In Quang Ngai Province formerly Kon Tum, particularly in the Ngoc Linh mountain area, codonopsis is a familiar medicinal plant to local communities. Codonopsis has long been present in daily life, closely connected to forests, upland fields, and traditional herbal practices of the Sedang ethnic people. In this project, MLifeOn has the opportunity to accompany Toong Tang Xanh Cooperative, directly exploring codonopsis, including cultivation methods, harvesting practices, and the role this medicinal plant plays in local livelihoods.

Ngoc Linh Codonopsis from the mountain forests

Codonopsis, locally known as “sâm dây” and often referred to as Ngọc Linh codonopsis, is a climbing plant whose root develops into a tuber. The plant grows well at medium to high elevations, where the climate is cool and the soil is loose and rich in humus.

In the Ngoc Linh mountain area, codonopsis grows naturally or is cultivated by local people in their fields and along forest edges. The soil conditions and cool climate of the highland region create a suitable environment for the plant to grow steadily across seasons. This is also why codonopsis from this area is often valued for its quality and the presence of active compounds, including saponin, a component frequently mentioned in herbal research materials.

Wild codonopsis root, a natural essence of health from the mountain forests.

In everyday life, codonopsis is used by local people in various ways, such as boiling it for drinking water, cooking it in soups, soaking it in alcohol, or drying it for later use. These simple methods fit well with the daily rhythm and living conditions of mountain communities.

The Sedang community and codonopsis cultivation

For the Sedang people, codonopsis is not cultivated as a large scale crop aimed at maximizing production. The cultivation and harvesting of the plant rely largely on experience in observing nature, understanding the plant’s growth cycle, and adapting to the soil conditions of each field across different seasons.

Local people usually cultivate codonopsis in their fields or along forest edges, where the soil is loose and the moisture level is suitable for the plant to grow. During harvest, smaller roots are often kept aside and used as planting material for the next season. In addition, when codonopsis seeds ripen and dry, they fall to the ground. With the arrival of the first seasonal rains, these seeds can germinate naturally. In particular, in fields where vegetation has been cleared by burning, the germination rate of the seeds is often higher, allowing the plants to continue growing in the following seasons.

The lives of the Sedang people are closely connected with forests and upland fields. For this reason, codonopsis cultivation follows the familiar rhythm of local farming practices and becomes part of everyday livelihood and daily life.

The codonopsis plant carries economic value while also reflecting local knowledge and the way communities care for their natural environment. 

MLifeOn collaborates with Toong Xang Xanh Cooperative toward sustainable development

Toong Xang Xanh Cooperative was established with the goal of supporting local communities in developing indigenous herbal products, including Ngoc Linh codonopsis. The cooperative plays a role in organizing raw material areas, guiding farmers through initial processing steps, and connecting these products to the market with transparent information about their origin.

Beyond economic value, Toong Xang Xanh also focuses on preserving local knowledge, ensuring that the Sedang people remain central to the process of cultivating, caring for, and harvesting codonopsis. This approach helps link production activities with forest protection and the long term maintenance of the ecosystem.

In this project, M&M Communications and MLifeOn worked alongside Toong Xang Xanh Cooperative to document, compile, and share information about Ngoc Linh codonopsis in a clear and accessible way. The focus of this collaboration is to tell the story of the growing region, the people involved, and the journey toward sustainable development, rather than focusing only on the final product.

Practical experience at the codonopsis growing area

During our time in Kon Tum, we had the opportunity to follow local farmers to their codonopsis fields and directly observe the process from plant care and harvesting to the initial stages of processing. Most of the steps are carried out manually and depend greatly on weather conditions, seasonal cycles, and the experience of the growers.

Digging up the roots, cleaning the soil, sorting, and drying them all require careful handling to avoid affecting the quality of the tubers. Through these on site experiences, it becomes clear that developing codonopsis is not only about production volume, but also about maintaining a balance between cultivation practices, local livelihoods, and the natural environment of the mountain region.

Conclusion

Codonopsis in the Ngoc Linh mountain area is an indigenous medicinal plant closely connected to the forests and the daily life of the Sedang community. Through the connection of Toong Xang Xanh Cooperative and the collaborative project between MLifeOn and M&M Communications, the journey of codonopsis can be documented more clearly, from the growing areas and the people involved to its orientation toward sustainable development.

This is not only a story about a medicinal plant, but also about how people choose to preserve values that have long been connected with the mountain forests.

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CREDIT: 

• Photography: Luan Nguyen, Tran Le Minh Quan 
• Content: Vy Vy
• Design: Phuong Nguyen
• Special thanks to Toong Xang Xanh Cooperative and the Sedang community for their support and collaboration throughout the project.