Chinese Medicinal Herb Garden (CMHG) 百草園

The CMHG project is a collaboration between InterGrowth Foundation and Pfeiffer Garden in Chestnut Ridge, focusing on growing Chinese medicinal herbs. This initiative offers the public hands-on experience in medicinal plant cultivation, educating them about the therapeutic uses and benefits of these plants. The project aims to connect people with nature, promote an understanding of traditional Chinese medicine, and emphasize sustainable agricultural practices.

My story

My name is Qihui Jin. Growing up in Shanghai, a bustling modern city in China, I initially saw farming as outdated and irrelevant. I associated it with dirt and believed it was mainly done by older, less educated individuals.

However, my perspective changed dramatically when I moved to the United States to study Chinese medicine. This shift was sparked by personal experiences like my daughter Suyuan's homebirth and the global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. These events made me rethink the connection between the environment and human health.

To deepen my understanding, I took a composting course and joined a farm apprenticeship program at Soil Start Farm with Earth Matter NY while studying Chinese medicine. This hands-on experience introduced me to the beauty of cultivating Chinese herbs, such as watching shiso and sesame grow from tiny seeds to towering 8-foot-tall plants. Harvesting and preserving the luffa plant, known as Si Gua Luo (Fructus Luffae Retinervus) in Chinese medicine, further deepened my appreciation for medicinal plants.

After graduating from the Pacific College of Health and Science, I established my clinical practice in Chinese medicine and founded the InterGrowth Foundation. This organization aims to promote ancient health practices and sustainable living. Farming Chinese medicinal herbs quickly became a key part of our mission, valued for its ecological sustainability and economic viability. It also provided a unique opportunity to explore the philosophical aspects of Chinese medicine through direct engagement with medicinal plants.

In the year 2024, we are excited to announce our partnership with the Threefold Community Farm. We've secured the rental of two beds to grow a variety of Chinese herbs.