Introduction
Luodian Aina Xiang is one of the top ten Miao medicines in Guizhou, and it is also one of the key traditional Chinese medicine varieties developed in Guizhou Province. It is mainly wild, with a history of more than 100 years of artificial cultivation. In the Ming and Qing dynasties, it was already a well-known medicinal material. Luodian Aina Xiang is a characteristic ethnic medicinal resource in Luodian, and the mugwort leaves can be processed into mugwort powder through distillation. The mugwort powder can be further extracted to produce natural ice flakes that can inhibit the growth of Vibrio cholerae, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus. It is the main component of many Chinese patent medicines. Luodian County is known as the "natural greenhouse," and the original habitat of Aina Xiang is mainly distributed in the southern towns and townships of the county, such as Hongshui River, Luo Su, Luo Tuo, Luo Kun, Gou Ting, Ban Ren, Long Ping, and Feng Ting. In March 2012, the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine approved the geographical indication protection of Luodian Aina Xiang.
Production Status
In the Ming and Qing dynasties, Luodian Aina Xiang was already a well-known medicinal material. In the late 1990s, natural ice flakes production was gradually restricted due to the increasing market share of synthetic ice flakes. During this period, Luodian Aina Xiang experienced a decline. However, with the development and demand of society, the demand for natural, healthy and environmentally friendly products has been increasing, and natural herbal medicines with high efficacy and low or no side effects have been increasingly favored by the world. Nowadays, many domestic manufacturers directly purchase processed mugwort powder or natural ice flakes from Luodian, and "Luodian Aina Xiang" has once again become a well-known and popular traditional Chinese medicine product in the market.
Luodian Aina Xiang has been listed as one of the "GAP Test Demonstration Bases for Guizhou Genuine Chinese Medicinal Materials" by the Major Science and Technology Project of the Ministry of Science and Technology of China. The approval of "Luodian Aina Xiang" as a geographical indication protected product provides brand protection for enterprises and enhances their market competitiveness. It is of great significance to promote the industrialization development of Luodian Aina Xiang, enhance its brand and quality advantages, promote the development of Aina Xiang production enterprises, and increase agricultural efficiency and farmers' income. Currently, nearly 40,000 mu of Aina Xiang has been cultivated, and 2 Aina Xiang production enterprises have been registered, with a total output value of nearly 200 million yuan.
Medicinal Value
The leaves and branches of mugwort can be processed into mugwort powder, which can be further refined to produce natural ice flakes, with by-products of ice flakes oil. Ice flakes have a spicy and bitter taste, a slightly cold nature, and belong to the heart and spleen meridians. Its spicy and bitter properties can disperse stagnation and heat, and its aromatic fragrance can invigorate the mind, clear heat, relieve pain, and promote skin regeneration. It is commonly used for symptoms such as coma and unconsciousness caused by stroke, phlegm obstruction, and high fever. It is often used in external use in departments such as surgery, trauma, ophthalmology, and otolaryngology. It has a moderate price, minimal side effects, and the best pharmacological effects. It has irreplaceable uses in many aspects compared with imported ice flakes and synthetic ice flakes, and has high economic benefits and medicinal value.
Origin
Luodian County is known as the "natural greenhouse," and Aina Xiang is a characteristic ethnic medicinal resource in the county. The special geographical environment, climate, and soil conditions in Luodian are suitable for its growth. The original habitat of wild Aina Xiang in Luodian County is mainly distributed in the tropical river valleys of southern towns and townships such as Hongshui River, Luo Su, Luo Tuo, Luo Kun, Gou Ting, Ban Ren, Long Ping, and Feng Ting. The mugwort leaves of Aina Xiang can be processed into mugwort powder through distillation, and the mugwort powder can be further extracted to produce natural ice flakes that can inhibit the growth of Vibrio cholerae, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus, which are the main components of many Chinese patent medicines. Therefore, Luodian is one of the earliest counties in Guizhou Province to cultivate and process Aina Xiang, and the processing and extraction of wild Aina Xiang has also become a traditional folk practice.
Product Protection
Introduction
According to the "Regulations on the Protection of Geographical Indication Products," the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of China organized experts to review the application for the protection of geographical indication products of Luodian Aina Xiang. After passing the review, Luodian Aina Xiang was approved as a geographical indication protected product and the protection was implemented from March 13, 2012.
Origin Range
The origin range of Luodian Aina Xiang includes the administrative areas of 21 towns and townships in Luodian County, Guizhou Province, including Hongshui River Town, Long Ping Town, Mao Jing Town, Luo Kun Town, Feng Ting Town, Mo Yang Town, Feng Ting Township, Da Ting Township, Ba Zong Township, Luo Su Township, Luo Tuo Township, Luo Mu Township, Gou Ting Township, Ban Ren Township, Dong Dang Township, Ban Geng Township, Yun Gan Township, Dong Wang Township, Jiao Yan Township, Na Ping Township, Mu Yin Township.
Use of Special Logo
Producers within the origin range of Luodian Aina Xiang can apply to the Quality and Technical Supervision Bureau of Luodian County, Guizhou Province for the use of the "Special Logo for Geographical Indication Products." After being reviewed by the Quality and Technical Supervision Bureau of Guizhou Province and approved by the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of China, it will be announced. The designated testing institution for Luodian Aina Xiang is designated by the Quality and Technical Supervision Bureau of Guizhou Province.
Quality and Technical Requirements
(1) Source.
Mugwort (Blumea balsamifera(L)DC.) of the Asteraceae family.
(2) Site conditions.
The production area is mountainous, with an altitude of 400m to 800m, and the soil is yellow-red soil and sandy soil. The soil pH value is 5.0 to 6.5, and the organic matter content is ≥2.0%.
(3) Cultivation management.
1. Seedling: Asexual reproduction.
2. Planting:
(1) Time: From March to May each year.
(2) Density: Planting spacing is 0.8cm × 0.8cm, and 15,000 to 16,000 plants are planted per hectare of land.
3. Environmental and safety requirements: The use of pesticides, fertilizers, etc. must comply with relevant national regulations and must not pollute the environment.
(4) Harvest.
Both cultivated and wild mugwort are harvested from November to December each year.
(5) Quality characteristics.
1. Sensory characteristics: The leaves are wide oval or elongated lanceolate, densely covered with hairs on both sides. The aroma is cool and fragrant, and the taste is spicy.
2. Physicochemical indicators: The levorotatory borneol content of fresh leaves is ≥0.2%.
3. Safety and other quality technical requirements: Product safety and other quality technical requirements must comply with relevant national regulations.
