Ertianyou, a traditional Chinese medicinal oil made by Guangzhou Baiyunshan Xingqun Pharmaceutical in Haizhu district, was selected as a Guangdong intangible cultural heritage (ICH) item on June 11.

The Lingnan region (Guangdong and the nearby provinces in southeastern China) has a subtropical monsoon climate, with high temperatures throughout the year and abundant rainfall. The warm and humid environment makes people vulnerable to infectious diseases, plagues, and other diseases. In order to adapt to the environment, Lingnan people use Chinese herbal medicine to make medicated oil.

The key to the preparation of ertianyou is the refining of the black oil. The ertianyou prepared by adding the black oil is transparent and red under a light. The refining of black oil has strict standards for the selection of raw materials, feeding time, and configuration procedures, with each refining time having to be done in less than one month's time. The proportion of its black oil components, peppermint oil, and other components, coupled with the unique production process, makes the ertianyou bright in color, slow in volatilization, as well as lasting in efficacy.

This medicated oil can be refreshing in fighting colds, motion sickness, heat stroke, and other illnesses.

In 2009, the secret formula of ertianyou was designated a cultural heritage of Lingnan traditional Chinese medicine in Guangdong. In 2019, ertianyou was selected as the seventh batch of representative projects of municipal ICH items in Guangzhou.

Ertianyou, a traditional Chinese medicinal oil. [Photo/WeChat account: gzhzfb]