Polygonatum sibiricum

Polygonatum sibiricum is also called tiger ginger, cockscomb ginseng, etc. in Qimen folk, and it is called Huangzhi in ancient times, which means a panacea like Ganoderma lucidum. Polygonatum sibiricum is a perennial herb of Liliaceae, which has transverse rhizomes underground and is fleshy. The stems on the ground are long and weak, one with many impellers, the leaves are short like bamboo, linear and lanceolate, the apex is curled and wrapped around other things, and there is no handle. Flowering in summer, drooping pedicels, white bell-shaped flowers, spherical berries, and black when ripe. In traditional Chinese medicine, the rhizome of Astragalus root is used as medicine, which is flat and sweet, and has the functions of nourishing spleen and moistening lung, benefiting qi and nourishing yin, calming the five internal organs, strengthening bones and muscles, stopping cold and heat, and filling the essence. It is a traditional Chinese medicine with good curative effect. Du Fu's poem says, "Sweep away the white hair and Huang Jing is there. Look at his ice and snow." Taking Polygonatum for a long time is refreshing and prolongs life. According to legend, Master Haiyu, a monk of Ming Dynasty, practiced penance in the cave of Jiuhuashan Baisui Palace, eating Polygonatum instead of rice, and lived for 110 years. Huang Jingxi likes damp, cold-tolerant, wild hillside forest. Every year from late autumn to early spring before germination, it is the best harvesting time. After digging, the rhizome is washed, steamed in a steamer until it penetrates the heart, taken out and rubbed while drying, and the finished product is obtained. Qimen Polygonatum is rich in resources, with a reserve of more than 20 tons. And it was used very early. According to historical records, during the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty (1573-1619), a monk from Jiuhuashan came to Qi specially, bought Polygonatum sibiricum in the four townships, steamed it for nine times, and made it carefully. It was called "Nine-system Polygonatum sibiricum", which was oily, fragrant and sweet, with good quality, and was favored by people who went to Jiuhuashan for pilgrimage and tourism, and the demand was in short supply. Since then, Qimen Polygonatum has gained a great reputation and is still very popular today.
Reprinted with attribution： https://cnlocality.com/(Chinese Specialty Products)