Basic Introduction to Fengqiu Honeysuckle
Fengqiu is one of the original birthplaces of honeysuckle. There are clear records in the legacy materials from the Liang Dynasty, and it has a planting history of over 1,500 years. The buds of Fengqiu honeysuckle are thick, long, and brightly colored, with high medicinal efficiency and health benefits. The unique geographical environment and management methods have successfully domesticated the unique erect properties of Fengqiu honeysuckle, which is conducive to ventilation and light transmission, absorption of nutrients, making the honeysuckle flowers large and plump, fresh and green, with high medicinal components. Its quality ranks first among similar products nationwide. In 1980, after examining the soil, climate, and other conditions in Fengqiu, the former State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine invested heavily to establish a honeysuckle production base in Fengqiu. Its long history and outstanding quality have also been favored by numerous manufacturers at home and abroad. Fengqiu honeysuckle is making new and greater contributions to the modernization of traditional Chinese medicine and human health. During the fight against SARS, honeysuckle was the first choice in anti-SARS Chinese medicines due to its good quality, and it was highly favored by the medical industry and consumers.
Product Characteristics
The buds of Fengqiu honeysuckle are thick, long, and brightly colored, with high medicinal efficiency and health benefits.
Historical Folklore
One thousand five hundred years ago, in a place called Huangchi (today's Fengqiu County) on the Central Plains, there lived a doctor surnamed Huang who was devoted to helping people. He had two twin daughters as beautiful as flowers, the elder named Xiaojinhua and the younger named Xiaoyinhua. This family was known for their kindness and charity, loved by the local people. One day, a terrible plague broke out in the village and spread throughout. Despite drinking the detoxifying soup prepared by their father after days of hard work, villagers still succumbed to the disease in agony after several days. The sisters were heartbroken by their father's anxiousness and his graying hair. They secretly went to the Medicine God Temple behind the village and vowed to transform themselves into a cure for the disease. Moved by their sincerity, the Medicine God granted their wish, turning them into a plant that bloomed together. Doctor Huang dreamed of an immortal instructing him to gather divine herbs at the Medicine God Temple to save the people. The next morning, he picked the flowers transformed by his daughters and made tea according to the immortal's guidance, distributing it to the villagers. Indeed, the disease was cured. When the villagers learned that the life-saving tea was made from the lives of Xiaojinhua and Xiaoyinhua, they all came to thank the Medicine God. To commemorate the sisters' benevolence, they named the divine herb “honeysuckle” or “erhua.” In memory of the Huang family's kindness, they renamed their village Huangde Village. This is now Huangde Town in Fengqiu County, Henan Province. To this day, the people of Huangde Town hold a grand temple fair annually to express gratitude to the sisters for their virtues. It is said that when Jade Emperor learned of their selfless act, he was deeply moved and bestowed upon the sisters the title of “Honeysuckle Fairies,” ensuring they would forever protect their beloved hometown alongside the Medicine God.
Awards and Honors
As a genuine product of Chinese herbal medicine, more than 80% of Fengqiu honeysuckle is sold overseas through re-export trade each year. It is also designated as a medicinal source base by some well-known large pharmaceutical companies in China and is recorded in historical documents as authentic honeysuckle and a key collection item. In January 2003, Fengqiu County's honeysuckle obtained protection through origin marking registration, becoming a Chinese national treasure and poised to become an international brand name product on par with South African diamonds and French wine.