Detailed Explanation of Nardostachys chinensis Cultivation Techniques and Harvesting Methods
Nardostachys chinensis (Latin name: Nardostachys chinensis Batal.) is a perennial herb, with the whole plant having a strong turpentine-like aroma. Basal leaves are relatively few and sparsely arranged, with blades narrowly linear-oblanceolate or obovate-lanceolate, apex obtuse-rounded, gradually narrowing below the middle and somewhat petiole-like, base slightly expanded into a sheath, margin entire, upper surface green, lower surface pale green; main veins three. The cyme is in a compact rounded head; flowers pink; corolla tubular, ovary inferior, style slender, extending beyond the corolla, stigma funnel-shaped. Achene obovate, flowering in August.
As a medicinal plant, Nardostachys chinensis refers to the roots and rhizomes of this species and Nardostachys jatamansi, which help to regulate qi and relieve pain, invigorate the spleen and stomach, and help treat distending pain in the epigastrium and abdomen, loss of appetite, toothache, and athlete's foot; those with qi deficiency and blood heat should avoid taking Nardostachys chinensis.
Growth Habits
It grows in alpine grassland zones or sparse forests at an altitude of 3000-4500 m. It grows in swamp meadows, river floodplains and shrub-grass slopes.
Geographical Distribution
Distributed in Gansu, Inner Mongolia, Qinghai, Sichuan, Guizhou, northwestern Yunnan, and Tibet. Produced in southern Qinghai and northern Sichuan.
Nardostachys chinensis plants are propagated by rhizomes or seeds, mainly wild, and occasionally cultivated in India and China. After the seeds mature, they are sown in cold-protection greenhouses and require sufficient light for germination; after the seedlings grow, they are transplanted to greenhouses to overwinter; in late spring and early summer of the following year, they are transplanted outdoors. Cutting the rhizomes can also be used for propagation, and it is faster than seed propagation; the propagation material should be rhizomes matured in autumn, while those harvested in summer are prone to rot. Chauhan et al. studied two cultivation methods of Nardostachys jatamansi, asexual propagation and seedling transplanting, and three altitudes of 1800, 2200, and 3600 m, and found that yield was significantly related to cultivation treatment method, transplant seedling age, and nursery altitude; the suitable cultivation altitude is 2200-3600 m, with the best being a mountain ridge at 3600 m, and it is not suitable below 1800 m; moreover, fertilization can increase yield.
2-3 year old Nardostachys chinensis has a much higher yield than those of the following year, and the suitable harvesting period is from October to December; harvest thick, mature rhizomes while retaining young rhizomes for propagation. If snow falls too early, accumulated snow makes harvesting very difficult, and herb farmers will rush to harvest immature Nardostachys chinensis from May to June, which causes severe damage to the resource.