(Baonghean.vn) - Tap Quai is the name given by the Thai people to the golden flower tea plant, a medicinal plant that brings incredibly high economic value, fetching over 3 million VND per kilogram. In Nghe An, this rare plant is found abundantly in Dong Van and Thong Thu communes in Que Phong district.
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| The golden camellia plant typically grows to a height of 3-5 meters, often hidden in the shade of other trees. Since ancient times, the indigenous Thai people have discovered its superior medicinal properties and applied them to improve health, treat certain blood sugar and digestive disorders, and as an effective antiseptic for wounds and ulcers. Eating a few golden camellia flowers daily, or drinking tea infused with them, helps the body avoid fatigue, improve appetite, and promote restful sleep. |
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| The flowering period of the golden camellia is from early autumn to late spring, which is when the weather is at its best, with ideal humidity for the plant to thrive. |
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| On average, one kilogram of fresh flowers costs 450,000 VND, and if people painstakingly dry and preserve them, the price can reach 3 million VND per kilogram. There have even been times when traders were willing to pay up to 4 million VND for one kilogram of these dried flowers. |
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| These flower buds will bloom after 2 to 3 days, spreading a delicate fragrance. |
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| Previously, if you ventured 7 to 10 km deep into the forests of Dong Van and Thong Thu communes, you could find golden camellia tea plants. However, in recent years, traders have been buying up and collecting a lot of wild flowers, so when the plants bloom, people flock to the forest to harvest them. They even cut down entire trees to get the flowers. As a result, the number of golden camellia tea plants has dwindled, with only a few dozen remaining, and they are at risk of being completely wiped out. |
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| Besides the flowers, the leaves of the golden flower tea plant are also popular among locals when brewed into a tea or even crushed and mixed with water. When drunk, it has a more fragrant and delicious taste than regular tea and is good for digestion. The wood from the trunk can be used to make household items and handicrafts. The seeds can be pressed to extract oil... |
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| To preserve and develop this rare plant species, the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee signed Decision No. 5529/QD-UBND approving the "Framework Plan for Genetic Resource Conservation Tasks in Nghe An Province giai đoạn 2013 - 2020", which prioritizes the conservation and propagation of valuable medicinal plants, including the golden flower tea plant. Along with this, Que Phong district has included research, statistics, development, and propagation of this plant in the orientation of the Party Committee's Resolution for the 2015-2020 term, with the goal of creating a strong and effective impact on poverty reduction and economic development for the people. |
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| Currently, Que Phong district is conducting a trial planting of 1 hectare in Thong Thu commune. Golden camellia can be propagated by leaf cuttings, but the time from rooting to new shoots is longer. Cuttings are the most common method. The time from cutting to flowering is approximately 13 months. Hopefully, with the dedication and strong involvement of the Party committee and government, in the coming time, these medicinal plant areas will bring prosperity to the lives of the ethnic minority people in the mountainous border district of Que Phong. |
NPV
