Gu Wanxia (Right) talks to a worker. [Photo/Nantong Daily]

Gu Wanxia, born in 1964 in Nantong, is a national-level practitioner of the intangible cultural heritage of Wang Family's Baochi pill making technique.

The medicine is used to treat gastrointestinal diseases including weakness of the spleen and the stomach, dyspepsia, diarrhea, and constipation and is suitable for children, the aged, and pregnant women.

The Wang Family's Baochi pill is celebrated as the "finest pill in China", with 60 pills weighing only 0.15 grams. Distinguished within the realm of traditional Chinese medicine, this esteemed pill owes its reputation to an unwavering commitment to manual production. Every step, from ingredient handling to grinding and mixing is meticulously carried out through manual operations, underscoring its exceptional quality in the world of traditional Chinese medicine.

Gu, the 12th-generation inheritor who commenced learning the art of crafting these pills at the age of 18, received instruction in this intangible skill from her mentor, Shi Youzhai. As Shi's disciple, Gu cherishes her master's profound teachings, understanding that for a heritage medicine with centuries of history, there is no room for error in the production process.

Wang Family's Baochi pills. [Photo/Nantong Daily]

In 2002, the production environment shifted from a traditional open setting to a fully enclosed production facility with stringent control over temperature and humidity, aligning with pharmaceutical GMP requirements.

The traditional bamboo trays and sieves were all replaced with stainless steel materials. Faced with immense challenges, Gu delved into research on how to uphold traditional skills while incorporating new equipment. Through persistent efforts and numerous trials, she and her team eventually mastered the appropriate techniques and strength to produce Wang's Baochi pills of even higher quality in the updated environment.

The continued use of the ancient pan-pill pot and the adherence to manual production have ensured the preservation of this traditional medicine, allowing it to continue to shine. In recognition of her remarkable accomplishments, Gu was honored among the "Sixth Batch of National Representative Practitioners of Intangible Cultural Heritage" in 2024.