Detailed Explanation of Harvesting and Processing Methods for Qianjinba Root Medicinal Material

QianjinbaAlso known as Rat Tail, Yitiaogen, and Tu Huangqi, it is the dried root of the leguminous plant Millettia reticulata (climbing Qianjinba). This product has the functions of dispelling wind and promoting diuresis, removing blood stasis and detoxifying, and is mainly used to treat rheumatic arthritis, waist and leg pain, lumbar muscle strain, traumatic injuries, and other symptoms.

Qianjinba is mainly produced in Jiangxi, Fujian, Hubei, Hunan, Guangxi, Guangdong, Sichuan, and other provinces and regions. It grows wild on hillside grasslands, roadsides in open fields, and hilly shrub areas, and can be harvested throughout the year. The root of Qianjinba grows deep and is relatively tough, making it difficult to break. Therefore, during harvesting, a cotton rope can be used to firmly tie its root, with the other end of the cotton rope tied to a hoe handle or wooden stick. One end of the hoe (wooden stick) is placed on the ground, and the other end is lifted with a person's shoulder. Using the lever principle, forcefully lift the hoe handle upward, and the root can be pulled out from the ground (this method saves labor and time compared to digging with a hoe). For the pulled-out Qianjinba root, first remove the aboveground stems and leaves, wash off the mud and sand with water, then cut off the fibrous roots, spread it under the sun to dry, then tie dozens of roots into small bundles, put them into bamboo baskets or tie them into bundles with a twisting machine. If they cannot be sold in time, they can be stored in a dry place, paying attention to insect and mold prevention. The commercial product is considered best when it is fully dry, conical in shape, thick and robust in strips, brownish-red in color, white in cross-section, showing powdery texture, presenting chrysanthemum patterns, and free of sun branches, insect damage, and mold.