Authenticity Verification and Scientific Storage: Methods for Identifying Genuine and Counterfeit Precious Tonics and Analysis of the Drawbacks of Misuse of Traditional Chinese and Western Medicines

(1) Fake Ginseng. Common counterfeit ginseng products include: ① Phytolacca acinosa root, peeled and processed, resembling ginseng in shape. The main root is cylindrical, multi-branched, 10-20 cm long, with fine longitudinal lines, no annular lines, uneven cross-section, no aroma, bland smell, and numbness of the tongue after prolonged chewing. It is poisonous. ② Huashan ginseng, often used to impersonate red ginseng due to its shape and dark brown appearance. It has no texture, no fibrous roots, and a rhizome at the top but no "root head". The cross-section is yellowish-white and bitter. ③ Isatis indigotica root, peeled and processed, resembling ginseng in shape. The main root is conical, yellowish-white, and often used to impersonate white ginseng. Fresh products have white latex flowing from the cross-section. Dried products are twisted and wrinkled in shape, with radial cracks on the cross-section. It tastes slightly bitter and irritating. ④ Mountain lettuce, which is somewhat similar in shape to ginseng, with a detached stem scar at the top, but does not have a root head. ⑤ Platycodon grandiflorus, with a powdery white or light yellow surface, often used to impersonate sun-dried ginseng. Platycodon grandiflorus is cylindrical, long conical or slightly spindle-shaped, relatively shriveled, and tastes sweet at first and then slightly bitter. (2) Fake Korean ginseng. Domestic red ginseng is often used to impersonate imported Korean ginseng. Korean ginseng has three distinct characteristics: "horse hoof" (double rhizome heads are shaped like horseshoes, and both sides are level with the shoulders), "general's shoulder" (the part from the rhizome head to the main body is wider than that of domestic red ginseng), and "wearing a yellow robe" (the upper part of the main root has fine and uniform yellow dots). Counterfeit Korean ginseng does not have the above characteristics. The rhizome is mostly artificially joined, and the cross-section does not have a complete color ring. Common counterfeits also include the roots of pokeweed or American pokeweed, wild ginseng and four o'clocks. (3) Fake American ginseng. Ginseng (sun-dried ginseng, white ginseng) is often used to impersonate American ginseng. Imported American ginseng has a shorter main root, is mostly spindle-shaped, often has branches, and the forking angle is large. The upper part of the main root has fine and clear rings, and the middle and lower parts have lateral root scars. The epidermis is delicate with lenticel-like scars. It is heavy and firm, and not easily broken. The cross-section has a relatively obvious dark layer ring. It tastes slightly bitter with a sweet aftertaste, and some are mucilaginous. The main root of ginseng is generally long, with few branches and small forking angles. The rings on the upper part of the main root are not obvious, and there are irregular wrinkles. It is slightly light in texture, easy to break, with strong floury cross-section and many radial cracks. It tastes slightly bitter and does not have the special smell of American ginseng. (4) False Cordyceps sinensis. Common counterfeit Cordyceps sinensis products include: ① Ground silkworm, which is the dried tuber of the plant Ground silkworm of the Lamiaceae family. It is prismatic or long prismatic, slightly curved, resembling a larva, with a slender creeping branch remaining at one end. The epidermis is light yellow to grayish-black, with root scars, 2 to 11 segments, no feet or fruiting bodies, and tastes sweet and is sticky. ② Grass stone silkworm, which is the rhizome of the plant Grass stone silkworm of the Lamiaceae family, commonly known as earth worm grass. It is spindle-shaped, with slightly pointed ends. The surface is yellowish-white to brownish-yellow, with spiral or beaded strands, 2-10 segments, no feet or fruiting bodies, and a sweet and slightly spicy taste. ③ Ground radish, the dried rhizome of the sweet potato plant (Lamiaceae). Main characteristics: spindle-shaped and slightly flattened, brown at one end, no feet or fruiting bodies, fragrant aroma, and sweet taste. ④ Branched cordyceps, resembling a silkworm, wrinkled, often stained yellowish-green, with a yellowish-brown or dark brown horn-like outer layer when the mycelium is removed, a yellowish-white center, and a clear, fragrant, and slightly bitter aroma.

How to store precious tonics? (1) Ginseng. There are red ginseng and white ginseng. Red ginseng is generally not easily infested by insects, but it must be kept dry. When drying, it should be covered with white paper to prevent discoloration. It can be stored in a wooden box or porcelain bottle in a sealed container. White ginseng is prone to insects, mold, and discoloration. Insect infestation often occurs on the upper part of the main root and the rhizome (root head). If it has become damp, it should be dried in time and stored in a sealed porcelain bottle to maintain its original color. During the plum rain season, it can be stored in a quicklime container, but direct contact with quicklime should be avoided. The quicklime should not be too much (about 1/4 of the container is enough), because if the ginseng is too dry, it will easily break and cause loss. In addition, after drying, American ginseng should also be stored in a cool place in a sealed container. (2) Panax notoginseng. Insects often infest the broken parts of the branch roots, and the insect holes are very small and can only be found by careful inspection. After cleaning, put it in a cloth bag and place it in a wooden box, or put it in a paper bag or paper box, and then put it in a quicklime jar for sealed storage. (3) Donkey-hide gelatin, deer antler gelatin, and tortoise shell gelatin. They are easily softened when exposed to heat and moisture, and easily broken in dry and cold places. They can be wrapped in oil paper, buried in rice husks and sealed for storage, so that the moisture in the outside air is absorbed by the rice husks, thus protecting the medicine. They can also be put in a double-layered plastic bag, sealed, and stored in a cool and dry place. In summer, it is best to store them in a sealed quicklime jar. (4) Gecko. It is very susceptible to moisture and insect infestation. It must be placed in a wooden box or tin box, with some camphor balls around it, or mixed with pepper for storage. It can also be put in a container and sealed in a quicklime box for storage. Special attention should be paid to protecting the tail of the gecko, as it is the main part used in medicine. (5) Cordyceps sinensis. After drying in a cool, ventilated place, put it in a wooden box, line it with moisture-proof paper, and place it in a dry place or in a quicklime box to prevent mold and insect infestation. (6) Musk. It is a brown or dark brown powder with a unique and strong aroma. It can be stored in a porcelain jar or glass bottle, sealed with wax, and stored in a cool, dry place to prevent the aroma from dissipating and affecting the quality. (7) Deer antler. After drying, wrap it in a fine cloth and put it in a wooden box. Stuff the box with pepper powder wrapped in small paper around it. This will not only prevent insect infestation, mold, or excessive drying and cracking, but also maintain the luster of the deer antler fur. If it is deer antler powder, it can be stored in a sealed porcelain bottle. The above-mentioned precious Chinese medicines are best preserved by refrigeration (-5℃). This can kill insects, prevent the growth and reproduction of mold, and prevent the Chinese medicine from changing color. If it has become moldy and deteriorated, or has a large number of insects and clumps, it should not be used for medicinal purposes.

What are the drawbacks of misusing traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine for tonification? Traditional Chinese medicine generally classifies tonifying herbs into four categories: First, Qi-tonifying herbs, such as ginseng, astragalus, jujube, and codonopsis, have the effect of tonifying Yang and Qi, supporting the body's resistance and eliminating pathogenic factors. They are used to treat Yang deficiency and weakness, physical weakness, fatigue and drowsiness, overwork damaging the spleen, and loss of appetite. Second, Yang-tonifying herbs, also called warming tonics, such as deer antler, cistanche, cynomorium, and curculigo, have the effect of tonifying the kidneys and strengthening Yang. They are used to treat Yang deficiency or deficiency-cold, such as Qi deficiency and weakness, insomnia and forgetfulness, dizziness, palpitations, lower back pain and cold limbs, or weakness and diarrhea. Third, Yin-tonifying herbs, also called nourishing Yin herbs, such as glehnia, asparagus, privet fruit, and tortoise shell, have the effect of nourishing the Yin and generating fluids. They are used to treat deficiency of true Yin, night sweats, lower back pain and weak legs, dizziness, dry throat and mouth. Fourthly, there are blood-tonifying herbs, such as Rehmannia glutinosa, Polygonum multiflorum, Angelica sinensis, and donkey-hide gelatin, which have the effect of replenishing and generating blood, and are used to treat blood deficiency, chlorosis, and blood loss. This shows that Chinese herbal tonics have different properties and flavors. Therefore, even for deficiency syndromes, it is necessary to follow the diagnostic theory of traditional Chinese medicine, first distinguishing the differences in Qi, blood, Yin, and Yang, and then having a detailed diagnosis by a TCM practitioner before administering tonics. Cases of blindly taking tonics, worsening the condition, or even leading to critical illness are frequently seen in clinical practice. For example, ginseng can replenish Qi and generate fluids, but incorrect use can cause stomach distension and discomfort, and mouth ulcers; deer antler can warm and tonify kidney Yang, but incorrect use can cause hair loss and irritability; for those with weak spleen and stomach, taking donkey-hide gelatin can damage the spleen and stomach; and for those with a constitution of Yang deficiency, eating white fungus can worsen the condition. When people think of Western medicine "tonics," they first think of glucose and vitamins. In fact, the main function of glucose is to provide energy. One gram of glucose produces 4 calories of energy. Therefore, a 500ml bottle of 10% glucose solution (500ml containing 50 grams of sugar) only produces 200 calories. A normal adult needs approximately 3000 calories per day, demonstrating that the body cannot obtain energy solely from glucose solution. Glucose solution is mainly used for "supportive treatment" in critically ill patients who cannot eat, or as a solvent for drug infusion. People who can eat normally do not need glucose supplementation at all; in fact, taking glucose can impair digestion. Vitamins participate in energy metabolism, but in daily life, as long as a balanced diet is maintained, the vitamins in food are sufficient for the body's needs, and additional supplementation is unnecessary. Excessive supplementation can cause adverse effects such as poisoning. For example, large doses of vitamin C can form oxalate stones in urine; large doses of cod liver oil can cause vitamin A and D poisoning. Therefore, only those with vitamin deficiencies, such as pregnant women and infants, should supplement under the guidance of a physician.