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Detailed Explanation of Harvesting and Processing Methods for Codonopsis pilosula

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For direct-sown fields, harvest in the third year; for transplanted fields, harvest after two years of growth following transplanting. For medicinal Codonopsis pilosula, the harvest period runs from when the aboveground parts wither until before the ground freezes, but the best quality is obtained when harvested within the half-month before and after the White Dew solar term. When harvesting, first remove the support stakes, cut off the stems and vines, then dig up the roots. Take care not to damage the roots while digging, to prevent the loss of sap. Remove the residual stems from the dug roots, wash off the soil, and sort them by size, length and thickness into old, large and medium grades for drying in the sun. After drying until half-dry, briefly blanch in boiling water, then sun-dry or oven-dry (oven-drying must use only a low fire, with the temperature around 60°C

For direct-sown fields, harvest in the third year; for transplanted fields, harvest after two years of growth following transplanting. For medicinal Codonopsis pilosula, the harvest period runs from when the aboveground parts wither until before the ground freezes, but the best quality is obtained when harvested within the half-month before and after the White Dew solar term.

When harvesting, first remove the support stakes, cut off the stems and vines, then dig up the roots. Take care not to damage the roots while digging, to prevent the loss of sap.

Remove the residual stems from the dug roots, wash off the soil, and sort them by size, length and thickness into old, large and medium grades for drying in the sun. After drying until half-dry, briefly blanch in boiling water, then sun-dry or oven-dry (oven-drying must use only a low fire, with the temperature around 60°C being suitable; a fierce fire must not be used. Otherwise, blisters easily form, causing the skin and flesh to separate). When dried until soft, straighten and arrange the roots 3-5 times, then tie them into small bundles, place them on a wooden board and repeatedly press and rub them, then continue drying in the sun. The root bark of rubbed Codonopsis pilosula is fine, and the flesh is firm, plump and soft, which is good for storage. When arranging the roots, the number of times should not be too many and the force should not be too great, otherwise they will become "oil sticks" and their quality will be reduced. After each arranging or rubbing of the roots, they must be spread out to air, and must not be piled up, so as to avoid fermentation and prevent any effect on quality.

The processed Codonopsis pilosula is considered best when the roots are thick and robust, firm in texture, oily and lustrous, strong in odor, and leave little residue when chewed.

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