Local villagers from Gengzhuang village, which lies at the western foot of Mount Tai in Tai'an, Shandong province, harvest the medicinal plant Polygonatum. [Photo/Tai'an Daily]

Gengzhuang village, located at the western foot of Mount Tai, has a unique geographical climate most suitable for the growing of the medicinal plant Polygonatum (Solomon's seal), dubbed "local gold" due to its high economic value.

Polygonatum plants have been used as traditional medicine and functional food. They are highly effective in clinical practice for treating age-related diseases, diabetes, lung diseases, fatigue, lack of energy and indigestion.

Beginning in 2019, local villagers started to grow these medicinal plants with the support of the local government and enterprises. The village has since grown increasingly affluent while contributing to the thriving development of the Polygonatum industry in Tai'an.

In recent years, Tai'an has put forward a series of policies to support the development of the Polygonatum industry, including growing, product development, processing and sales, as part of its efforts to shore up the local economy and boost rural vitalization.

At an industrial park for Polygonatum in Tai'an, the plants are developed into popular products in five categories and nine series of food, health products, special medical and special dietary products, cosmetics, and traditional Chinese medicine, which are now sold both at home and abroad.