes macrocephala (Baizhu), Scrophularia (Xuanshen), Ophiopogon (Maidong), chrysanthemum (Ju), Angelica dahurica (Baizhi), Magnolia officinalis (Houpo), lily (Baihe), Cornus officinalis (Shanzhuyu), Prunella (Xiakucao), Lindera (Wuyao), Leonurus (Yimucao), etc.
Jiangsu: Platycodon (Jiegeng), mint (Bohe), chrysanthemum (Ju), Pseudostellaria (Taizishen), reed (Luwei), Schizonepeta (Jingjie), perilla (Zisu), Trichosanthes (Gualou), lily (Baihe), woad (Songlan, Isatis indigotica), Euryale (Qianshi), Pinellia (Banxia), Salvia (Danshen), Prunella (Xiakucao), burdock (Niubang), etc.
Fujian: Andrographis (Chuanxinlian), Alisma (Zexie), black plum (Wumei), Pseudostellaria (Taizishen), bitter orange (Suanzheng), longan (Longyan), Trichosanthes (Gualou), Cibotium barometz (Jinmaogouji), Polygonum cuspidatum (Huzhang), Dryopteris (Guanzhong), Rosa laevigata (Jinyingzi), Magnolia officinalis (Houpo), Morinda officinalis (Bajitian), etc.
Jiangxi: bitter orange (Suanzheng), gardenia (Zhizi), Schizonepeta (Jingjie), Mosla (Xiangru), mint (Bohe), Uncaria (Gouteng), Stephania (Fangji), Vitex (Manjingzi), Celosia (Qingxiang), Plantago (Cheqian), Alisma (Zexie), Corydalis decumbens (Xiamianwu), Rubus (Penglei), etc.
Hunan: Magnolia officinalis (Houpo), Chaenomeles (Mugua), Polygonatum sibiricum (Huangjing), Polygonatum odoratum (Yuzhu), peony (Mudan), Lindera (Wuyao), Peucedanum (Qianhu), peony (Shaoyao), Magnolia biondii (Wangchunhua), Bletilla (Baiji), Evodia (Wuzhuyu), lotus (Lian), Prunella (Xiakucao), lily (Baihe), etc.
Hubei: Poria (Fuling), Coptis (Huanglian), Angelica pubescens (Duhuo), Magnolia officinalis (Houpo), Dipsacus (Xuduan), Belamcanda (Shegan), Eucommia (Duzhong), Atractylodes macrocephala (Baizhu), Atractylodes (Cangzhu), Pinellia (Banxia), Hubei fritillaria (Hubeibeimu), etc.
Henan: Rehmannia (Dihuang), Achyranthes (Niuxi), chrysanthemum (Ju), yam (Shuyu), Cornus officinalis (Shanzhuyu), Magnolia biondii (Xinyi), Japanese honeysuckle (Rendong), Magnolia biondii (Wangchunhua), Bupleurum (Chaihu), Angelica dahurica (Baizhi), Platycodon (Jiegeng), Tussilago (Kuandonghua), Forsythia (Lianqiao), Pinellia (Banxia), Polyporus (Zhuling), Typhonium (Dujiaolian), Trichosanthes (Gualou), Arisaema (Tiannanxing), wild jujube (Suanzao), etc.
Anhui: peony (Shaoyao), peony (Mudan), chrysanthemum (Ju), woad (Songlan, Isatis indigotica), Pseudostellaria (Taizishen), privet (Nüzhen), Cynanchum stauntonii (Baiqian), Angelica pubescens (Duhuo), Platycladus (Cebai), Chaenomeles (Mugua), Peucedanum (Qianhu), Poria (Fuling), Atractylodes (Cangzhu), Pinellia (Banxia), etc.
Guangxi: monk fruit (Luohanguo), Desmodium styracifolium (Guangjinqiancao), Abrus cantoniensis (Jigucao), Dendrobium (Shihu), Evodia (Wuzhuyu), Euphorbia (Daji), cinnamon (Rougui), Homalomena (Qiannianjian), Curcuma zedoaria (Ezhu), Asparagus (Tiandong), Curcuma (Yujin), Smilax glabra (Tufuling), Polygonum multiflorum (Heshouwu), star anise (Bajiaohuixiang), Trichosanthes (Gualou), Poria (Fuling), kudzu (Ge), etc.
Guangdong: Amomum villosum (Yangchunsha), Alpinia oxyphylla (Yizhi), Morinda officinalis (Bajitian), Alpinia katsumadai (Caodoukou), cinnamon (Rougui), Terminalia chebula (Hezi), Huazhou pomelo (Huazhouyou), Curculigo (Xianmao), Polygonum multiflorum (Heshouwu), bergamot (Foshou), tangerine (Ju), Lindera (Wuyao), Aristolochia fangchi (Guangfangji), Adzuki bean cardamom (Hongdoukou), patchouli (Guanghuoxiang), Andrographis (Chuanxinlian), etc.
Hainan: areca (Binglang), Amomum villosum (Yangchunsha), Alpinia oxyphylla (Yizhi), nutmeg (Roudoukou), clove (Dingxiang), Morinda officinalis (Bajitian), patchouli (Guanghuoxiang), aloe (Luhui), galangal (Gaoliangjiang), pepper (Hujiao), Anoectochilus (Jinxianlian), etc.
Sichuan: Ligusticum chuanxiong (Chuanxiong), aconite (Wutou), Fritillaria cirrhosa (Chuanbeimu), Inula (Chuanmuxiang), Ophiopogon (Maidong), Angelica dahurica (Baizhi), Achyranthes (Chuanniuxi), Alisma (Zexie), Pinellia (Banxia), Houttuynia (Yuxingcao), Clematis (Chuanmutong), peony (Shaoyao), safflower (Honghua), rhubarb (Dahuang), Quisqualis (Shijunzi), Sichuan chinaberry (Chuanlian), Phellodendron (Huangpishu), Notopterygium (Qianghuo), Coptis (Huanglian), Gastrodia (Tianma), Eucommia (Duzhong), Platycodon (Jiegeng), Sichuan pepper (Huajiao),
bergamot (Foshou), loquat leaf (Pipaye), Lysimachia (Jinqiancao), Codonopsis (Dangshen), Gentiana (Longdan), Magnolia biondii (Xinyi), black plum (Wumei), snow fungus (Yiner), Chuanming ginseng (Chuanmingshen), Bupleurum (Chaihu), Dipsacus (Chuanxuduan), Cordyceps (Dongchongxiacao), dried ginger (Ganjiang), Japanese honeysuckle (Jinyinhua), Salvia (Danshen), Psoralea (Buguzhi), Curcuma (Yujin), turmeric (Jianghuang), Curcuma zedoaria (Ezhu), Asparagus (Tianmendong), white peony (Baishao), Phellodendron (Chuanhuangbai), Magnolia officinalis (Houpo), etc.
Chongqing: Coptis (Huanglian), Eucommia (Duzhong), Magnolia officinalis (Houpo), Pinellia (Banxia), Asparagus (Tiandong), golden buckwheat (Jinqiaomai), Curculigo (Xianmao), etc.
Guizhou: Gastrodia (Tianma), Eucommia (Duzhong), Asparagus (Tiandong), Polygonatum sibiricum (Huangjing), Poria (Fuling), Pinellia (Banxia), Evodia (Wuzhuyu), Achyranthes (Chuanniuxi), Polygonum multiflorum (Heshouwu), Bletilla (Baiji), Epimedium (Yinyanghuo), Phellodendron (Huangbo), Magnolia officinalis (Houpo), Atractylodes macrocephala (Baizhu), Ophiopogon (Maidong), lily (Baihe), Uncaria (Gouteng), Dipsacus (Xuduan), chrysanthemum (Juhua), yam (Shanyao), Trichosanthes (Gualou), Phellodendron (Huangbai), Platycodon (Jiegeng), Gentiana (Longdan), Peucedanum (Qianhu), Tetrapanax (Tongcao), Belamcanda (Shegan), black plum (Wumei), Chaenomeles (Mugua), Panax notoginseng (Sanqi), Dendrobium (Shihu), turmeric (Jianghuang), peach kernel (Taoren),
Stemona (Baibu), Curculigo (Xianmao), Scutellaria (Huangqin), Aconitum kusnezoffii (Caowu), Polygonatum odoratum (Yuzhu), red peony (Chishao), Gentiana macrophylla (Qinjiao), Saposhnikovia (Fangfeng), Alisma (Zexie), Angelica pubescens (Duhuo), Poria (Fuling), white peony (Baishao), Angelica dahurica (Baizhi), Coptis (Huanglian), Scrophularia (Xuanshen), rhubarb (Dahuang), gardenia (Zhizi), kudzu (Gegen), Omphalia (Leiwan), Trichosanthes root (Tianhuafen), Prunella (Xiakucao), American ginseng (Xiyangshen), Houttuynia (Yuxingcao), Acorus (Shichangpu), Xanthium (Cang'erzi), Japanese honeysuckle (Jinyinhua), Glehnia (Nanshashen), Oroxylum (Muhudie), Arisaema (Tiannanxing), Aucklandia (Yunmuxiang), coix (Yiyi), hemp seed (Huomaren), Guizhou Codonopsis (Qiandangshen), gallnut (Wubeizi), etc.
Shaanxi: Gastrodia (Tianma), Eucommia (Duzhong), Cornus officinalis (Shanzhuyu), aconite (Wutou), Salvia (Danshen), Rehmannia (Dihuang), Scutellaria (Huangqin), Ephedra (Mahuang), Bupleurum (Chaihu), Stephania (Fangji), Forsythia (Lianqiao), Polygala (Yuanzhi), jiaogulan (Jiaogulan), yam (Shuyu), Gentiana macrophylla (Qinjiao), etc.
Yunnan: Panax notoginseng (Sanqi), Aucklandia (Yunmuxiang), Coptis (Huanglian), Gastrodia (Tianma), Angelica sinensis (Danggui), fritillaria (Beimu), Homalomena (Qiannianjian), Polyporus (Zhuling), catechu (Ercha), Amomum tsaoko (Caoguo), Dendrobium (Shihu), Terminalia chebula (Hezi), cinnamon (Rougui), Saposhnikovia (Fangfeng), sappanwood (Sumu), Gentiana (Longdan), Oroxylum (Muhudie), Amomum villosum (Yangchunsha), Pinellia (Banxia), etc.
Tibet: Notopterygium (Qianghuo), Picrorhiza (Huhuanglian), rhubarb (Dahuang), henbane (Langdang), Inula (Chuanmuxiang), fritillaria (Beimu), Gentiana macrophylla (Qinjiao), Ephedra (Mahuang), etc.
Gansu: Angelica sinensis (Danggui), rhubarb (Dahuang), licorice (Gancao), Notopterygium (Qianghuo), Gentiana macrophylla (Qinjiao), Codonopsis (Dangshen), Astragalus (Huangqi), Cynomorium (Suoyang), Ephedra (Mahuang), Polygala (Yuanzhi), Polyporus (Zhuling), Anemarrhena (Zhimu), Anemone altaica (Jiujiechangpu), goji (Gouqi), Scutellaria (Huangqin), etc.
Qinghai: rhubarb (Dahuang), fritillaria (Beimu), licorice (Gancao), Notopterygium (Qianghuo), Polyporus (Zhuling), Cynomorium (Suoyang), Gentiana macrophylla (Qinjiao), Cistanche (Roucongrong), etc.
Ningxia: Ningxia goji (Ningxia Gouqi), licorice (Gancao), Ephedra (Mahuang), Stellaria (Yinchaihu), Cynomorium (Suoyang), Gentiana macrophylla (Qinjiao), Codonopsis (Dangshen), Bupleurum (Chaihu), Dictamnus (Baixian), rhubarb (Dahuang), Cimicifuga (Shengma), Polygala (Yuanzhi), etc.
Xinjiang: licorice (Gancao), Fritillaria pallidiflora (Yibeimu), safflower (Honghua), Cistanche (Roucongrong), burdock (Niubang), Arnebia (Zicao), Tussilago (Kuandonghua), goji (Gouqi), Gentiana macrophylla (Qinjiao), Ephedra (Mahuang), red peony (Chishao), Ferula (Awei), Cynomorium (Suoyang), snow lotus (Xuelian), etc.
Inner Mongolia: licorice (Gancao), Ephedra (Mahuang), red peony (Chishao), Scutellaria (Huangqin), Stellaria (Yinchaihu), Saposhnikovia (Fangfeng), Cynomorium (Suoyang), Sophora (Kushen), Cistanche (Roucongrong), Sanguisorba (Diyu), Cimicifuga (Shengma), Equisetum (Muzei), Prunus (Yuli), etc.
Heilongjiang: ginseng (Renshen), Gentiana (Longdan), Saposhnikovia (Fangfeng), Atractylodes (Cangzhu), red peony (Chishao), Phellodendron (Huangbo), burdock (Niubang), Acanthopanax (Ciwujia), mistletoe (Hujisheng), Astragalus (Huangqi), Anemarrhena (Zhimu), Schisandra (Wuweizi), etc.
Liaoning: ginseng (Renshen), Asarum (Xixin), Schisandra (Wuweizi), Ligusticum (Gaoben), Phellodendron (Huangbo), Codonopsis (Dangshen), Cimicifuga (Shengma), Bupleurum (Chaihu), Atractylodes (Cangzhu), coix (Yiyi), Polygala (Yuanzhi), wild jujube (Suanzao), etc.
Jilin: ginseng (Renshen), Schisandra (Wuweizi), Platycodon (Jiegeng), Codonopsis (Dangshen), Scutellaria (Huangqin), Sanguisorba (Diyu), Viola mandshurica (Zihuadiding), Anemarrhena (Zhimu), Polygonatum sibiricum (Huangjing), Polygonatum odoratum (Yuzhu), Cynanchum atratum (Baiwei), Dioscorea nipponica (Chuanshanlong), etc.
For growing Chinese medicinal herbs, you should also pay attention to
1. Be sure to identify varieties with large usage volume, so income is risk-free. Medicinal herbs with large usage volume are mostly used in ordinary prescriptions, such as Atractylodes macrocephala (Baizhu), white peony (Baishao), Codonopsis (Dangshen), Bupleurum (Chaihu), Platycodon (Jiegeng), Saposhnikovia (Fangfeng), Polygala (Yuanzhi), Scutellaria (Huangqin), Pinellia (Banxia), aconite (Fuzi), and other varieties.
Sometimes, although the prices of these varieties are not considered too high, their sales channels remain good, and they generally do not pile up unsold. Be cautious about growing rare, exotic, and expensive varieties.
2. Pay attention to varieties such as American ginseng (Xiyangshen), Gastrodia (Tianma), saffron (Xihonghua), monk fruit (Luohanguo), and coffee beans. Although their prices are high, they have strict requirements for climate and soil.
The ancients said: “Oranges grown south of the Huai River are oranges; grown north of the Huai River they are trifoliate oranges.” If you buy such seeds at a high price and plant them with great effort, the outcome is hard to predict.
3. Be sure to grasp the cyclical nature of development; cyclical planting is likely to succeed. Chinese medicinal herbs are similar to other agricultural products: when inventory is low, prices are high, and rising prices encourage an increase in planting area, leading to output exceeding sales, so prices quickly fall again.
According to years of experience, the price change of each variety has a cycle of about every 5 years. As the saying goes, “Medicines are never stagnant for a thousand days, nor fast-selling for a thousand days.” Only by being good at analysis, grasping their cyclical nature, and catching the wave and rushing to the peak can you achieve very good returns.
4. Be sure to correctly analyze advertisements, and do not covet cheapness when buying seeds. Some illegal seed operators make advertising claims that violate scientific laws, exaggerate per-mu yields, falsely report market prices, and use alternative names to leave some herb growers completely confused.
For example, the alternative name of Codonopsis (Dangshen) is Zhonglingcao; using the alternative name makes people mistakenly think it is a precious medicinal herb, so they price it arbitrarily and cause people to be cheated. Therefore, when herb growers buy seeds, they must be cautious, and should not easily believe words from seed sellers such as “guaranteed buyback.”
5. Be sure to scientifically summarize planting patterns. Many Chinese medicinal herbs grow wild in the wild; now that demand has increased, they are introduced and cultivated at home.
Because their natural patterns are difficult to grasp, you can first try small-scale supplementary sowing on dry ridge land or interplanting among crops such as beans, millet, and peanuts. Observe carefully, and only after accurately determining their growth patterns and mastering cultivation techniques should you expand to large-area planting.
6. Capture information and grasp the best sales timing. According to your own planting situation, contact local hospitals and pharmacies in a timely manner or contact the seed supply unit, and harvest and deliver early.
As the saying goes, “Abundant goods attract distant customers.” If planting on a large scale, sustained development can attract merchants to come to your door seeking goods. As long as you grasp the sales timing accurately, you will absolutely not end up with goods piling up unsold.