Introduction: The Winter Solstice is approaching, and the annual tradition of winter health supplementation is quietly heating up. As the saying goes, "Replenish in winter, and be strong as a tiger the following year." Winter is the best time of the year for conditioning and nourishment, and among the many methods, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) supplementation is the most popular. The cold winter climate affects the body's physiological functions and appetite. Choosing the right Chinese medicinal herbs for soups can boost immunity and resistance.
The prices of Chinese medicinal herbs soar in sync with the enthusiasm for supplementation
In recent years, as citizens have placed increasing importance on health preservation, various rare and precious Chinese medicinal herbs have become "hot commodities" in the market. Along with the public's enthusiasm for TCM supplementation, the prices of these herbs have also skyrocketed. A monitoring report released by the Chinese Medicine Association's Information Center on Chinese Medicinal Materials shows that after the surges in 1988, 1992, and during the 2003 "SARS" epidemic, Chinese medicinal herbs are now entering their most intense fourth wave of price hikes. The prices of Chinese medicinal herbs have nearly doubled in the past year, jokingly referred to as "the most severe price increase since the founding of the country." Taking the medicinal herb Taizi Ginseng as an example, its price per kilogram has risen from 50 yuan to 500 yuan in a year. In addition, Cordyceps sinensis, donkey-hide gelatin, American ginseng, Panax notoginseng, and cow bezoar are also at the top of the list for price increases.
Exposing the fraud of Chinese medicinal herbs: If it can be faked, it can be done
However, the quality of Chinese medicinal herbs has not risen along with their prices. Consumers often encounter "counterfeit and shoddy" products when purchasing. While losing money is a minor issue, taking the wrong medicine is a major one. The shocking "blood swallow's nest" fraud case in 2011 was a startling incident. In addition, media has repeatedly exposed other cases of herbal fraud, such as American ginseng mixed with carrots, lead powder mixed into Cordyceps, tree gum passed off as propolis, and sweet potatoes processed to "transform" into Fo-ti. The more expensive and valuable the Chinese medicine, the more severe the adulteration and counterfeiting. Besides counterfeiting, passing off inferior goods and shortchanging are also common in the Chinese medicinal herb industry, particularly in herb distribution centers, small and medium-sized processing enterprises, and private purchasing stations.
Experts teach you to identify Chinese medicinal herbs using the "five senses"
Due to the vast variety and diverse forms of Chinese medicinal herbs, and the huge economic interests in the counterfeit market that embolden more and more unscrupulous individuals to "take the risk," the issue of safety in using Chinese medicinal herbs has become prominent, deterring many TCM "fans." Therefore, it is crucial for ordinary consumers to master some basic knowledge for identifying Chinese medicinal herbs. Here, experts introduce a series of simple and practical methods for consumers to refer to when selecting Chinese medicinal ingredients.
Look: "Visual inspection" is the most direct method for identifying the quality of Chinese medicinal herbs. Root herbs are mostly cylindrical or spindle-shaped, while rhizome herbs have more stem scars, and bark herbs are often rolled into tubes. Color is another important factor for identification. By observing the external color of the herbs, we can distinguish their species, origin, and quality. Experts explain that when selecting Cordyceps sinensis, the simplest "look" can be used for identification: First, look at the shape. Cordyceps sinensis consists of two parts, the insect body and the grass body. The genuine insect body is usually 3 to 5 cm long, has 8 pairs of legs (with the middle four pairs being very distinct), and 20-30 rings on its back. Second, look at the color. The broken end of a genuine Cordyceps sinensis is white, and the insect body is yellow or yellowish-brown. The grass part: most "grass heads" are black, slender, with a flat, slightly yellowish cross-section.
Taste: The significance of "tasting" for identifying herbs lies not only in the flavor but also in the "sensation." Taste is divided into five categories: spicy, sweet, sour, bitter, and salty, such as the sourness of hawthorn, the bitterness of coptis, and the sweetness of licorice. Sensations include numbness, astringency, blandness, smoothness, coolness, and greasiness. The sensation of an herb is closely related to its chemical composition. When purchasing cow bezoar, one can first "taste" it. Place a small amount of cow bezoar on the tip of the tongue; a cool sensation should spread from the tongue to the root. The taste is slightly bitter and sweet, with no other fishy or gamey smells. When chewed, it should be like mud without any residue, and saliva may be dyed pale yellow. Counterfeits are often bitter, difficult to chew, and sometimes have a greasy feel.
Smell: The aroma of an herb is related to its chemical components. Smelling is also an important identification method, especially for herbs with a strong aroma, such as the fragrance of mint, the fishy smell of Houttuynia cordata, and the pungent odor of asafoetida.
Touch: The texture, weight, and surface (fine or coarse) of an herb can be perceived by "touch." Even the same herb can vary significantly depending on the processing and preparation methods. When purchasing musk, one can use the "finger squeeze method": Take a small amount of musk powder, place it in the palm, moisten it with water, and press it with a finger. It should feel soft, not sticky or clumpy, and should be elastic after being released, indicating high-quality musk.
Water and Fire Tests
Some herbs produce special phenomena when placed in water or burned. This is closely related to the chemical components within the herb, such as changes in color, foaming, stickiness, slipperiness, swelling, and other phenomena, which are used to determine the authenticity and quality of the Chinese medicinal herb. For example, when the powder of bear bile is placed in water, it will first rotate on the water's surface, then sink as a yellow thread without diffusing. When musk is burned, it produces a rich aroma and leaves a white ash after it is completely burned.