1. How to judge that Chinese herbal medicines are moldy?
We always look at the production period and shelf life when shopping outside, but Chinese herbal medicines often have a production period but no shelf life. So, do Chinese herbal medicines have a shelf life?
The preservation time of Chinese herbal medicines has a great relationship with the preservation conditions. If stored improperly, Chinese herbal medicines are easy to change color, deform, taste, moth and mold. The appearance color of traditional Chinese medicine is closely related to its components. If the color is changed, the effective components of Chinese herbal medicines may be reduced or even changed. If the color changes slightly, the smell changes little, there is no mildew and no moth, then it can still be used. But if the color changes greatly, it is not recommended to use it.
If the smell of the same Chinese herbal medicine changes, it means that the volatile components (such as volatile oil) contained in it have been lost, so the efficacy will be reduced or even lost. Therefore, it is best to use up the volatile oil as soon as possible. In addition, if the Chinese herbal medicine has changed shape, moth-eaten, mildew, etc., it is best not to use it.
After the traditional Chinese medicine is moldy, its composition and efficacy will change, which will not only have no therapeutic effect, but also cause harm to people's health, and may lead to poisoning in severe cases.
2, mildewing is not serious processing
Scrubbing method: thoroughly dry the medicinal materials that are not mildewed by sun or drying, and then put them into a bumpy cage or sack or cloth bag and shake them back and forth. Collect and sort out the friction force by colliding with each other, and remove the mold. The medicinal materials suitable for brushing and removing mold include Radix Codonopsis, Radix Notoginseng, Radix Ophiopogonis, Radix Rehmanniae, Rhizoma Dioscoreae, Rhizoma Curcumae, Rhizoma Cyperi, Trichosanthis Radix, Radix Morindae Officinalis, Radix Dipsaci, Radix Puerariae, Rhizoma Belamcandae, Rhizoma Zingiberis, Radix Stemonae, Herba Abnormalis, and Radix Stemonae. For medicinal materials with long or flaky roots, it is not appropriate to collect and sort them by knocking and brushing. After sun exposure or baking, mold can be brushed off with a brush, such as broad bean root, cogongrass rhizome, gentian root, Smilax glabra root, etc.
Cleaning method: put the moldy medicinal materials into a jar or basin, and add water to rub or scrub. After the mold is taken out, it is taken out and dried. For medicinal materials that pay attention to color, they can be taken out after washing, washed with water drops or slightly dried. Every 50 kilograms of medicinal materials can be fumigated with 200 ~ 250 grams of sulfur before drying, which can increase the color. When collecting and sorting, you can use cold water to mold and hot water to mold. Wash quickly, not for long, so as to avoid the loss of effective ingredients and affect the smell or quality, and it is not easy to dry. For some medicinal materials whose epidermis is easily broken, such as Gastrodia elata and Fritillaria, it is necessary to add white inkstone powder into the water and mix well before washing, so as to avoid rubbing the epidermis and increasing losses. Chinese herbal medicines suitable for elutriation and mold removal include Radix Codonopsis, Bulbus Fritillariae Cirrhosae, Rhizoma Bletillae, Radix Asparagi, Rhizoma Pinelliae, withered stems, Rhizoma Polygonati, Polygonum Multiflori Radix, Rhizoma Curcumae, Caulis Spatholobi, and Nanxing.
Vinegar washing method: for precious Chinese herbal medicines that can't be stained with water, such as Cornus officinalis, Schisandra chinensis, ebony, jujube kernel, Amomum villosum and so on. You can spray vinegar after mildew. The ratio is 2.5-3 kg of vinegar per 50 kg of medicinal materials. The specific operation method is: spread the moldy Chinese herbal medicine thinly on the mat or clean cement floor, spray vinegar, turn it over as you spray it, and rub it by hand. After spraying evenly, cover it tightly with sacks or cloth. Stuffy 1 ~ 2 hours, and then spread out to dry.
3. Preservation methods of Chinese herbal medicines
First, dry
When the water content of Chinese medicinal materials exceeds 15%, it is easy to cause deterioration such as pests and mildew. Therefore, for medicinal materials with high water content, high temperature, sun exposure, wind blowing, lime desiccant and other forces are needed. Through drying, air drying, baking, microwave and far infrared radiation, the moisture content is reduced to below 65438 05%.
At present, the most commonly used method to reduce the water content of traditional Chinese medicine is to spread the medicine on a summer mat and expose it to the sun. If conditions permit, straw mats can be hung on the shelf. For some medicinal materials containing more water or starch, such as Fritillaria, Lily, Corydalis, etc. They should be boiled or steamed in boiling water first. Get some sunshine. Some medicinal materials, such as ephedra, are not durable in the sun, and the content of effective components will decrease after long-term sun exposure, so they should be placed in a ventilated place or under a cool shed to dry in the shade. In addition, some high-priced medicinal materials, such as ginseng and tiger bones, are prone to insects and mildew. They should be sealed and kept dry with lime.
It is worth noting that the medicinal materials should be fully dispersed before drying. Make it dry evenly to avoid mildew when the local water content exceeds the standard. At the same time, in order to maintain the purity of medicinal materials, the drying room should be clean and ventilated, and the drying equipment should be clean and pollution-free.
Second, storage
Generally speaking, it is best to keep medicinal materials in the refrigerator, especially valuable medicinal materials, such as Cordyceps sinensis and bird's nest, which can prevent insects and moisture.
To prevent moth and mildew, it is necessary to use the "anti-storage method" to reasonably match medicinal materials, such as pepper, star anise, osmanthus and other medicinal materials that can prevent moth and mildew, such as pepper stored with gecko and hippocampus; Cortex Moutan is stored with Rhizoma Dioscoreae and Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae.
Moisture-proof: some medicinal materials are dried in the sun to remove water, and then stored with sealed bottle caps to prevent discoloration and odor. Beiqi, Chenpi, Angelica sinensis and Dioscorea opposita (Dioscorea opposita) are not suitable for exposure in the sun. Exposure to Beiqi and Dioscorea opposita will discolor the medicinal materials and make them available.
Baking and drying; Exposure of dried tangerine peel and angelica sinensis will make the smell of medicinal materials disappear, so it should be stored in the refrigerator.
4. Preservation of common Chinese herbal medicines
Gastrodia elata: It is easy to be moth-eaten and moldy, and should be stored in a closed and dry container. Put it in a dry and ventilated place to prevent moisture regain and mildew. At the same time, before the annual moth-eaten season (March-April), it should be taken out and exposed to the sun repeatedly to prevent moth-eaten.
Ginseng medicinal materials: Ginseng medicinal materials include wild ginseng, red ginseng, sugar ginseng, sun-dried ginseng and American ginseng. Because it contains more sugar, mucus and volatile oil, it is easy to get wet, soak in water, mildew, discoloration, moth and other deterioration. Dry ginseng can be sealed with plastic bags, isolated from the air and stored in a cool place. It can also be wrapped in plastic bags, tied tightly and stored in the freezer for a long time.
Cordyceps sinensis: If the quantity is small and the storage time is short, put it in a closed glass bottle with peppers and refrigerate it in the refrigerator. It can also be sprayed with a small amount of 95% medical alcohol or 50% white wine for sealed preservation. Cordyceps should not be stored for too long, otherwise its efficacy will be reduced.
Pilose antler: Pilose antler should be placed in a ventilated place, and then some pepper should be wrapped in cloth and placed next to it. It can also be sprayed with a small amount of 95% medical alcohol or 50% white wine for sealed preservation. If properly preserved, the efficacy of velvet antler will not change in three to five years.
Lycium barbarum: This product contains more sugar, which is easy to absorb moisture, oil, mildew and moth. Moreover, the color of its components is extremely unstable and easy to change color, so it is a kind of Chinese herbal medicine that is difficult to maintain. You can spray Lycium barbarum with ethanol and stir it evenly, then pack it in non-toxic plastic bags, remove the air, seal it and keep it with you. This method can not only prevent insects from eating, but also make its color bright as fresh products. Or store fructus Lycii in refrigerator at 0-4° C; C ..
Saffron: It is a famous traditional Chinese medicine for promoting blood circulation. It should always be kept moist when stored, so it should be kept in a small sealed porcelain jar and stored in a cool place.
Ophiopogon japonicus: contains sticky sugar, which is easy to absorb moisture and disperse oil. If long-term storage is needed, it should be kept in a closed container and refrigerated to avoid light.
Chrysanthemum, honeysuckle and other flower medicinal materials: containing volatile oil components, easy to change color and worms. If it is stored for a long time, it should be stored in a closed container, in a cool and dry place, and kept away from light.
Finally, I suggest that you don't prescribe too much medicine at a time, and then prescribe it after use, which can not only ensure the curative effect, but also avoid the trouble of mildew.
5. Top Ten Chinese Herbal Medicines for Tonifying Blood
1, angelica sinensis
Angelica sinensis is a good medicine for enriching blood and promoting blood circulation, especially for common gynecological diseases, such as irregular menstruation, dysmenorrhea and amenorrhea. Angelica sinensis is warm, sweet and nourishing. It is good for people to eat it, but it is not suitable for people with excessive heat and bleeding. In addition, pregnant women should take it according to the doctor's advice.
2. Polygonum multiflorum Thunb
It is a commonly used tonic and strong medicine. Take tuber of Polygonum multiflorum Thunb. Polygonaceae plants are bitter, sweet, astringent and slightly warm. If eaten raw, it can moisten the intestines and relieve constipation. If used, it can tonify liver and kidney and benefit essence and blood. In addition, Cynanchum multiflorum Thunb. The tuber of Araliaceae has the same advantages as Polygonum multiflorum Thunb. , but its nourishing power is weak.
Polygonum multiflorum Thunb has many pharmacological effects, such as promoting the development of red blood cells, lowering cholesterol, resisting arteriosclerosis and diarrhea, and is one of the important anti-aging drugs. It is not only a good product for nourishing and strengthening, but also an important medicine for blackening hair, pleasing face and moistening skin. Regular use is of great benefit to the elderly and infirm.
3. (Chinese herbal medicine) Codonopsis pilosula
Codonopsis pilosula not only helps to generate blood, but also can invigorate qi. Danggui Huangqi decoction has obvious blood-enriching effect.
4. Longan
Dried longan can soothe the nerves and replenish qi and blood. At the same time, because it contains vitamin A, vitamin B and glucose, it also has a certain effect on skin care and longevity.
5. Ejiao
Ejiao has a flat nature, which can replenish blood in the liver and nourish yin and essence in the kidney. Ejiao is rich in collagen, which can promote the synthesis of red blood cells and obviously enrich the blood. Hemostatic effect. It is also a good product for women's health and beauty.
6.medlar
The mature fruit of Lycium barbarum or Lycium barbarum in Ningxia, which is used as medicine, is sweet in taste and flat in nature, and has the functions of tonifying kidney, producing sperm, nourishing blood, improving eyesight, blackening hair and pleasing face. It is a good product for nourishing liver and kidney, and is known as a health medicine suitable for all ages. For example, Shennong's Classic of Materia Medica said: "Long-term service strengthens the bones and muscles, keeps the mind and body young, and resists cold and heat."
Herbal Dietotherapy says that it can "strengthen muscles and resist aging, dispel wind and tonify bones and muscles, benefit people and eliminate fatigue." Pharmacological research shows that Lycium barbarum can reduce blood cholesterol and has the effect of anti-experimental atherosclerosis, so it is used to prevent and treat hyperlipidemia, atherosclerotic hypertension, coronary heart disease and other senile diseases.
7.ginseng
Ginseng has the effects of invigorating qi and blood, promoting metabolism, endocrine coordination, producing blood and sperm, and promoting blood circulation. It also has a good effect on cancer prevention and anti-aging, and is the "king of herbs" that nourishes qi and blood.
To replenish blood, ginseng should be used together with blood-enriching drugs such as Radix Rehmanniae Preparata and Radix Angelicae Sinensis, and it is best to stew ginseng with slow fire to give full play to its efficacy. In addition, it should be noted that you can't drink tea and eat radish during taking ginseng, so as not to alleviate the drug effect and affect the drug effect.
8. Radix Paeoniae Alba
Paeonia lactiflora is sour, bitter and slightly cold, and has the functions of nourishing blood, strengthening tendons, relieving pain, softening liver and calming spleen. It is often used for deficiency of yin and blood and hyperactivity of liver yang, especially for gynecology. As Sun Bencao said, "The hostess is riddled with diseases, as well as prenatal and postnatal diseases." Clinically, it is often combined with Radix Rehmanniae Preparata and Radix Angelicae Sinensis to treat irregular menstruation and abdominal pain after menstruation caused by blood deficiency. When used together with Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch, it can relieve acute pain in hypochondriac, epigastric, head and limbs muscles.
10, Spatholobus suberectus
Spatholobus suberectus in Kunming and Spatholobus suberectus in Shancheng are sweet, bitter and warm, and can nourish blood and dredge collaterals. Modern research has proved that they have the function of increasing white blood cells and can be used for leukopenia caused by excessive radiation exposure. The ointment made from Spatholobus suberectus juice has the effects of invigorating qi and blood, strengthening bones and muscles, and dredging meridians. It can be taken by the elderly and weak women, and can treat numbness, paralysis, irregular menstruation, traumatic injury and other symptoms.