Chinese Fairy Grass-Qiai

Qiai, a specialty of Qichun County, Hubei Province, China, is a national geographical indication product.

In December 2010, the former General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine approved the implementation of geographical indication product protection for “Qiai”. 

In October 2024, “Qiai” was selected into the “the Belt and Road” geographical indication brand promotion list.

The plant of Qiai is tall, with a height of 150-250 centimeters and a strong aroma; The leaves are thick and papery, with dense and thick hairs. The middle leaves are slightly lobed, while the upper leaves are usually not divided. They are elliptical or elongated, with a maximum length of 7-8 centimeters and a width of 1.5 centimeters. The leaves are often kneaded into a cotton like state; Used as medicine, it has a warm, bitter, pungent, and slightly sweet nature. The volatile oil of Artemisia argyi contains acetate ester, 1,8-eucalyptol, camphene hydrate, camphor, borneol, etc., as well as thujone. Pharmacological analysis shows that volatile oils have inhibitory effects on various molds, cocci, and bacilli, as well as anti asthmatic and anti cough effects.

The whole herb of Qiai is used as medicine, which has the effects of warming meridians, removing dampness, dispelling cold, stopping bleeding, reducing inflammation, relieving asthma, stopping cough, preventing miscarriage, and anti allergy. According to medical records throughout history, it is known as the “essential medicine for stopping bleeding” and is also one of the commonly used gynecological medicines. It is particularly effective in treating gynecological diseases caused by deficiency cold, as well as chronic bronchitis and asthma in the elderly. When boiling water and bathing, it can prevent and treat maternal and infant infections during the postpartum period, or use pharmaceutical pillows and vests to prevent and treat chronic bronchitis, asthma, and deficiency cold stomach pain in the elderly; Dried and crushed mugwort leaves are used to make mugwort sticks for moxibustion and as raw materials for printing ink. In addition, the whole plant can be used as a pesticide for insecticidal purposes or as a room disinfectant or insecticide through fumigation. Young shoots and seedlings are used as vegetables.

Qiyi is produced in Qichun County, Hubei Province. Qichun County has a narrow terrain resembling a sail, with a complex topography that is high in the north and low in the south. The northern part is mountainous, the central part is hilly, and the southern part is the Pingfan enclosure area. The highest point within the territory is the main peak of Yundan Mountain in Qingshi Town, with an elevation of 1244.1 meters; The lowest point is Longfengsi Sluice within the jurisdiction of Bali Lake Farm, with an altitude of 12 meters. Qichun belongs to the subtropical continental monsoon climate, with distinct four seasons, abundant rainfall, mild climate, an average frost free period of 249.1 days per year, precipitation of 1341.7 millimeters, sunshine hours of 2025.8 hours, and temperature of 16.8 degrees. It is suitable for planting Artemisia argyi.

Li Shizhen wrote in the “Compendium of Materia Medica”: “Since the formation of Artemisia argyi leaves, those from Qizhou have been regarded as the winners, and the use of filling materials has been highly valued in the world, which is called Artemisia argyi
In 2012, Qichun County began large-scale cultivation of Artemisia argyi.

In December 2010, the former General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine approved the implementation of geographical indication product protection for “Qiai”.

On February 26, 2020, Qiyi, Qichun County, Hubei Province, was recognized as the third batch of advantageous areas for Chinese characteristic agricultural products.

In October 2024, “Qiai” was selected into the “the Belt and Road” geographical indication brand promotion list.