Chinese medicinal herbs expected to become school plants

Chinese medicinal herbs are expected to be grown in primary and secondary schools in Beijing.

A pilot program introducing Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) into schools will be launched in primary schools in Dongcheng District, said Tu Zhitao, chief of the technology section at Beijing Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine at a recent forum entitled “sharing knowledge and explaining the culture of TCM.” The program is aimed at helping young people, understand the species, appearances and effects of TCM to get a better grasp of the culture by growing the plants themselves.

1. Name: Radix isatidis (Woad) Medicinal part: Roots Medicinal functions: Antipyretic and antidotal

First batch of seeds to be distributed before summer vacation

On the afternoon of July 6, each of the 48 primary schools in Dongcheng District sent one teacher to Dongsijiutiao Primary school to receive training about the planting of Chinese medicinal herbs. They were also given the first batch of seeds by Professor Zhang Bengang from the Institute of Medicinal Plant Development under the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences. Before the summer vacation, these seeds will be distributed to the students whose classes are participating in the program. The children will be taught how to grow radix isatidis and henbane that can relieve fever and pain.

Six chosen from a range of thousands of medicinal herbs

Because it is not the best season to plant Chinese medicinal herbs and it is the first time for many teachers and students to grow plants, Zhang chose six specific herbs from thousands of species that survive well and have notable germination and growth. They are the widely familiar radix isatidis and plantains, as well as the lesser known semen vaccariae, henbane, silybum marianum and rumex patientia.

Reporters learned that Beijing’s program to introduce TCM culture into schools will be constantly revised based on the practice. Next semester, relevant authorities will also discuss the feasibility and specific processes of introducing TCM books and courses into schools.