Analysis of the Cultivation Techniques and Development Prospects of the Chinese Medicinal Herb Agastache rugosa

Agastache rugosa is a medicinal and edible plant, also known as hexiang, canggao, mountain fennel, etc. It belongs to the order Lamiales, family Lamiaceae, and is a perennial herbaceous plant. It is widely distributed throughout China, mainly produced in Sichuan, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Hunan, Guangdong and other places, as well as Russia, Korea, Japan and North America.

I. Nutritional Value of Agastache rugosa

Agastache rugosa is a high-calcium, high-carotene food. Every 100g of tender leaves contains 72g water, 8.6g protein, 1.7g fat, 10g carbohydrates, 6.38mg carotene, 0.1mg vitamin B1, 0.38mg vitamin B2, 1.2mg nicotinic acid, 23mg vitamin C, 580mg calcium, 104mg phosphorus, 28.5mg iron. The whole plant contains 0.5% aromatic volatile oil, in which the main component is methyl chavicol (about 80%), limonene, alpha-pinene and beta-pinene, p-cymene, linalool, I-caryophyllene, etc. It has a certain inhibitory effect on various pathogenic fungi. The aromatic volatile oil is a raw material for manufacturing various Chinese patent medicines.

II. Medicinal Value of Agastache rugosa

According to the "Compendium of Materia Medica": Agastache rugosa uses its branches and leaves as medicine. Its odor is pungent, slightly warm, and non-toxic. It mainly treats wind-edema and toxic swelling, removes foul qi, stops cholera with heart and abdominal pain, and spleen-stomach vomiting. It has the effects of aiding stomach qi, opening the appetite, and promoting food and drink. It can also be used for health care and to treat bad breath from drinking alcohol.

III. Edible Methods of Agastache rugosa

Most Chinese people's understanding of Agastache rugosa generally begins with Chinese patent medicines such as Huoxiang Zhengqi Liquid and Huoxiang Zhengqi Pills. These medicines are all good remedies for relieving summer heat. In fact, Agastache rugosa can not only be used as medicine, but is also often used as a seasoning when cooking meat, especially fish, mutton and other foods with a strong gamy or muttony odor. For example, fresh tender stems and leaves, or stems and leaves, can be used to make fish soup or pork rib soup, removing fishiness and cutting greasiness, making the mouth water and leaving a fragrant taste on the lips and teeth.

Agastache rugosa is also something advocated by Zhuge Liang, the embodiment of wisdom among Chinese figures. It is said that when Zhuge Liang was preparing to march north to attack Wei, he first needed to pacify the Qiang people. On the march through present-day Lueyang County, Shaanxi Province, in order to prevent heatstroke, fatigue, hunger, thirst and anxiety among the troops, he drew on the Qiang people's dietary habits and invented canned tea, using coarse tea leaves and Agastache rugosa as the main ingredients, supplemented with fresh ginger slices and small fennel to boil juice, then mixing in flour to make soup, and using pure rapeseed oil to fry diced walnuts, diced scrambled eggs, diced tofu, fried crushed rice crust, chopped scallions, refined salt and so on as seasonings, boiling it into tea. The tea has five layers and is eaten with steamed twisted rolls, walnut cakes or steamed bun slices. This snack has been passed down to this day, and CCTV once specially reported on it.

Agastache rugosa is also a sacred object in Buddhism. "Before the altar, wash and bathe with water boiled from duloupo incense" in the Surangama Sutra, the "duomoluoba incense" mentioned in the Lotus Sutra, and the "bodanluo incense" mentioned in the Golden Light Sutra are all Sanskrit transliterations of Agastache rugosa.

In addition, Agastache rugosa can also be used for landscaping or courtyard planting. Its antibacterial fragrance makes people feel relaxed and happy.

IV. Habits of Agastache rugosa

Agastache rugosa likes high temperature, abundant sunlight, humid and rainy environments. It is afraid of drought and requires annual rainfall of more than 1600mm. It is more widely distributed in the wild south of the Qinling Mountains-Huaihe River line. Its roots are relatively cold-resistant and can overwinter in the north. After Frost's Descent, a large number of leaves fall, and the next year it turns green and grows Agastache rugosa again.

Agastache rugosa is not strict about soil requirements and can grow in general soil, but sandy loam or loam with deep soil layers, rich organic matter and loose texture is best. It tabooes water accumulation. If planted in low-lying land prone to water accumulation, the roots rot easily and the plant dies. Seeds live for 2~4 years, so seeds from the previous year can be sown. Seed germination requires light conditions. The suitable germination temperature is 18~22°C, and germination takes 7~10 days.

V. Propagation Methods of Agastache rugosa

Agastache rugosa is mostly propagated by seeds. Sowing in the same year allows harvest in the same year, and the newly harvested Agastache rugosa in the same year has many leaves and good leaf quality. In addition, Agastache rugosa can also be propagated by perennial roots, allowing the old roots after harvest to overwinter in place, and in the following spring, after new seedlings emerge, they are moved to the field to obtain the whole plant.

VI. Cultivation Techniques of Agastache rugosa

Focusing mainly on seed propagation techniques, here is an introduction to the planting methods of Agastache rugosa:

(1) Site Selection and Land Preparation

Choose an environment suitable for the growth of Agastache rugosa. Either ridge cultivation or broadcast sowing can be used. For ridge cultivation, the seedbed should preferably be a loam or sandy loam plot with convenient irrigation and drainage, easy management, and medium-to-high fertility; apply decomposed farmyard manure as base fertilizer in combination with plowing; make seedbeds 1.2m wide in a turtle-back shape, with furrows 25-30cm deep between ridges to facilitate irrigation and drainage. Sow around Qingming. Mix the seeds with fine sand or plant ash and sow in shallow furrows, or evenly scatter them on the bed surface, then cover with about 1cm of fertile soil made of fine soil:plant ash = 2:1; finally build a small arched shed over the bed to keep warm and raise seedlings. For the nursery, use 1kg of seeds per 66 square meters (one fen of land). After the seedlings are established, transplanting can supply 7.5 mu of planting. The sowing time is around March.

(2) Field Management

1. Temperature Management

After sowing, when the temperature is maintained at 20~25°C, seedlings emerge in 10~15 days. When the emergence rate reaches 70%, remove the arched shed. For Agastache rugosa sown in spring of the same year, when the seedlings are 12cm tall and the main stem has 5 pairs of leaves, branching begins to occur at the leaf axils at the base. After June, as the temperature rises, maintain field water-holding capacity above 50%, and Agastache rugosa enters a vigorous growth period.

2. Fertilizer and Water Management

Because the stems and leaves of Agastache rugosa are mainly used for medicine or food, farmyard manure is best for fertilization. Generally, human and livestock manure, oil cakes and so on are applied after decomposition. For the first topdressing, after loosening the soil when the seedlings are 3cm tall, apply 100kg of decomposed farmyard manure slurry per 66 square meters (one fen of land). Thereafter, when the seedlings are 7~10cm, 15~20cm, and 25~30cm tall, after intertillage and weeding, apply 150kg of decomposed human and livestock manure slurry per fen each time. Water before and after fertilization to prevent seedling burn. After the rows close, no more topdressing is needed. In the dry season, water in time to resist drought and protect seedlings. In the rainy season, dredge ditches and drain water in time to prevent root rot from water accumulation.

3. Intertillage, Weeding and Thinning

When the seedlings are 3cm tall, thin them according to a hole spacing of 6~8cm (two cun), removing the weak and keeping the strong. Keep 3~4 plants per hole; transplanted seedlings should be planted on cloudy days. After planting, water once with root-setting water mixed with dilute human manure or biogas slurry to help survival. Carry out intertillage and weeding once each when the seedlings are 3cm, 12~15cm, and 21~24cm tall. When the seedlings are 25~30cm tall, after the second harvest, earth up 6cm to protect the roots and promote sprouting.

4. Pest and Disease Control

The main diseases of Agastache rugosa are leaf spot and wilt. Before onset, 65% mancozeb can be used for control; in the early stage of onset, 50% carbendazim can be used for control. Among insect pests, there are red spiders, which can be controlled with Sanfangling. The larvae of the silver-marked noctuid moth bite and eat leaves and can be killed with fenvalerate. For underground pests, use phoxim mixed with poisoned bait to trap and kill them.

5. Harvesting and Processing

The "Pharmacopoeia Part 1" stipulates that only the dried aboveground parts of Pogostemon cablin (Blanco) Benth. can be used as medicine. For direct soup-making or eating, tender and crisp branches and leaves can be picked. For medicinal use, harvest when the branches and leaves are luxuriant, generally at full flowering stage. When harvesting, cut the entire Agastache rugosa plant down to the root and dry it in the sun before selling it as medicine. Those that are dry, have many leaves and a strong fragrance are considered best. Sun during the day and sweat at night, repeating until dry.

Processing: Remove residual roots and impurities. First shake off the leaves, sift them clean and set aside; wash the stems, moisten thoroughly, cut into sections, dry in the sun, then mix evenly with the leaves.

VII. Planting Benefits

Under normal conditions, each mu of Agastache rugosa can harvest 300 to 500 kg of stems and about 100 kg of leaves. The price of whole-plant soil-grown Agastache rugosa is 4 yuan/kg, and the output value per mu is generally more than 2000 yuan, with a cost per mu of about 500 yuan. The price of Pogostemon cablin is 10 yuan/kg, and the output value per mu can generally reach more than 5000 yuan.

The above is the development prospects and cultivation techniques of Agastache rugosa. As a Chinese medicinal herb and a plant with extremely high ornamental value, Agastache rugosa can be said to have very clear development prospects. Growers who want to plant Chinese medicinal herbs may consider planting Agastache rugosa.

Analysis of the Planting Prospects of Agarwood Trees

Analysis of the Planting Prospects of Agarwood Trees

[Common Question] What are the planting prospects of agarwood trees?

[Expert Answer]

Planting one agarwood (white agarwood) costs only a few dozen yuan, and later each tree can bring in thousands of yuan, or even tens of thousands of yuan. It is indeed a good way for the general public to achieve prosperity freely!

Broad market prospects. Agarwood has wide uses and high economic value.

Due to large-scale digging of precious agarwood, the original forests of agarwood trees have been severely damaged. In addition, natural forest regeneration capacity is weak. Now only scattered residual plants remain, and the country's wild resources are nearly exhausted. Agarwood trees have been listed by the state as rare and endangered second-class protected plants. Plantations are rare, domestic agarwood output is seriously insufficient, market demand continues to expand, and the contradiction between supply and demand is prominent. According to market surveys and comprehensive analysis, the current annual demand for agarwood nationwide is 500,000 kg and is increasing year by year, with about 80% relying on imports. As agarwood resources and output in Southeast Asia decrease day by day, imported agarwood is expensive, at 300,000-500,000 yuan per ton. The highest transaction price of high-quality domestic agarwood on the market can reach more than 30,000 yuan/kg. The regeneration cycle of agarwood resources is long, artificial planting is scarce, and the shortage of agarwood supply on the market will be difficult to change for a long time. Market prices will also remain firm and continue to rise. Therefore, the prospects for planting agarwood are broad.

Rich planting benefits. Planting agarwood has excellent economic and ecological benefits.

Analysis of the Planting Prospects of Agarwood Trees

High-quality superior seedlings have strong suitability, high survival rates, and guaranteed planting benefits. One-year-old seedlings have stems 50-70cm tall. Generally, after 3 years of planting they grow luxuriantly, and leaves can be picked to make health tea; after 4-5 years they flower and bear fruit, and the fruit can extract refined oil, which is an important medicinal and chemical raw material; after 8-10 years they grow faster and can be artificially induced to form agarwood. Agarwood is a scarce precious Chinese medicinal material and a superior spice on the market, and can also be made into expensive handicrafts. Agarwood trees are evergreen trees of the four seasons, tall and beautiful in shape, and can also bring good ecological benefits. Choosing to plant agarwood trees is better than planting fruit. Low investment, low risk, early returns, and rich rewards.

[Editor's Summary] Agarwood trees are deeply loved by the public. Today, the article "Analysis of the Planting Prospects of Agarwood Trees" compiled by Yuelan of First Agricultural Economics Network mainly introduces the current planting prospects and benefits of agarwood trees for those who want to plant them. I hope it is helpful to you.

Analysis of Bupleurum Cultivation Techniques

How is Bupleurum planted?

[Common Question] How can Bupleurum be planted so that it grows well?

[Expert Answer]

I. Land Selection and Preparation. Fertile, loose, well-drained black sandy soil or humus soil can be selected. Apply 3000 kg of high-quality decomposed farmyard manure, 100 kg of superphosphate, and 50 kg of ammonium bicarbonate as base fertilizer. Deeply plow more than 25 cm, plow finely and rake level, and make beds.

II. Sowing. Use 1.5 kg of seed per mu. Sowing in spring or winter is both acceptable. Generally, the single-furrow drilling method is used, that is, along the bed at a row spacing of 15-18 cm, draw shallow furrows 1.5 cm deep, evenly scatter the seeds into the furrows, push through once with a hoe, and water. When sowing in winter, the seeds undergo natural low-temperature treatment, which can promote after-ripening of the seeds, increase the germination rate, and result in uniform and strong seedlings the next year.
III. Field Management. (1) Thinning. When the seedlings are 4-5 cm tall, thin them to a fixed spacing, with a plant spacing of 7-8 cm. If there are missing seedlings, replant them in time. If the wide-row drilling method is used, only slight thinning to a fixed spacing is needed. (2) Loosening Soil and Weeding. Carry out intertillage and weeding 2-3 times each year. Intertillage should be shallow, gently done with a small hoe, and do not damage the medicinal seedlings. (3) Topdressing. After final thinning, apply 10 kg of seedling-promoting fertilizer (urea). During the growth period, 20 kg of urea or superphosphate and other fertilizers can be applied. (4) Main Pest and Disease Control. In hot and rainy seasons, roots rot easily in low-lying waterlogged areas, so attention should be paid to drainage and waterlogging prevention. From June to August, larvae of the yellow swallowtail butterfly harm stems and leaves and can be sprayed with 1500-fold dilution of 90% trichlorfon.

IV. Harvest. Begin harvesting in August-September when most seeds are at the wax-ripe stage. Roots are harvested in October-November, after the plants wither or in spring before the soil thaws and Bupleurum sprouts.

Chinese Medicinal Herb Bupleurum

Editor's Summary: Bupleurum is one of the Chinese medicinal herbs and has very good medicinal effects, capable of treating many diseases. I hope the Bupleurum cultivation techniques shared above by the editor are helpful to everyone.