The “Golden Snakes” Discovered by an Old Farmer Were Once on the Brink of Extinction. Currently, the probability of finding them in the wild is very low.
The Old Farmer Unearthed 7 “Golden Snakes”
Every day, Mr. Wang in Shaanxi Province, China, goes into the mountains to dig for bamboo shoots. This diligent farmer understands that his family’s main income depends on the number of shoots he can gather. However, this time, while he was digging, something unusual happened.
Mr. Wang accidentally discovered 7 stalks resembling “golden snakes.” (Photo: Sohu)
It was Mr. Wang who noticed something yellow beneath the ground, immediately attracting his attention. He dug deeper, and the strange object became more apparent, revealing 7 long bodies. At first glance, these appeared quite similar to golden snakes, startling Mr. Wang. After observing closely and realizing they were not moving, he bravely continued to dig. After some time, he finally pulled the object out of the ground. They turned out to be 7 yellow stalks of varying sizes.
Mr. Wang found these stalks very peculiar; he had never seen them before and did not understand how they had grown underground. He decided to take them home and called several neighbors over to examine them. The crowd grew larger, with everyone curious about the “golden snakes.”
Upon seeing the “golden snakes,” the experts immediately requested to secure the site. (Photo: Sohu).
Everyone offered their opinions, but no one had an accurate answer. They advised the farmer to bring these specimens to the city for expert consultation. Unexpectedly, a botany professor, upon seeing Mr. Wang’s “golden snakes,” immediately notified local authorities to secure the discovery site. It turned out that these “golden snakes” were a rare medicinal herb known as Cistanche. This highly valuable herb is considered even harder to find than gold due to its rarity. The expert mentioned that Mr. Wang was exceptionally lucky to have unearthed these Cistanche plants.
So, what is special about the Cistanche that the old farmer discovered?
The Lucky Farmer
The Cistanche found by Mr. Wang is scientifically classified as Cistanche deserticola, belonging to the Orobanchaceae family. In the ancient text “Shennong Bencao“, Cistanche is classified as a superior grade herb.
The Cistanche discovered by the farmer is an incredibly rare herb. (Photo: Sohu).
Cistanche is not an ordinary plant but a parasitic species, relying on other plants for survival. In spring, the Cistanche sprouts through the ground, rising above, resembling a club with a pointed end. Thus, in many rural areas, it is also referred to as “club plant.” The exterior of the Cistanche is covered with a layer of yellow leaves, which shimmer in sunlight. This leaf layer helps the plant retain moisture and withstand harsh climatic conditions.
The Cistanche typically grows to about 15-30 cm, sometimes even reaching up to a meter. It flowers densely in May and June, with blossoms emerging from the top, pale yellow, bell-shaped, and five-petaled. After blooming, the petals turn green or pale purple. By June and July, the plant bears small, gray fruits. Cistanche is commonly found in Mongolia, Shaanxi, Gansu, and Xinjiang.
Cistanche is a unique parasitic plant with a distinctive appearance. (Photo: Sohu).
In traditional medicine, Cistanche is harvested in the spring and autumn, especially from March to May. If harvested outside these periods, its quality significantly diminishes. Cistanche harvested in spring and dried in sandy soil is called Dian Dai Yun. When harvested in autumn and placed in salt, then dried after a year, it is referred to as Yin Dai Yun. If soaked in liquor, sealed, and then steamed to absorb the liquor before drying, it is known as Jiu Thung Dung. Only the stalks and roots are used as medicinal parts.
The book “Changbai Mountain Medicinal Plant Investigation” records that Cistanche has properties that nourish yin and yang, stop bleeding, and treat bladder inflammation and kidney bleeding. According to “Jilin Traditional Herbs“, it is used to treat kidney deficiency, impotence, back and knee pain, bladder inflammation, and constipation.
Cistanche can treat various diseases and is classified as a superior-grade herb. (Photo: Sohu).
In modern medicine, Cistanche contains a rich array of chemical components such as Boschnaloside, orobanin, 8-epilogahic acid, betaine, and more. The plant also contains various organic acids and over 10 amino acids. According to research by experts, Cistanche acts as a drug that inhibits the aging process, prolongs life, enhances physical strength, boosts the immune system, and helps lower blood pressure. Additionally, it functions as a sex hormone, stimulating and regulating adrenal gland activity, counteracting its functional decline.
The botany expert further informed Mr. Wang that Cistanche was once a wild plant. After its benefits became known, the demand for Cistanche led to rampant digging for sale, nearly driving it to extinction. Consequently, wild Cistanche is now extremely rare. The expert also mentioned that the Cistanche discovered by the farmer could fetch a price in the billions due to its extraordinary value.
