Dendrobium is the common English name for a plant that is known as Herba dendrobii in its Latin pharmaceutical designation. It is also known as shi hu(石斛). It's a kind of beautiful orchid that is also a highly valued medicinal herb in traditional Chinese medicine. It is known to be helpful to maintaining good health of the stomach, spleen, kidneys and lungs. It is grown mostly in the Yunnan, Sichuan and Guizhou provinces of China.
In traditional Chinese medicine, dendrobium is classified as one of the medicinal herbs that tonify the yin of the body. It nourishes yin, clears heat and generates fluids. It is good for counteracting dehydration, parched mouth, acute thirst and fever.
Dendrobium is highly valued as a healthy herb that enriches kidney yin and reduces heat. According to ancient medical books it is “The Divine Farmer's Herb-Root Classic.” It brightens the eyes, strengthens tendons and bones. It is a good antidote for dull vision, dizziness and lower back weakness and pain associated with kidney and liver deficiency.
Dendrobium was one of the first members of the orchid family to be classified by the ancient Chinese. As an orchid, it has an elegant flower, but beyond its beauty it has powerful medicinal value. Its dried stalk is made into a medicine that is mildly sweet and slightly salty.
In Chinese cuisine, shi hu is often made into dishes. It can aid digestion and stimulate the production of stomach juice. It is added to soups, made into tea and cooked with traditional desserts. It is recommended to be taken daily as tea or soup.
Tie pi shi hu is the most highly valued variety of shi hu. In ancient times it was one of China's nine “magical herbs.” Beginning at the time of the Tang Dynasty (AD 618-907) it was kept exclusively for royal families.
Dendrobium grows at altitudes above 1,600 meters. It grows very slowly. Since the early 1980s, tie pi shi hu has been listed as a protected medicinal plant facing extinction.
In Yunnan province, dendrobium can be purchased fresh and near to its source.
1. Chinese Herbal Medicine Market in Junfa Xinluoshiwan International Trade City （俊发·新螺蛳湾国际商贸城中药材专业市场）
Address: Phase III, Junfa Xinluoshiwan International Trade City, Shanghai Road, Guandu District, Kunming City, Yunnan Province（云南省昆明市官渡区商海路俊发•新螺蛳湾国际商贸城-三期）
Chinese Herbal Medicine Market in Junfa Xinluoshiwan International Trade City is a wholesaler of Chinese herbal medicine, offering a variety of Chinese herbal medicine at better prices than retail drugstores in Kunming.
2. Yixintang chain drugstore（一心堂连锁药店）
Address: No. 121 West Renmin Road, Kunming City, Yunnan Province （云南省昆明市人民西路121号）
Yitang is a branch of Yunnan Hongxiang Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. Founded in 1981, it has developed into a large-scale joint-stock pharmaceutical enterprise group integrating Chinese herbal medicine planting, processing, Chinese and western patent medicine research and development, production, wholesale and retail chain operation as well as medical industry.
3. Jianzhijia Health Drug Store（健之佳 健康药房）
Address: No.319, East Dongfeng Road, Kunming City （昆明市东风东路319号）
Since its establishment, Yunnan Jianzhijia Health Chain Store Co., Ltd. ("Jianzhijia") has engaged primarily in the retail business of health products such as pharmaceuticals, health food, personal care products, home health products, convenience food, daily consumables and other health products, and provided relevant professional services.
From southeast to northwest of Yunnan (Fumin county, Shiping county, Cangyuan county, Mengla county, Menghai county, Simao district , Nujiang Valley, Gongshan county)
