Key Technical Points for Harvesting and Processing Codonopsis pilosula

(1) Harvesting: Direct-sown Codonopsis pilosula needs 3 years before it can be harvested, while transplanted seedlings are best harvested in the second year after transplanting. In autumn, after the above-ground stems and leaves turn yellow and wither, choose a sunny day and dig carefully and deeply, turning out the whole root, avoiding cuts and breakage so that the sap does not flow out and form black scars, which would reduce quality.

(2) Processing: Wash the harvested Codonopsis pilosula, grade it, and process each grade separately. First spread it on a drying mat in the sun for 2-3 days; when the roots become soft from drying, tie each grade of Codonopsis pilosula into small bundles, hold the root head with one hand, and with the other hand rub downward along the root several times. The next day, sun-dry again, and in the evening gather them into ox-horn bundles, each weighing 1-2 kg. Then place them on a wooden board and repeatedly press and rub them, and continue sun-drying until they become a marketable product. During rainy days, dry them over a low fire at 60°C.