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The grasshopper has many segments in its legs,
The bee’s spleen has a sweet fragrance.
Moss traces separate into spirals,
Orchids gather into a beautiful array.
The pharmacopeia knows it once existed,
But the poem’s title has never been obtained.
In the evening, the wind plays with the tile basin,
It brushes gently against my collar.
《石斛》 ——Song Dynasty poet Hong Zikui
Indeed, the reverence for Dendrobium (铁皮石斛) is deeply rooted in Chinese history and culture. The term “九大仙草” (Nine Immortal Herbs) highlights its esteemed status among medicinal herbs. Dendrobium is celebrated not only for its potent health benefits but also for its rich historical associations with figures like Emperor Qianlong, Empress Wu Zetian, and Emperor Qin Shi Huang. These legendary connections have contributed to its esteemed position in traditional Chinese medicine.
According to the Taiwan Herbal Medicine Standard, Dendrobium, commonly known as “石斛” (Shihu), includes several species such as *Dendrobium nobile* Lindl., *Dendrobium loddigesii* Rolfe, *Dendrobium chrysanthum* Wall. ex Lindl., *Dendrobium fimbriatum* Hook., *Dendrobium officinale* Kimura & Migo, *Dendrobium chrysotoxum* Lindl., and *Dendrobium tosaense* Makino. These can be used either fresh or dried.
Key Points:
1. Varieties and Classification:
– Iron Skin Dendrobium (Dendrobium officinale) is further classified based on stem and leaf color into “Green Stem Iron Skin” and “Red Stem Iron Skin.”
– Fresh vs. Dried: Fresh Dendrobium is stronger in clearing heat, while dried Dendrobium is more effective for nourishing yin.
2. Historical and Regional Background:
– Historically, it was recorded as “林蘭” (Lin Lan) in the *Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing* (Divine Farmer’s Materia Medica) as a top-grade herb.
– In the *Ming Yi Bie Lu* (Classified Collection of Famous Physicians), it is mentioned with several names: “禁生” (Jin Sheng), “杜蘭” (Du Lan), and “石遂” (Shi Sui).
3. Growing Regions:
– Predominantly found in provinces south of the Yangtze River, with major production areas in Guangdong, Guangxi, and Zhejiang.
– Specific varieties such as Huo Dendrobium (霍石斛) are mainly grown in Huoshan County, Anhui. Other varieties like Huancao Dendrobium and Huangcao Dendrobium are found in Guangdong, Guangxi, Yunnan, and Guizhou.
– Taiwan, with advanced orchid cultivation technology, has significant production in central Taiwan (Taichung, Nantou) and also grows Dendrobium on betel nut trees with good results.
4. Harvesting and Quality:
– Harvesting season depends on the latitude of cultivation. Fresh Dendrobium is cleaned of roots and soil, while dried Dendrobium has impurities removed, briefly blanched or softened, then rubbed and sun-dried. The best quality is often harvested in the year following flowering.
– Fresh Dendrobium should be green or black-green, plump, juicy, and sticky when chewed.
– Dried Dendrobium should be golden-yellow, glossy, flexible, vibrant in color, thick, and sticky when chewed.
This overview highlights the significance of Dendrobium in traditional medicine and the specifics regarding its cultivation and usage.
In the selection of Dendrobium, there are specific terms and distinctions to be aware of:
1. 化渣 (Hua Zha): This term refers to Dendrobium that, when chewed, leaves no residue. This quality indicates the herb’s purity and effectiveness.
2. 鐵皮楓斗 (Tie Pi Feng Dou) or 耳環石斛 (Er Huan Shi Hu): These terms describe a type of Dendrobium where the iron skin variety (*Dendrobium officinale*) is trimmed of some roots and then processed by twisting into spiral or spring shapes before drying. This preparation method results in a distinctive appearance.
3. 霍山米斛 (Huo Shan Mi Hu): This is a premium grade of Dendrobium, known for its high value, with prices reaching several tens of thousands of yuan per pound. It is considered one of the most valuable varieties.
Common Counterfeits and Identification:
– 流蘇金石斛 (Liu Su Jin Shi Hu): A common counterfeit is the Liu Su Jin Dendrobium, which can be identified by its pseudo-scalloped stems that are golden-yellow and expanded into a flat, spindle shape. When examining such products, it is important to check if the thicker slices match those of genuine Dendrobium or if the outer skin is smooth or has only shallow longitudinal lines, which might indicate a counterfeit.
– 增重粉和染色的流蘇石斛 (Zeng Zhong Fen He Ran Se De Liu Su Shi Hu): Some counterfeit products have been found to contain weight-increasing powders and dyes. These can be identified by the presence of yellow powdery substances on the surface and cutting edge, with a darker yellow color. These counterfeits are usually heavier and harder, with a cool, tongue-pricking sensation when tasted.
These guidelines are crucial for ensuring the authenticity and quality of Dendrobium when purchasing.
Dendrobium is relatively expensive due to its challenging cultivation and harvest processes, which require considerable labor. Therefore, when purchasing, it is important for consumers to choose reputable vendors. In Taiwan, authorities have established standards for testing heavy metals and sulfur dioxide in Dendrobium, ensuring that consumers can use the herb with confidence.
Image provided by Professor Zhang Xianzhe’s ‘Authentic Medicinal Material Illustrated Guide’ http://en.whatsintcm.com