Isatis root planting area shrinks, prices begin to rise, prospects look good

Isatis root is a plant of the cruciferous family (Brassicaceae); its roots and leaves are used medicinally. It has the effects of clearing heat and detoxifying, and cooling the blood, and has a certain curative effect on influenza, epidemic hepatitis B, hepatitis A, pneumonia, erysipelas, heat-toxin macules, sore and swollen throat, and sudden red eyes. It is in large market demand and is a conventional bulk variety of Chinese medicinal material.

In the national Chinese medicinal materials market, isatis root can be said to rank at the top. Over the years, this variety has weathered many storms and shone many times, rendering indelible service to the broad masses of the people! In dealing with influenza epidemics, hepatitis A and B epidemics, Japanese encephalitis epidemics, the spread of SARS and avian influenza, isatis root has always been the first to take the field, defeating all kinds of disease demons and keeping our faces radiant as ever. When the influenza A H1N1 virus was spreading, the whole world defended against it together, and isatis root again played its huge role, with pharmaceutical factories actively purchasing it. "Medicine is only regretted as too little when it is needed!" The future market of isatis root is pregnant with a strong upward trend, and business opportunities appear again! In the two years starting from 2012, isatis root prices were in a trough period, planting stalled, and no one paid attention, but from the autumn of 2014 prices began to rise slightly. The rise of a bulk variety proves that market inventory is already thin, supply is beginning to be tight, and market supply and demand have already changed. At the same time, surveys show that new seeds of isatis root are currently also in short supply; in recent years the planting area has been small, new seeds are few, and large-scale planting is limited. Analysis holds that: in 2015 it can be planted and developed, and isatis root's comeback can be expected soon.

Isatis root can be planted throughout the country, and is easy to plant, easy to sprout and easy to manage. In the three northeastern provinces and the Inner Mongolia region, it is sown in spring and harvested in autumn, using 3 kg of seed per mu, with a yield of 350-400 kg per mu. Planted in other places across the country, the yield is about 300 kg per mu. Isatis root grows well in saline-alkali soil and also has the function of improving saline-alkali land. People often throw away isatis root leaves; from now on, this mistake must not be made. The leaves are called daqingye (isatis leaf), with a yield of 150-200 kg per mu. When cutting the leaves, choose a sunny day; after cutting, leave them to dry in place, which both keeps the ground surface from becoming dry and saves the trouble of having no place to dry them. Once dried, transport them home before the afternoon dampness returns and store them; done this way, the leaves stay bright green, do not break, and can be worth more money. If part of the daqingye is mixed into feed to feed livestock or poultry, it will keep them from getting overheated and let them grow robustly. If a person catches a cold, grab a handful, decoct it in water and drink it for a day or two and they will recover.

At present isatis root has already been planted, and the market price has begun to rise, at 10-15 yuan/kg, with daqingye at 2-3 yuan/kg. Returns per mu are stable, planting and harvesting are simple, and it is suitable for large-scale development. In addition, it is best to develop the small-leaf variety, which the market purchases year-round.