LANZHOU: The locals of northwest China’s Minxian County can talk with some eloquence on the many uses of astragalus roots: Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) practitioners prescribe them to boost immunity, chefs use them to flavor broth, and villagers living close to the herb farms allegedly never develop age spots.
In recent months, the medicinal material has pocketed two more laurels: it has been incorporated into many TCM therapies treating COVID-19, and has increasingly been used as an antidote to the county’s perennial poverty.
“Astragalus roots can restore ‘qi’ and activate immunity. Our monthly sales doubled from 2-3 tonnes to 5-6 tonnes after the coronavirus outbreak,” said Wang Wanwen, Party chief of Fuli Village, Minxian County, in Gansu Province.
“Apart from use as a medication, our herbs are increasingly consumed as tonic foods, because people have been paying more attention to their health since the epidemic,” said Wang, referring to the Chinese habits of drinking herbal tea and seasoning broths with herbs. Wang heads a farmers’ cooperative that processes and sells local herbs. – Agencies
