The launch of new medicinal standards for Anoectochilus roxburghii, or Jinxianlian, marks a significant advancement in the traditional Chinese medicine industry of Jinhua, Zhejiang province, according to a news conference on Jan 6.

In December, standards for Jinxianlian, led by Jinhua, were issued by the Zhejiang Medical Products Administration, giving the herb a medicinal "identity card" in Zhejiang. This is a crucial step in Jinhua's standardization efforts and expands its industrial potential.

Jinxianlian is valued for its ability to eliminate dampness and detoxify. Owing to technological advancements, Jinhua has developed the province's largest Jinxianlian production base, with an annual cultivation capacity of 30 million plantlets, accounting for 70 percent of provincial output.

Prior to these standards, the herb was sold only as a secondary agricultural product due to the absence of medicinal guidelines. After eight years of dedicated research, these new standards now fill this gap, offering significant opportunities for Jinhua's TCM industry.

Jinhua, known for its rich cultural heritage in traditional Chinese medicine, prioritizes TCM as a key industry, blending tradition with innovation. The city has a rich 1,100-year history of medicinal plant cultivation, featuring resources such as Lingzhi, Dendrobium candidum, and Jinxianlian. It has developed clusters for TCM manufacturing and trade, and is home to major enterprises like Zhejiang Conba Pharmaceutical Co and Zhejiang Longevity Valley Botanical Co.

Known for brands such as "Taponing" and "Shouxiangu", Jinhua excels in product quality and market share, with nine local TCM varieties selected as "Zhejiang-made TCM" industrial brands, ranking second province-wide.