Artisans Maintain Traditional Rehmannia Processing in Yongchun

Ninth-generation heritage practitioner Zhang Wenzhu is preparing a new batch of Yongchun Rehmannia in Dapu Town. The production cycle for the medicinal product involves specific stages in July and August to ensure quality. High-grade Rehmannia is characterized by a black, oily, and dry texture. In Hushan Town, Yongchun County, artisans continue traditional methods for processing Rehmannia. The process involves storing the medicinal plant in large jars rather than refrigerators to aid maturation. Local households display rows of these storage containers outside their homes following the annual harvest. Following the annual harvest, households in the region display rows of processed goods at their entrances. Unlike many other products, this traditional Rehmannia does not require refrigeration and is stored in large jars to aid maturation. The process requires repeating these steps for three to four months to ensure the material absorbs environmental elements. The labor-intensive nature of the work is due to the complex and time-consuming steps involved. Artisan Yan Zipei utilizes traditional processing techniques for Rehmannia in Hushan Town, Yongchun County. Craftspeople in Yongchun continue to use ancient methods for processing Rehmannia.