Chinese herbs: valuable natural resources of the people of the world

Abstract

Traditional Chinese medicine can be regarded as the traditional medicine wisdom and a valuable cultural heritage of the People’s Republic of China. Chinese herbs have been used for thousands of years to the present because both the geographical indication of the production areas of good quality herbs (Daodi Yaocai), and special processing methods (Paozhi), have been studied. Both of which are regarded as the hallmarks of Chinese herbs. Daodi Yaocai can be divided in different ways, but if considering on the agricultural areas of the People’s Republic of China, it can be divided into 10 major groups: Chuanyao, Guangyao, Yunyao, Guiyao, Huaiyao, Zheyao, Guanyao, Beiyao, Xiyao, and Jiangnanyao groups. In addition,cultivation. The other two important factors of Chinese herbs are harvesting (including the correct plant, part used, age of the plant, day period and appropriate season) and processing which has many steps from primary processing at the planting site to the processing with special techniques. These factors affect the good quality of herbs, reduce side effects, modify or calm the properties and the effects of the drug, lead the drug or promote the drug effect to act at the specific target modify the direction of action, and increase the therapeutic effectiveness. Moreover, the suitable processing process give the medicine clean, easy to store, convenient to prepare herbal preparation, and convenient to take. These good quality herbs have been used in traditional Chinese medicine until the present day.