Why is the north more suitable for wormwood and processing wormwood?

Artemisia argyi is distributed all over China, but most of the factories that process moxa sticks are concentrated in Henan and Hubei, and there are few factories that process moxa sticks in the north. The main reason is the resource problem of wormwood. There are good wormwood resources in Nanyang, Henan Province and neighboring Hubei Province (we will call it the southern region for the time being), and the wild wormwood all over the mountains has promoted the germination and development of local wormwood processing. Most of them are located in mountainous areas, and their cultivated land is not suitable for planting crops, but it is suitable for artificial planting of wormwood. At the same time, the warm climate and abundant rainwater resources also provide good natural conditions for the growth and multi-season harvest of wormwood. Although the quality of wormwood in the northern area (Hebei side) is good, there is little rain, dry climate and cold weather. Compared with the southern region, the development of wormwood planting has higher cultivation cost, lower yield and less income.

Although the southern region is very suitable for the planting and growth of wormwood, if wormwood is used for moxibustion, it will take more than three years in Chenfang (wormwood processing takes more than three years in Chenfang, and in fact, there are very few people who can really make Chenfang at present). However, it is not suitable for the long-term storage and processing of wormwood, because the humid weather is not conducive to the storage of wormwood. After three years of storage, wormwood needs a dry and ventilated storage environment, which is difficult to achieve in southern China. "General Theory of Moxibustion" records: "Although Chen Jiu is a good man, if he chews for three years, be careful not to use it." That is to say, although everyone knows that wormwood in Chen Jiu is good, if it is more than three years later, the entrance is smelly, tasteless or has gone bad, it can't be used.

Therefore, Chen Fang's good environment is a prerequisite for making moxa.

At the same time, compared with the southern region, the northern region not only has a dry climate, but also has four distinct seasons. In this environment, Artemisia argyi leaves naturally age and are not easy to get moldy.

In addition, the processing link is particularly important. The processing of wormwood must be carried out under dry conditions, and the moisture of wormwood should be strictly controlled. The ancient book records that "dampness has no effect". Neighboring Japan will choose the dry season in winter when processing moxa. Therefore, in terms of processing conditions, the northern region is better.

It is precisely because of these factors that Shimu wormwood Cultural Park, after many considerations, chose Hengshui, Hebei Province with better climatic conditions for the storage and processing of wormwood. Self-built standard wormwood storage warehouse, independent research and development of wormwood storage special storage rack, to ensure that wormwood is dry, ventilated and does not deteriorate in three years' long-term storage, so as to get better aging.