Document Type
Oral Presentation
Location
Oxford Conference Center, Oxford MS
Event Website
https://oxfordicsb.org/
Start Date
7-4-2025 3:00 PM
Description
Various studies have observed that some minimally processed botanicals sold for use in Traditional Chinese Medicine are adulterated or substituted with species having similar appearance and/or traditional uses. In this study, commercial samples of several plants for which aboveground parts are used, and for which Leon & Lin’s (2017) reference work reported known substitutes, were examined. All samples of Ma Chi Xian (Portulaca oleracea), Yi Mu Cao (Leonurus japonicus), Ze Lan (Lycopus lucidus), and Zi Hua De Ding (Viola philippica) were at least mostly consistent with the stated identities, though some contained contaminants. Three of nine samples of Xi Xian Cao (Sigesbeckia orientalis) were substituted with species of Lamiaceae and two others were heavily contaminated, one with Asteraceae species. Nine of 11 samples of Jin Qian Cao (Lysimachia christinae) were substituted with Desmodium styracifolium (Guan Jin Qian Cao), and a tenth was a multispecies mixture. Four of nine samples of Sang Ji Sheng (Taxillus chinensis) appeared consistent with that identity, but three contained only stems; two were substituted with probable Viscum coloratum (Hu Ji Sheng), one was a mixture of the two genera, and two contained sliced larger woody branches, one labeled Morus. Contrarily, a mixed sample sold as Hu Ji Sheng contained mostly Taxillus and little or no V. coloratum. Two samples of Xiang Ru (Mosla chinensis) were unidentifiable but were possibly contaminated with Elsholtzia, while one labeled E. cristata possibly contained Mosla. Also, two samples of a large flower, Ling Xiao Hua (Campsis), were seen, both substituted with Paulownia. Mislabeling was common for some examined herbs, and perhaps underestimated in others because products are sold in a condition that makes morphological observation of minor admixtures very difficult.
Recommended Citation
Applequist, Wendy, "Misidentification remains common in selected historically substituted Traditional Chinese Medicine herbs." (2025). Oxford ICSB. 11.
https://egrove.olemiss.edu/icsb/2025_ICSB/Schedule/11
Publication Date
April 2025
Accessibility Status
Screen reader accessible, Searchable text
Included in
Misidentification remains common in selected historically substituted Traditional Chinese Medicine herbs.
Oxford Conference Center, Oxford MS
Various studies have observed that some minimally processed botanicals sold for use in Traditional Chinese Medicine are adulterated or substituted with species having similar appearance and/or traditional uses. In this study, commercial samples of several plants for which aboveground parts are used, and for which Leon & Lin’s (2017) reference work reported known substitutes, were examined. All samples of Ma Chi Xian (Portulaca oleracea), Yi Mu Cao (Leonurus japonicus), Ze Lan (Lycopus lucidus), and Zi Hua De Ding (Viola philippica) were at least mostly consistent with the stated identities, though some contained contaminants. Three of nine samples of Xi Xian Cao (Sigesbeckia orientalis) were substituted with species of Lamiaceae and two others were heavily contaminated, one with Asteraceae species. Nine of 11 samples of Jin Qian Cao (Lysimachia christinae) were substituted with Desmodium styracifolium (Guan Jin Qian Cao), and a tenth was a multispecies mixture. Four of nine samples of Sang Ji Sheng (Taxillus chinensis) appeared consistent with that identity, but three contained only stems; two were substituted with probable Viscum coloratum (Hu Ji Sheng), one was a mixture of the two genera, and two contained sliced larger woody branches, one labeled Morus. Contrarily, a mixed sample sold as Hu Ji Sheng contained mostly Taxillus and little or no V. coloratum. Two samples of Xiang Ru (Mosla chinensis) were unidentifiable but were possibly contaminated with Elsholtzia, while one labeled E. cristata possibly contained Mosla. Also, two samples of a large flower, Ling Xiao Hua (Campsis), were seen, both substituted with Paulownia. Mislabeling was common for some examined herbs, and perhaps underestimated in others because products are sold in a condition that makes morphological observation of minor admixtures very difficult.
https://egrove.olemiss.edu/icsb/2025_ICSB/Schedule/11