What Are the Precious Medicinal Herbs? An Introduction to Common Varieties and Their Characteristics

Precious medicinal herbs usually refer to Chinese medicinal materials that are scarce in resources, have a long growth cycle, are difficult to harvest and process, and have a long history of use and high value in traditional Chinese medicine. Most of these herbs have limited yields; some depend on wild resources, and some are very costly to cultivate or raise, so their market prices are generally noticeably higher than those of ordinary medicinal herbs.

Among the common precious medicinal herbs, the plant and fungus types include ginseng, reishi mushroom (Ganoderma lucidum), Dendrobium officinale, Gastrodia elata, Panax notoginseng, saffron (Crocus sativus), and Chinese cordyceps (Ophiocordyceps sinensis), while those of animal origin include deer antler velvet, cow bezoar, musk, and donkey-hide gelatin (Ejiao) made by simmering donkey hide. Among them, ginseng, deer antler velvet, Ejiao, and Chinese cordyceps are especially well known to the general public and are often regarded as representatives of classic tonic medicinal herbs.

In terms of application value, traditional Chinese medicine holds that such herbs are mostly used to nourish the body and support vital qi; for example, ginseng is known for tonifying qi, Ejiao is often used to nourish blood, and Dendrobium officinale and Gastrodia elata each have their own traditional uses. It should be noted that being precious does not mean it suits everyone; the use of medicine emphasizes syndrome differentiation, so before taking tonics it is best to first understand your own constitution and, if necessary, consult a doctor or pharmacist.

Because of high prices and strong market demand, cases of adulteration and passing off inferior goods as superior ones occur from time to time with precious medicinal herbs. When purchasing, pay attention to appearance, smell, and texture, try to buy through proper channels, and ask for receipts. For daily storage, also pay attention to moisture-proofing, insect-proofing, and avoiding light, so as to prevent mold and insect damage from affecting quality.