Ailiao-VITEX185
Northbound from the foot of Dawu Mountain, Fangliao, County Highway 185 will merge with County Highway 187 and this is where you will find Ailiao-Vitex 185. “Ai” refers to a place that is strategic and difficult to access while “ailiao” refers to housing built for personnel stationed at a strategic pass. Although there is an “Ailiao Eatery” in the community, it is just a homophone of the name “Ailiao” and actually means “love to chat”.
Introduction
Ailiao-Vitex 185 is located on the left bank of Ailiao River, and is thriving with Taiwan’s native shrub – vitex negundo
When “outsider” Pan Yu-yen, chairperson of Ailiao Community, married an Ailiao native, she was surprised to discover vitex negundo during a general survey of community resources. Vitex negundo was deemed to have no monetary value by the elderly in the community but is in fact an essential daily necessity in the community and a lifesaving medicine in ancient times.
Madam Pan then started to build the “Vitex 185” brand, making it the focus of tourism industry in Ailiao Community. Her aspiration is to combine tourism, environmental protection, ecosystem, water and soil conservation, cultural heritage, and education, and capitalize on the diverse potential of vitex negundo.
Emitting unique and refreshing fragrance, the bluish-purple flowers of vitex negundo are an insect repellent. The older generation often bundle cuttings of the shrub and burn them to repel mosquitoes.
Always ready to share all her knowledge of vitex negundo, Madam Pan can be seen excitedly telling visitors everything she knows about the plant.
She had conducted in-depth interviews with many elderly locals to record oral history of the usage of vitex negundo. Seeds of vitex negundo can be used as a painkiller, its root can repel insects, its bark can be used to make paper, and its flowers, stems and leaves can be used to extract essential oil. Positioned as local, natural and handmade, Madam Pan aims to grow Vitex 185 into a large eco-friendly brand.
Features of Agricultural Tourism
Herbs
Ailiao-Vitex 185 is located at the passageway to Majia Township and Sandimen Township, where a diverse mix of people resides, including Minnan, Hakka, Mainlander, indigenous (Pingpu, Paiwan and Rukai) and new immigrants.
Vitex negundo was originally a cultural plant of the Pingpu people, and is used for obstacle-removal, cleansing and purification. In collaboration with National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Ailiao community has successfully improved on the extraction of vitex negundo, using machines for extraction, hot maceration, grinding, crushing, ashing, hand pounding and water distillation, making vitex negundo a strong local brand.
Besides vitex negundo specialty products, such as vitex negundo egg, body wash, shampoo, body lotion, hair conditioner, honey, handmade soap, soothing balm and incense, there are also DIY experiences, such as making incense, soothing balm and bag, providing a hands-on approach for visitors to learn about the plant. In view of greater understanding and demand for vitex negundo, Ailiao community has even established a vitex negundo restoration area along County Highway 185, planting a wide area of vitex negundo and other related plants, making it an important part of the tour experience and agrifood education.
Learn about how Ailiao community is capitalizing on the economic potential of vitex negundo! Visit Ailiao community and enjoy a fun-filled agrifood educational tour!
