A farmer digs roots of three-nerved spicebush at a national plantation area in Tiantai county, Zhejiang province on March 1. [Photo by Weng Xinyang/Xinhua]

Tiantai county in East China's Zhejiang province has promoted scientific methods for planting roots of three-nerved spicebush in recent years and has seen a steady growth of the herb industry.

The roots are a traditional Chinese medicinal herb with effects of normalizing the flow of qi (vital energy), relieving pain, warming kidneys and dispelling cold. It is one of the eight herbs that are thriving in Zhejiang.

Based on the abundant resource, Tiantai has paid much attention to the herb's plantation and processing. By the end of 2017, the county had a total planting area of over 2.4 kilometers for roots of three-nerved spicebush, generating an annual output value of 81 million yuan ($12.79 million).