Codonopsis stems and leaves are a high-quality feed with high nutritional value.

Codonopsis is a valuable traditional Chinese medicinal herb, with its dried roots used as medicine; it has the effects of tonifying qi and nourishing blood, harmonizing the spleen and stomach, promoting fluid production, and clearing the lungs. Its stems and leaves were often discarded in the past. However, in recent years, research has found that Codonopsis stems and leaves contain volatile oils, various amino acids, macro- and trace elements, alkaloids, starch, and more. Farmers at the Sifangpa medicinal herb farm in our county dry and crush the stems and leaves, then add them to feed at a ratio of 20-30% to feed pigs, producing a clear weight-gain effect. When used to feed poultry, not only are the egg-laying rate, egg production, and average egg weight increased, but tests also show that the cholesterol content is somewhat reduced. Therefore, Codonopsis-producing areas can develop them into functional feed, turning waste into treasure and increasing their utilization value.