Origin Processing Methods and Technical Key Points for Angelica sinensis

The processing of Angelica sinensis directly affects the quality and medicinal efficacy. Because fresh Angelica sinensis contains more than 60% water and the medicinal component volatile oil, if processing is not timely or not done well, it will become moldy and deteriorate.

Processing methods and procedures for Angelica sinensis:

1. Sorting and bundling. The recovered Angelica sinensis should be sorted promptly, and roots that are rotten, especially water-rotted, should be picked out to prevent the spread and infection of water rot. The selected Angelica sinensis is spread under the eaves in a dry, ventilated place to air-dry for about 7 days so that the moisture evaporates and the roots become soft, then they are bundled with willow twigs or tree bark. Each bundle has a fresh weight of 0.5-1 kg, and a flat shape is preferable. If the bundles are tied too large, ventilation and air permeability during smoke-curing on the heated bed will be poor, and they will easily rot; if tied too small, it wastes labor and time.

2. Smoke-curing on a heated bed. Angelica sinensis cannot be dried in the shade or in the sun. Shade-dried roots are hollow and light, with coarse, greenish skin and poor quality. Sun-dried roots turn the skin color red, lose oil content, and decrease in quality. In Min County, Gansu, sheds are built for smoke-curing on heated beds. Some smoke sheds are specially made, and some are set up inside a dry, ventilated room. One side of the smoke shed is open, or a flue is installed on the roof, so that smoke can escape and air can be vented. Inside the smoke shed, a wooden rack 120-150 cm high is built, bamboo strips are laid on the rack, and the bundles of Angelica sinensis are piled on top. The usual piling method is to place 1-2 layers flat and 1 layer upright; some also place one layer flat, one layer upright, and then several more layers flat. The thickness is about 30-45 cm; if thicker, it is not easy to dry. Then wet firewood such as bean stalks, wet white poplar, and willow wood is used to light a smoking fire. An open flame cannot be used; only smoking can give Angelica sinensis its color. After about 10-15 days, when the surface of the Angelica sinensis shows a reddish or golden yellow color, coal fire is used to bake it for about 10 days, and then the heated bed is turned. After turning the heated bed, first smoke it over a strong fire for 2 days, then smoke it over a slow fire for about 10 days, baking day and night. Only when the dryness reaches 70-80% overall can the smoke and fire be reduced or the roots be allowed to dry on their own. Generally, it takes 1-2 months to produce Angelica sinensis that meets quality requirements.

When smoke-curing on a heated bed, lighting the fire is very important. The smoke must be even, and the fire intensity must be moderate. Therefore, the fire pile is generally about 72 cm away from the rack, not too close, and attention must be paid to moving the fire pile at all times; it should be moved once a day so that smoke-curing is even. A small amount of Angelica sinensis can be placed on a heated bed and smoke-cured with a brazier; after coloring, it can be placed on a cooking stove and smoke-cured with smoke and fire, and it can be smoke-dried in 1-2 months. After the smoke-dried Angelica sinensis is taken down from the rack, shake off the soil, remove the willow twigs and tree bark used for bundling, remove impurities, rotten roots, or small fine rootlets, and then package and sell according to size, weight, and grade. Generally, 1.3-1.5 kg of fresh Angelica sinensis can be dried into 0.5 kg of dried Angelica sinensis.