Saussurea medusa (Asteraceae) is known to Tibetan herb collectors as Ganglha Metok (gangs lha me tog), meaning glacier or snow deity flower. It is an important medicinal in Rigpa Sowa (Tibetan Medicine) and Traditional Chinese Medicine. In TCM it is known as "xue lian", meaning snow lotus.
Saussurea medusa (Asteraceae) is known to Tibetan herb collectors as Ganglha Metok [gangs lha me tog], meaning glacier or snow deity flower. It is an important medicinal in Rigpa Sowa (Tibetan Medicine) andTraditional Chinese Medicine. In TCM it is known as "xue lian", meaning snow lotus. It grows way high up in the mountains, up to 5200m, and overcollection is of great concern.
© Daniel Winkler, August 2, 2007, 4100m, Litang County, Ganzi TAP, W-Sichuan.