嵩縣盛產柴胡歷史悠久，又因嵩縣各地均產柴胡，屬當地的一大特產，故又稱為“嵩胡”。嵩縣產柴胡根粗氣濃，有效成分“總皂甙”含量高于其他產地同類產品。

    從元、明至今，全國各地藥商紛至沓來，收購嵩縣柴胡，有些向外出口，使其在國內外享有一定盛譽。嵩縣柴胡耐寒耐旱，適宜在６００－８００米海拔高度淺山區較干燥的山坡、林緣、林中隙地、草叢及溝旁生長，比較理想的土壤為壤土、沙質壤土或腐殖土。

    嵩縣地處丘陵山區，氣候暖和，適宜多種藥材生長。據有關部門在嵩縣進行藥材資源普查表明，該地藥材種類達１１６２種，已進入市場的就有３６４種。

    為開發利用當地藥材資源，１９８０年嵩縣野生柴胡列入科研項目，對其特性、育苗、播種、管理、采收、加工進行了一系列研究。至１９８３年試種成功起，先后獲河南省科技成果三等獎，洛陽市科技成果一等獎。目前，嵩縣柴胡面積已發展到３９００多畝，年產量達１０００噸以上。

 

Songxian Radix Bupleuri

    Songxian radix bupleuri has a long history, which is named after its major producing area Songxian County. Songxian is located in hill areas where moderate climate is appropriate for medical materials' growing. After Yuan and Ming Dynasty, there are many medical merchants come here to buy them, some are even exported to foreign countries so that it earns a good reputation in the world.
      
    Radix bupleuri produced in Songxian has thick roots and fragrant smell whose content of saponin is higher than similar products in other producing areas. Songxian radix bupleuri are cold-resisted and drought-endured which always grows on dry slopes or alongside forest, grasslands or ditches on 600 to 800m mountains where has ideal sandy soil or humus.