Research on the function of “medicine and food homology” of daylily (Hemerocallis L.) and its high quality industrial development

The traditional Chinese medicine classic records that daylily (Hemerocallis L.) has the health benefits of harmonizing the five internal organs, eliminating damp-heat, treating alcohol-induced dampness and jaundice, making the body more lightweight and the eyes brighter. Thus, Hemerocallis citrina Baroni has a long history of being both a medicinal herb and a food source. Modern pharmacological research has indicated that daylily has beneficial effects such as calming and soothing the nerves, antidepressant properties, neuroprotective effects, and antioxidative properties. However, the current daylily industry faces challenges of a short industrial chain and low added value. In response to the development demands outlined in the "Healthy China 2030 Blueprint", it is proposed to accelerate the innovative research and development of functional foods derived from daylily. This approach, guided by the traditional Chinese medicine culture associated with daylily, aims to promote the high value-added development of the daylily industry chain. Meanwhile, efforts are being made to construct a comprehensive development system for the modernization of the daylily industry that integrates "centralization, modernization, ecological sustainability, high added value, and imagery building" to promote the high-quality development of the entire industrial chain of daylily, making it a beautiful and healthy flower with multiple functional values representing health, technology, culture, and aesthetics.