What medicinal herbs are good to grow in 2020-2021? These five are quite profitable!
Traditional Chinese medicine is a national treasure of our country. With the increasing number of iatrogenic and drug-induced diseases, changes in health concepts, and the transformation of medical models, it is gradually being recognized and accepted by the world. In recent years, Chinese patent medicines have developed rapidly. So, what medicinal herbs are good to grow in 2020-2021? These five are quite profitable!
1. Isatis root (banlangen)
Isatis root (Isatis indigotica), a plant of the genus Isatis in the family Brassicaceae, is used medicinally for its root and is one of the commonly used bulk medicinal herbs. In recent years, due to continuously increasing social demand, the commodity price of isatis root has risen steadily. At present, the medicinal herb market has already seen a situation where supply falls short of demand, and it has been recommended by the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine as one of the 63 scarce Chinese medicinal herbs for key development. Therefore, the prospects for artificially cultivating isatis root are very promising, and herb growers can develop production on an appropriate scale according to local conditions. Isatis root is suitable for cultivation in all parts of our country, and can be sown in spring, summer, and autumn. From planting to harvest it takes only 6 to 7 months, and it can be continuously cropped 2 times a year. It belongs to the category of medicinal herbs with low cost and quick results.
2. Yellow gardenia (huangzhizi)
The fruit is used medicinally, and it has functions such as clearing heat and relieving pain. It is mainly used to treat wind-fire toothache, sores and swellings, hepatitis, hematuria, and traumatic injuries. The fruit is also a pigment raw material for the food industry, and its use has increased greatly in recent years. Gardenia has no strict requirements for soil and can be cultivated in mountainous areas, hills, and flat land. It is resistant to barren soil and drought. Saplings are planted from February to May, begin bearing fruit the following year, and enter the full production period in the third year. Plant once and benefit for many years, with the trunk surviving for more than 25 years. The market purchases both fresh and dried products. During the full production period, the yield of fresh fruit per mu is 500 to 600 kg, with a drying ratio of about 30%.
3. Dry pinellia (hanbanxia)
The tuber is used medicinally. It has the functions of drying dampness and transforming phlegm, and directing qi downward to stop vomiting. It is the main raw material for pharmaceutical factories producing various cough-relieving and phlegm-transforming Chinese patent medicine slices, preparations, and syrups. It has no strict requirements for soil, but sandy loam is best for planting. It is most suitable for growing in a half-shade, half-sun environment and can be intercropped with fruit trees or tall-stalk crops. It dislikes waterlogging. Sow from February to April, dig from August to October. The whole growth period is 6 to 7 months. The annual yield per mu is 120 to 150 kg, and the current market purchase price is 70 to 85 yuan/kg.
4. Atractylodes macrocephala (baizhu)
It has the functions of tonifying the spleen and strengthening the stomach, transforming dampness and promoting diuresis, preventing miscarriage, and stopping sweating. The rhizome is used medicinally. It should be planted on gentle slopes with deep, loose, fertile soil and good drainage. Raise seedlings from seeds from February to April. From November to December, transplant the cultivated “shu zai” for field planting. Dig from October to November of the following year. The whole growth period is 2 years. The yield per mu is 200 to 250 kg, and the current market price is 40 to 45 yuan/kg.
5. Scutellaria baicalensis (huangqin)
Scutellaria baicalensis is a well-known Chinese medicinal herb. Its root is used medicinally and can treat diseases such as damp-heat disease, upper respiratory tract infections, and cough due to lung heat. Judging from the sales trend of Scutellaria baicalensis in 2019 and 2020, the amount used is very large, and after the Start of Winter, supply is not plentiful, yet prices remain firm. This shows that the current cultivation of Scutellaria baicalensis is not extensive, and the market supply falls short of demand, so growers have a very good opportunity. The yield of Scutellaria baicalensis per mu is 200-250 kg, with 1.5-2 kg of seeds used per mu. In the Chinese medicinal herb market, the price is 25-30 yuan/kg.
The above are the five medicinal herbs with relatively good planting prospects recommended for everyone. However, Chinese medicinal herbs have relatively strict requirements for factors such as climate and land, so everyone still needs to choose suitable varieties according to actual local conditions.