Best Chinese Herbs in Yunnan

Yunnan’s climate conditions are unique, and its plant resources are abundant, making many areas famous for producing medicinal herbs. Yunnan produces over a thousand types of traditional Chinese medicinal materials, enjoying high reputation both domestically and internationally. Today, let’s explore some of Yunnan’s famous traditional Chinese herbs.

Notoginseng (Sanqi)三七

Primarily produced in Wenshan Prefecture, Honghe, Yuxi, Qujing, Dali, Chuxiong, Kunming, and other places, with cultivation in various regions. It has a long history, excellent quality, and is renowned both in China and abroad. The annual production in Yunnan accounts for more than 70% of China’s total.

Notoginseng is a perennial herb in the Araliaceae family. Li Shizhen referred to it as “gold that cannot be exchanged.” Its stems, leaves, and flowers can all be used medicinally.

Notoginseng has the effect of “breaking and nourishing,” meaning that raw notoginseng can activate blood circulation, reduce swelling, and relieve pain, making it effective for trauma and strain; cooked notoginseng (fried with chicken oil or other oils until golden) can nourish the blood and strengthen the body.

Notoginseng is categorized into “spring notoginseng” and “winter notoginseng,” based on the harvesting season. Spring notoginseng is harvested before the seeds set, while winter notoginseng is harvested afterward. Spring notoginseng is of higher quality, with large, heavy, well-colored, smooth, and solid roots being the best. Winter notoginseng tends to have more wrinkles and is of lower quality.

Yunnan’s main production areas are in Wenshan Prefecture’s counties, including Yanshan, Maguan, and Xichou, where cultivation has a history of three to four hundred years.

Gastrodia Elata (Tianma)天麻

Produced in Zhenxiong, Daqian, Weixin, Yongshan, Lijiang, Weixi, Yunlong, Fugong, and Gongshan counties. The commercial gastrodia is large, firm, and has a bright yellow-white color, commonly known as “bright gastrodia.”

Gastrodia, also known as “Chijian,” “Dingfengcao,” or “Shuiyangyu,” is a precious medicinal herb used recently to treat high blood pressure and nervous system disorders.

Yunnan is one of China’s main production areas for gastrodia, with the highest yield and best quality found in Zhaotong’s counties, particularly in the Yi Liang and Zhenxiong regions.

Yangchun Sand (Yangchunsha)阳春砂

Primarily produced in Xishuangbanna, Dehong, Wenshan, Honghe, and Lincang. The annual production in Yunnan accounts for about 60% of China’s total, making it the leading producer.

Yangchun Sand is the dried mature fruit of the cardamom genus in the ginger family and is one of the medicinal plants listed in the Pharmacopoeia of the People’s Republic of China. Originally from Guangdong, Xishuangbanna in Yunnan has become the main production area for Yangchun Sand in China.

Dendrobium (Tiepi Shihu)铁皮石斛

Distributed in Wenshan, Simao, Xishuangbanna, Dehong, Honghe, Lincang, Qujing, and other regions. Yunnan accounts for about 50% of China’s annual procurement, making it the leading producer.

Dendrobium is a perennial epiphytic herb in the Orchidaceae family, also known as “black-jointed herb” or “Yunnan dendrobium.” It contains polysaccharides, alkaloids, amino acids, and various trace elements, and is recognized as a top-tier health supplement.

Wild Dendrobium is a nationally protected rare and endangered plant, with artificial cultivation in Yunnan’s Dehong, Xishuangbanna, and Baoshan regions.

Angelica (Danggui)当归

Mainly produced in Lijiang, Zhongdian, Deqin, Lanping, Weixi, Heqing, and Jianchuan counties. Known as “Yun Angelica,” it is praised for its large size, firmness, strong flavor, and rich oil content. It is primarily exported.

Angelica, from the Apiaceae family, is used to nourish and invigorate the blood, moisten dryness, smooth the intestines, remove stasis, and relieve pain and regulate menstruation. The root is used in stews with chicken or meat and is a warming tonic with effects for nourishing blood and treating deficiencies. Yunnan’s high-altitude areas are the main production regions, with the best quality being dry, with a large root head, firmness, oil content, aromatic smell, and white flesh.

Rock Cabbage (Yanbaicai)岩白菜

Rock cabbage is the dried rhizome of the rock cabbage plant in the Saxifragaceae family, also known as “dull cabbage,” “short cabbage,” “rock wall vegetable,” “stone cabbage,” “red rock seven,” and “snow-head flowering.”

It has nourishing and strengthening properties and is used to stop bleeding and cough. Originally a folk remedy, its main component, yanbaicai saponin, has expectorant and cough-relief effects, showing good results in treating chronic bronchitis.

There are 10 species of rock cabbage worldwide, with 7 species found in China. In Yunnan, it is primarily distributed in the northwest, central, and northeast regions.

Yunnan Wood Fragrance (Yunmuxiang)云木香

A genuine medicinal material. Main production areas include Lijiang, Diqing, Dali, Baoshan, and Nujiang, with some cultivation in Chuxiong, Qujing, and Zhaotong. The roots are uniform, solid, heavy, oily, and aromatic. Yunnan’s annual procurement is among the top one or two in China.

It is a perennial herb in the Asteraceae family, with a height of 100-200 cm. The main root is robust, cylindrical, and has a distinctive fragrance. The leaves are triangular-ovate or long triangular, with shallowly serrated or wavy edges. The stem leaves are broadly oval. The achenes are linear.

It blooms from July to August and fruits from August to October. Found in Yunnan and other regions in China, its roots are used to strengthen the stomach, relieve bloating, regulate qi, and ease pain.

Coptis (Huanglian)黄连

Mainly distributed in Nujiang Prefecture and Tengchong County; with some cultivation in Weixi, Yunlong, and Jianchuan counties. It is characterized by its solid texture, yellow color, bitter taste, and the presence of a chrysanthemum-like heart.

Also known as “Weilian,” “Chuanlian,” or “Jizhualian,” it belongs to the Ranunculaceae family and is a perennial herb. The leaves are basal, thick, ovate-triangular, three-parted, with the central lobes being ovate-rhombic and deeply cleft. The leaf margins are sharply serrated, and the leaf stalks are 5-12 cm long. It grows wild or is cultivated in cool, shaded valleys at altitudes of 1000-1900 meters. It has effects of clearing heat, drying dampness, and detoxifying.

Coptis deltoidea (Huhuanglian)胡黄连

Distributed in Deqin, Weixi, Zhongdian, and Gongshan counties, with initial success in cultivating wild varieties.

Coptis deltoidea, from the Ranunculaceae family, is the dried rhizome of the plant. It is also known as “Hu Lian,” “Jia Huanglian” (Tibetan name), “Tibetan Coptis,” or “Domestic Coptis.” It is used as a medicine to clear heat and dry dampness. It is mainly found in the northwest of Yunnan, including Deqin, Zhongdian, Weixi, and Gongshan.

Poria (Fuling)茯苓

Also known as “Yunling.” Wildly distributed in Lijiang, Weixi, Zhongdian, Fugong, Yunlong, Jianchuan, Tengchong, Luquan, Wuding, Fumin, Xuanwei, and other counties.

Cultivated mainly in Chuxiong Prefecture, Kunming City, and Qujing; Weixi and Lijiang also grow it. The product is noted for its weight, solidity, large size, smoothness, non-cracking, white and delicate cross-section. It is supplied domestically and for export.

Magnolia officinalis (Daye Houpu)大叶厚朴

Magnolia officinalis is the dried branches, roots, and bark of the plant from the Magnoliaceae family. Known as “Tengchong Houpu,” “Gongshan Houpu,” or “Dianmian Houpu,” due to its primary production areas in Tengchong, Gaoligong Mountain, and the Myanmar border.

Magnolia bark is commonly used in traditional medicine for treating common and frequent ailments. It is mainly distributed in the northwest of Yunnan and the western Myanmar border regions, including Tengchong, Luxi, Fugong, Gongshan, and Deqin counties.

Snow Lotus (Xuelian)雪莲

In Tibetan, it is called “Gangla Mei Duo” or “Xia Gui Suo Ba.” It belongs to the Asteraceae family and is a plant 10-30 cm high, covered with dense white cotton-like hairs, resembling cotton. It is used to clear heat, detoxify, relieve heat pain, regulate menstruation, and stop bleeding.

In Yunnan’s Zhongdian area, there are varieties such as Cotton-head Snow Lotus, Jellyfish Snow Lotus, and Three-finger Snow Lotus.

Catechu (Ercha)儿茶

Mainly produced in Xishuangbanna. The catechin content is 40-50%. It is the peeled branches of the Acacia catechu plant, dried and boiled to make a concentrated extract. It is harvested in winter, with branches dried, peeled, chopped, boiled, concentrated, and dried. It is also cultivated in Hainan.

Catechu has properties to invigorate blood and relieve pain, stop bleeding and promote tissue regeneration, astringe and heal wounds, and clear phlegm. It is used for injuries, external bleeding, hematemesis, ulcers, eczema, and lung heat cough.

Chebula (Hezi)诃子

Distributed in Baoshan, Lincang, and Dehong regions. The product is known for its firmness, weight, and thick flesh. Yunnan accounts for about 80% of China’s annual procurement.

Chebula, from the Combretaceae family, is the dried mature fruit of the Terminalia chebula plant. It has astringent properties to stop diarrhea, relieve cough, reduce fire, and soothe the throat. It is commonly used for chronic diarrhea, dysentery, rectal prolapse, lung weakness, persistent cough, and sore throat.

White Snow Tea (Bai Xue Cha)白雪茶

Also known as “Di Xue Cha,” this tea is grown in high-altitude areas of Yunnan. It has a delicate fragrance with a hint of bitterness and a sweet aftertaste. White Snow Tea contains various beneficial compounds that can lower blood lipids, aid weight loss, refresh the mind, clear heat, quench thirst, moisten the lungs, and relieve cough. It is effective for hypertension, nervous disorders, and pharyngitis.

Fritillaria (Bei Mu)贝母

Fritillaria is a perennial herb from the Liliaceae family, named for its resemblance to the shape of a “shell” (bei). It is commonly used for lung diseases, such as pneumonia, acute and chronic bronchitis, dry cough, and hemoptysis. It is widely produced in Shangri-La.

Dengzhanxi Xin (Deng Zhan Xi Xin)灯盏细辛

Also known as “Deng Zhan Ju,” “Tu Xi Xin,” “Di Ding Cao,” “Xi Xin Cao,” or “Dong Ju,” this herb is the dried whole plant of the short-stemmed Asteraceae member. Dengzhanxi Xin has a warm nature with a spicy, slightly bitter taste. It can disperse cold, relieve surface symptoms, expel wind and dampness, and relieve pain. It is primarily distributed in Wenshan, Honghe, Yuxi, Kunming, Chuxiong, Qujing, Zhaotong, Dali, Lijiang, and Diqing regions of Yunnan.

Pinellia (Ban Xia)半夏

This herb is abundant in wild resources, mainly found in Zhaotong, Qujing, Kunming, and Wenshan regions. The product is round, pearl-like, white, firm, finely powdered, and has a spicy taste.

Pinellia is used to dry dampness, transform phlegm, stop vomiting, and resolve abdominal distension. It is employed for phlegm-related cough and asthma, dizziness from phlegm, phlegm-induced headaches, vomiting, and chest discomfort. It is also used externally for treating abscesses and phlegm nodules.

Gentiana (Qin Jiao)秦艽

Distributed in Lijiang, Dali, Diqing, and Nujiang regions. The product is noted for its thick, firm, and well-textured roots. It is also known as “Da Ye Long Dan,” “Da Ye Qin Jiao,” or “Xi Qin Jiao.”

This perennial herb has cylindrical roots and large basal leaves, with stem leaves being lance-shaped and arranged in whorls. It blooms in summer and autumn with deep blue-purple tubular flowers. It has high medicinal value and is used to treat rheumatic joint pain, tuberculosis, tidal fever, and jaundice.

Lijiang Mountain Dioscorea (Li Jiang Shan Ci Gu)丽江山慈菇

This is the dried bulb of the Lijiang Mountain Dioscorea from the Liliaceae family. It is also known as “Guang Ci Gu,” “Tu Bei Mu,” “Cao Bei Mu,” “Jia Bei Mu,” “Nao Gou Yao,” or “Yi Bi Jian.” It has a warm nature, bitter taste, and is toxic. It can detoxify, reduce swelling, and resolve hardness.

Research has found that it contains colchicine, which can be used as a raw material for extracting colchicine. It is mainly distributed in the northwest Yunnan regions of Lijiang, Diqing, and Dali.

Yunnan Scutellaria (Dian Huang Qin)滇黄芩

Yunnan Scutellaria, also known as “Scutellaria,” “Kunming Scutellaria,” and “Southwest Scutellaria,” is the dried root of the Scutellaria baicalensis plant from the Lamiaceae family. It has a long history of use in traditional Chinese medicine and is widely distributed in most parts of Yunnan, except for the southern and southwestern regions.

Poria (Zhu Ling)猪苓

Poria is found in counties such as Weixi, Lijiang, Ninglang, Eryuan, Jianchuan, Yunlong, Lanping, Gongshan, and Zhenxiong. The product is characterized by large size, firmness, black skin, and white flesh.

Poria is a medicinal fungus from the Polyporaceae family and genus. The young fruiting body is edible and highly flavorful. Its underground sclerotia are black, vary in shape, and are a famous Chinese medicine with diuretic properties for treating edema. Poria contains poria polysaccharides (glucans) and has been tested for anticancer properties.

Polygonatum (Pi Ma Cao)披麻草

Polygonatum is a plant from the Liliaceae family, including species like Dali Polygonatum, Mengzi Polygonatum, Narrow-leaved Polygonatum, and Hairy-leaved Polygonatum. It is known by various names such as “Small Polygonatum,” “Polygonatum,” “Small Brown Package,” and “Human Hair.” It is a raw material for traditional Chinese medicines and is distributed in many parts of Yunnan.

Pangolin (Chuan Shan Jia)穿山甲

The pangolin is found in tropical, subtropical, and temperate regions below 2,500 meters in altitude. The scales are large, glossy, odorless, and free from meat oil.

Long Pepper (Bi Ba)荜茇

Long Pepper is distributed in counties such as Yingjiang, Ruili, Luxi, Longchuan, Lianghe, and in regions like Simao, Xishuangbanna, Lincang, and Nujiang. The product features large, firm, plump, dark brown fruit spikes with a slightly red cross-section. Yunnan accounts for over 70% of the annual national harvest.

Dew Grass (Lu Shui Cao)露水草

Dew Grass is the root or whole plant with roots from the Commelinaceae family, known by names like “Pearl Dew Grass” (Qujing), “Cock’s Comb Ginseng” (Kunming), “Zhimu” (Mengzi), “Hairy Blue Ear Grass,” and “Chicken Claw Ginseng” (Gejiu). Its main functions include dispelling wind, activating channels, relieving dampness and swelling, and reducing heat. It is found throughout most of Yunnan, except for the high-altitude cold regions in the northeast and northwest.

Tofu Dregs Fruit (Dou Fu Zha Guo)豆腐渣果

Tofu Dregs Fruit comes from the plants in the family Sapindaceae, including the Deep Green Dragon Eye. It is also known as “Tofu Fruit,” “Mother Pig Fruit,” “Luo Luo Fruit,” and “Radish Tree.” Its seeds are used to extract Tofu Fruit Glycoside (Shen Shuai Guo Su) and are used by various ethnic groups in Yunnan. The medicinal use of the seeds, roots, leaves, and stems varies. It is primarily distributed in Dehong, Lincang, Xishuangbanna, Simao, Yuanjiang, Chuxiong, and Weishan counties.

Musk (She Xiang)麝香

Musk is distributed in areas such as Diqing, Lijiang, Nujiang, Dali, Chuxiong, Baoshan, Qujing, and Zhaotong. It is warm in nature, non-toxic, and bitter in taste. It enters the heart, spleen, and liver meridians and is used for opening orifices, dispelling filth, unblocking channels, and dispersing blood stasis. It is primarily used to treat stroke, phlegm obstruction, convulsions, distress, abdominal pain, traumatic injuries, and abscesses.

Purple Salvia (Zi Dan Shen)紫丹参

Purple Salvia, also known as Yunnan Salvia, Small Purple Salvia, or Dian Salvia, is the root of the Salvia miltiorrhiza plant from the Lamiaceae family. It has a slightly bitter taste and a slightly cold nature, with effects that calm the mind and soothe the heart. It is mainly distributed in the eastern, central, and northwestern regions of Yunnan.

Fo-ti (He Shou Wu)何首乌

Fo-ti, also known as Polygonum multiflorum, is distributed in Yuxi, Honghe, Wenshan, Chuxiong, Kunming, and Zhaotong. The product is large, firm, and exhibits a significant powdery texture, with a black-brown exterior and yellowish-white or reddish-brown interior, often marked with cloud-like patterns. It is a tonic herb used for its restorative properties.

Coarse-stemmed Gentian (Cu Jing Qin Jiao)粗茎秦艽

Coarse-stemmed Gentian, also known as “Niu Wei Qin Jiao,” “Niu Wei Jiao,” “Radish Gentian,” and “Dian Gentian,” is the dried root of the Gentiana macrophylla plant from the Gentianaceae family. Its functions include dispelling wind-dampness, clearing damp-heat, and relieving joint pain. It is mainly found in Yunnan’s Lijiang, Diqing, Nujiang, Dali, and Zhaotong, and is commonly grown in high-altitude areas.

Cordyceps (Dong Chong Xia Cao)冬虫夏草

Cordyceps is distributed in counties such as Lijiang, Zhongdian, Deqin, and Gongshan. The product is known for its dry, plump, robust body with a white cross-section, and short, non-blackened fungal base.

Red Snow Tea (Hong Xue Cha)红雪茶

Red Snow Tea, also known as Gold Silk Tea, has been used in Tibetan medicine for centuries. Modern research shows that it is rich in essential trace elements and has effects such as lowering blood lipids and cholesterol, clearing the heart and opening orifices, nourishing blood, and improving heart health. It is effective for hypertension, coronary heart disease, and obesity, with no toxic side effects, making it an excellent health product and gift.

Gentian (Long Dan)龙胆

Gentian is distributed in Baoshan, Wenshan, Dali, Chuxiong, Zhaotong, Qujing, and Lincang. The root is characterized by its coarse, fat, bright yellow color, and extremely bitter taste.

Dragon’s Blood (Xue Jie)血竭

Dragon’s Blood is processed from the Dragon’s Blood Tree in the seasonal rainforest of Xishuangbanna and is known as the “Holy Medicine for Blood Circulation.” It is used to treat traumatic injuries, blood stasis pain, rheumatism, and gynecological disorders. It is also a key ingredient in the “Qili San” medication.

Snow Mountain Aconite (Xue Shang Yi Zhi Hao)雪上一枝蒿

Snow Mountain Aconite is the dried tuber of the Aconitum gymnandrum from the Ranunculaceae family, known by names such as “Snow Mountain Aconite,” “One-stem Aconite,” “Iron Rod Hammer,” “Iron Bull Seven,” and “Three-turn Half.” It has unique effects on internal and external pain but is highly toxic. Due to its potency and the narrow margin between therapeutic and toxic doses, it is classified as a special management drug.

Lampstand Leaf (Deng Tai Ye)灯台叶

Lampstand Leaf is the dried leaf of the Sugar Maple Tree from the Apocynaceae family, also known as Lampstand Tree, Lampstand Tree, Noodle Tree, and Duck Foot Tree. It is used in Yunnan folk medicine to treat chronic bronchitis.

There is also a related plant called Small-leaved Lampstand Leaf from the Apocynaceae family, which should be differentiated. It is mainly found in southern, southeastern, and southwestern Yunnan, such as Simao, Xishuangbanna, Lincang, Honghe, Wenshan, Dehong, and Baoshan.

Qing Yang Shen (青羊参)

Qing Yang Shen, also known as Qingyang Ginseng, is the dried root of the Qingyang Shen plant from the Cucurbitaceae family. It is a traditional herbal medicine discovered among the Bai and Naxi ethnic groups in western Yunnan. It has a warm nature and a taste that is both spicy and sweet, with mild toxicity. It is used to treat rheumatic bone pain, lumbar muscle strain, and general weakness or exhaustion. Qing Yang Shen is distributed in most parts of Yunnan Province.