Scientists at the Tropical Forestry Center, in collaboration with several research units, have successfully developed a production process for seeds and medicinal materials from three species of yellow flower tea in Lam Dong.
This achievement is part of a national scientific mission under the program for the conservation and sustainable use of genetic resources, aimed for completion by 2025 and with a vision towards 2030, led by the Ministry of Science and Technology.
Dr. Tran Hong Son from the Tropical Forestry Center of the Central and Central Highlands Forestry Science Institute has been tasked with overseeing the experimental production of seeds and the cultivation of medicinal materials from three species of yellow flower tea: Camellia dalatensis, Camellia dormoyana and Camellia thuongiana in Lam Dong.
Yellow Flower Tea. (Photo: Van Anh).
Conducted from late 2018 to May 2024, scientists have perfected the processes for seed propagation, cultivation techniques, care, harvesting, preliminary processing, and preservation of yellow flower tea medicinal materials. The project also established basic standards for the varieties and medicinal materials of these three types of tea, creating a parent garden of 1,000m2 per species and a propagation garden of 2,000m2 per species.
The research team has also developed a concentrated model for the three species of yellow flower tea according to GACP-WHO standards, subsequently transferring high-yield intensive cultivation techniques in Lam Dong. The results of the research and variety trials may be scaled up for broader application, assisting in the selection of new varieties in other ecological regions. The outcomes of this mission are expected to be evaluated and accepted in June.
According to traditional Chinese medicine, yellow flower tea is a medicinal material with a neutral nature, sweet taste, and fragrant aroma. The compounds found in yellow flower tea are believed to assist in the treatment of malignant tumors, reduce cholesterol, alleviate cardiovascular diseases, stabilize blood pressure, reduce the risk of stroke, and help detoxify the liver and treat liver diseases.
Research around the world has also indicated that yellow flower tea contains up to 33.8% active compounds that inhibit and reduce the growth of cancer cells, and includes several trace elements such as Se, Ge, Mo, Mn, V, Zn, and amino acids.
