Traditional TCM Preparation Methods
01 · Historical Records
In 1637, the first-generation heir Ye Wenji opened the Yekaitai shop in Dajia Street, Hanzheng Street, Hankou. The name signifies "the Ye family practices medicine and opens a shop, seeking only national peace and popular well-being".
02 · Core Techniques & Process
He practiced medicine at the counter, adopting a "store in front, workshop behind" business model, manufacturing and selling patent medicines. With the craftsmanship spirit of "compounding with devotion, following the ancients while suiting the present; rather lacking than excessive; never allowing a second attempt", a distinctive technique for processing Chinese materia medica was formed. It mainly includes the Longmu Zhuanggu Granules featuring "five-flower dragon bone" (derived from Longgu Muli Decoction, a nationally first-class protected Chinese medicine variety), the Xiaojin Capsules featuring pine-soot fragrant ink (derived from Xiaojin Dan), the Badu Shengji Powder featuring the alchemy of light red powder, and other pill, powder, plaster, and elixir making techniques, as well as preparation techniques such as manual panning of pills and the nine-secret prescription plasters. Yekaitai's traditional method for preparing Chinese medicines excels in the selection of materials and refined processing. The emphasis on materials is shown in the fact that all raw materials needed for Yekaitai's patent medicines are chosen from top-grade goods: first, attention to place of origin — for example, Longgu Muli Decoction must use the "five-flower dragon bone" from Tianshui, Gansu; second, attention to variety. Refined processing is shown in the fact that all medicines made by Yekaitai are strictly processed according to ancient methods, with no compromise: first, the processes are rigorous — for example, Yekaitai's plasters must go through the nine process steps of "selection, roasting, washing, soaking, decocting, filtering, adding honey, refining, and collecting", and in the manual panning of pills every step — starting the seed, enlarging, finishing the surface, drying, and coating — must be perfected to preserve the medicinal properties; second, the implements are refined — for example, the bamboo medicine tray used in manual panning must be repeatedly coated with putty and tung oil, taking three months to make, so that the pills come out smooth and round; third, the intent is sincere — for example, the four-fold aged liquor must have its jar-sealing and jar-opening ceremonies on the winter solstice and the summer solstice each year; to make Taiji Pills, the masses must be assembled, the manager swears an oath, and the ingredients are added in public — all to demonstrate sincerity. Yekaitai's traditional method for preparing Chinese medicines guides production and research with the reliability of its therapeutic effects, the standardization of its development, and the safety of its medication; with products of excellent quality it benefits the people, helps improve public health, and also helps set an industry benchmark and promote the development of Chinese medicine in China.
Archival Record of Process Steps
Refined processing is shown in the fact that all medicines made by Yekaitai are strictly processed according to ancient methods, with no compromise: first, the processes are rigorous — for example, Yekaitai's plasters must go through the nine process steps of "selection, roasting, washing, soaking, decocting, filtering, adding honey, refining, and collecting", and in the manual panning of pills every step — starting the seed, enlarging, finishing the surface, drying, and coating — must be perfected to preserve the medicinal properties; second, the implements are refined — for example, the bamboo medicine tray used in manual panning must be repeatedly coated with putty and tung oil, taking three months to make, so that the pills come out smooth and round; third, the intent is sincere — for example, the four-fold aged liquor must have its jar-sealing and jar-opening ceremonies on the winter solstice and the summer solstice each year; to make Taiji Pills, the masses must be assembled, the manager swears an oath, and the ingredients are added in public — all to demonstrate sincerity.
The nine stages of the plaster formula
The nine stages that make up the Ye Kaitai plaster, each of which must be carried through without compromise.
Bamboo trays finished over three months
Bamboo trays for hand-panning are coated repeatedly with putty and tung oil over three months so that the pills come out smooth and round.
Sealing the four-season brew at the solstices
The four-season brew is sealed and opened at the winter and summer solstices, an observance showing the sincerity of the apothecary.
Tianshui dragon bone and pine-soot ink
Two examples of origin-conscious sourcing: the dragon bone soup uses only Tianshui bone, and the small-gold capsule features pine-soot ink.
03 · Regional Records & Related Items
Yekaitai originated in Dajia Street, Hanzheng Street, Hankou. In 1637, the first-generation heir Ye Wenji opened the Yekaitai shop here, with a store in front and a workshop behind, combining practicing medicine at the counter with manufacturing and selling patent medicines; the medicine market around Hanzheng Street in Hankou was the source of goods on which this lineage stood. Materials were assigned by place of origin, with near and far clearly distinguished: Longgu Muli Decoction must use the five-flower dragon bone from Tianshui, Gansu; pine-soot fragrant ink goes into the Xiaojin Capsules; light red powder is alchemized into the Badu Shengji Powder. Even the implements are judged by their making: the bamboo medicine tray for manual panning must be repeatedly coated with putty and tung oil, taking three months to make, so that the pills come out smooth and round. Transmission now spreads between two production bases in Wuhan and Suizhou and the cultivation bases in Anhui and Shaanxi.
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04 · Cultural Value & Contemporary Safeguarding
Yekaitai's traditional method for preparing Chinese medicines is a series of distinctive pharmaceutical techniques formed by the Yekaitai shop through continuous exploration, practice, and summation in the course of its development; it originated in Wuhan, Hubei, and has been transmitted and developed to the present day. The heritage project has established two production bases in Wuhan and Suizhou, and cultivation bases in Anhui, Shaanxi, and other places, insisting on the use of authentic medicinal materials; through implementing a "master leading apprentice" system and running transmission classes, it trains 40-60 students each year. The remaining production, research, and other technical personnel also play the role of a transmission group for Yekaitai's traditional method for preparing Chinese medicines, enabling it to continue, and to be transmitted, protected, and developed in the new era.
05 · Associated Representative Bearers
Representative bearers recorded under this item, organized by national nomination batch:
- Yan Zhenghua 01-0208
- Zhang Boli 01-0209
- Yang Jukui 03-1442
- Li Yingjie 03-1443
- Liu Huiwu 04-1941
- Laosanshen 04-1942
- Yang Fuan 04-1943
- Xia Xiaozhong 04-1944
- Guo Yufeng 05-2930
- Li Yanyu 05-2931
- Gao Qiang 05-2932
- Ma Weidong 05-2933
- Liu Wenwei 05-2934
- Wang Yanming 05-2936
- Liu Baisheng 05-2937
- Yu Baitang 05-2938
- Liao Zhizhong 05-2939
- Ke Shuquan 05-2940
- Yin Shurong 05-2941
- Zhang Yuankun 05-2942
- Ma Xubin 05-2943
- Ma Xianghai
- Song Shidun
- Wang Feng
- Gu Wanxia
- Du Xinlei
06 · Authoritative Sources & Bibliography
Sources
China Intangible Cultural Heritage Network (ihchina.cn)
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