Winter is the perfect time for tonic supplements, but the quality of Chinese medicinal herbs directly impacts their efficacy. Choosing safe and reliable herbs is crucial. Dr. You Wen-Lin, a pediatric internal medicine specialist at Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, advises selecting herbs with clear labeling from trustworthy sources, purchased through reputable pharmacies. He provides guidelines for identifying common herbs to help the public choose suitable medicinal ingredients.
Guide to Common Chinese Medicinal Herbs
- Angelica sinensis (Danggui): Good integrity, yellowish-white surface with brown rings and oil spots, fragrant and non-greasy.
- Chuanxiong: Butterfly-shaped cross-section, light yellow with brown spots, dark brown edges, with a numbing sensation and unique aroma.
- Astragalus (Huangqi): Beiqi has light brown-yellow skin with a bean aroma, while Jinqi is reddish-brown and slightly oily. Avoid overly dry varieties.
- Red Date (Dazao): Dark red or purplish skin, soft and sugary flesh with a moist surface. Old, blackened skin indicates poor quality.
- Rehmannia (Shudi): Gray-black or gray-brown surface with horizontal wrinkles, moderately sticky texture, and no sour odor.
When selecting astragalus, ensure that the texture is not overly dry or brittle. (Photo/Provided by Heho Health)
Tips for Choosing Tonic Supplements
- Ginseng:
- Korean Ginseng: Cross-section is reddish-brown, with more growth rings indicating better quality.
- White Ginseng: Yellowish-white cross-section with brownish-yellow rings, mildly fragrant, with a sweet and bitter taste.
- Codonopsis (Dangshen): Yellow-brown surface, firm texture, and slightly sweet aroma.
- Goji Berries (Gouqi): Long oval shape, bright red to dark red, soft and sticky texture. Avoid bright red varieties.
- Polygonum multiflorum (Heshouwu): Light yellowish slices with a powdery texture or rough brown-black surface, brittle and easy to break.
- Cinnamon (Rougui): Gray-brown outer layer and reddish-brown inner layer, hard and brittle with a strong fragrance. Darker colors indicate better effects.
Various types of Chinese medicinal herbs. (Photo/Provided by Heho Health)
Dr. You emphasizes that winter supplements should be taken under the guidance of professional physicians or pharmacists. Selecting suitable herbs ensures safe and effective health improvement.
