A detailed introduction to the identification methods for 7 medicinal herbs

We all know that traditional Chinese medicine can help treat diseases, but most people may not be very familiar with the selection and purchase of the medicinal herbs used in traditional Chinese medicine, so what are some better methods to distinguish the authenticity of medicinal herbs?

Sterculia lychnophora (boat sterculia seed)

When put into hot water, it expands into a sponge-like form, reaching up to 8 times its original volume. The seeds of the counterfeit Sterculia rotundifolia expand more slowly in water, reaching only 2 times their original volume.

Safflower

After soaking in water, the water turns golden yellow, and the flower does not fade.

Sappan wood

When fragments are put into hot water, the water is dyed red. The counterfeit is wood that has been dyed, and when soaked in hot water the water appears light yellow, yellow, or orange-yellow.

Stellaria dichotoma (silver chaihu)

The water-soaked liquid of the genuine product shows no foam reaction. The water-soaked liquid of the counterfeit Stellaria dichotoma shows a strong foam reaction.

Cow bezoar

When put into clear water, it can absorb water and become moist but does not deform, does not dissolve, does not lose color, and does not become cloudy. Add a little clear water to blend it, apply it to a fingernail, and it can dye the fingernail yellow, commonly known as "gua jia" (hanging on the nail). Counterfeits are mostly forged with powders such as Coptis chinensis, Rheum officinale, Curcuma longa, egg yolk, or potato plus plant pigments, and when put into water they quickly dissolve, break apart, and become cloudy.

Toad venom

The surface or cut surface of the genuine product, when touched with water, quickly exudes a milky white liquid substance and swells up. Adulterated products also exude a milky white liquid substance when touched with water, but the liquid substance exudes slowly and does not swell up.

Ejiao (donkey-hide gelatin)

Place Ejiao in boiling water to dissolve; the solution is brownish red, relatively clear, with no precipitate at the bottom, clear and not cloudy. The water solution of counterfeit mixed-skin glue is brownish brown, with large flakes of gelatinous filaments and black residue settling at the bottom. The water solution of the substitute new Ejiao is brownish brown, with black residue and flocculent matter at the bottom, often with precipitate, cloudy and not transparent, and with fatty oil on the surface.