Headaches in naming Chinese Medicinals

[Guest guest]

Hi All,

 

As follow-up to my note on the Chinese Single Herb database -

http://www.zysj.com.cn/zhongyaocai/indexA.html - the more I look at

Chinese data on herbs, the more I realise that they pose serious pitfalls for

those who cannot read Chinese [which I cannot at this stage]:

 

(1) Specific / closely-related botanical species can have multiple (2-40 or

more) Chinese names, multiple Latin Names and MUltiple Common names.

 

For example, Inula~ Japanese / Linearleaf / British Fl (Inula~ britannica /

chinensis / chrysantha / helianthus- aquatilis / Hupehensis / japonica /

royleana Fl) has 39 Chinese names:

Xuanfuhua , aka 38 other aliases:

Aiju

Baiyecao

Chiyexuanfuhua

Dahuaxuanfuhua

Daizhen

Daogeng

Didijin

Dieluohuang

Feitianrui

Fu

Fuhua

Fuhua

Guzihua

Huangshuhua

Hubeichaoyanghua

JinFix:Fo;FuHua

Jinfeicao [Quancao]

Jinfeihua

Jinfuhua

Jinqianhua

Jinqianju

Jinzhanhua

Liuyueju

Lu´ercai

Lu´ercao

Lu´erduohua

Mantianxing

Mao´erduohua

Maoxuanfuhua

Quanfuhua

Shengzhen

Shuichaoyanghua

Shuikuihua

Xiaju

Xianyexuanfuhua

Xiaohuanghua

Xiaohuanghuazi

Yeyouhua

 

(2) Specific Chinese characters and Pinyin names can refer to totally

different botanical species.

 

For example, Xuerenshen can refer to two different plant species:

Lespedeza~ Buerger Rx; Bushclover~ Chinese Rx (Lespedezae buergeri

Rx)

OR

Indigo~ Velutinous Rx (Indigoferae stachyoidis Rx)

 

(2) Specific unaccented Pinyin names can have different Chinese characters

and refer to totally different botanical species.

 

For example,

Xuerenshen usually refers to Lespedeza~ Buerger Rx; Bushclover~

Chinese Rx (Lespedezae buergeri

whereas:

Xuerenshen [same Pinyin name but different Chinese characters]

usually refers to Indigo~ Velutinous Rx (Indigoferae stachyoidis Rx)

 

The more I look at Chinese herbal data, the bigger headache I get!

 

(1) If we are to use Chinese herbs safely and accurately, IMO, when

ordering them from reputable suppliers, we should ROUTINELY specify their

names in FOUR WAYS: Pinyin Name, Chinese Characters, Latin Name

AND Common Name, for example: Hongrenshen (, Panacis Ginseng

Rx Rubrum; Ginseng~ Red Rx)

 

(2) For added safety [to ensure that we use what we THINK we should be

using], the herbal profession should pressurize Cinese herb suppliers to

LABEL each herb container in the same way - viz, with the Pinyin Name,

Chinese Characters, Latin Name AND Common Name.

 

(3) Additionally, the accompanying datasheet should specify:

the main clinical indications (both classical Chinese Patterns and western

clinical indications);

recommended dosage;

known adverse effects (if any);

known herb / herb and herb / western drug interactions (if any);

cautions and contraindications, etc.

 

Best regards,

 

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

Phil, that was a great post and it brought up an important issue that nobody has

responded too -- Which suppliers of loose herbs are reputable? So, members

that are using loose herbs, please share with us where you are currently buying

your loose herbs.

 

Thank you!

 

Robert Asbridge

 

 

> The more I look at Chinese herbal data, the bigger headache I get!

>

> (1) If we are to use Chinese herbs safely and accurately, IMO, when

> ordering them from reputable suppliers, we should ROUTINELY specify their

> names in FOUR WAYS: Pinyin Name, Chinese Characters, Latin Name

> AND Common Name, for example: Hongrenshen (, Panacis Ginseng

> Rx Rubrum; Ginseng~ Red Rx)

>

> (2) For added safety [to ensure that we use what we THINK we should be

> using], the herbal profession should pressurize Cinese herb suppliers to

> LABEL each herb container in the same way - viz, with the Pinyin Name,

> Chinese Characters, Latin Name AND Common Name.

>

> (3) Additionally, the accompanying datasheet should specify:

> the main clinical indications (both classical Chinese Patterns and western

> clinical indications);

> recommended dosage;

> known adverse effects (if any);

> known herb / herb and herb / western drug interactions (if any);

> cautions and contraindications, etc.

>

> Best regards,

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

IMO, Springwind is top, when unavailable we buy from Mayway. For prepared

medicinals we often buy from Kamwo, however there quality needs to be

improved.

 

 

 

-Jason

 

 

 

 

On Behalf Of starguard_1

Monday, April 26, 2010 12:33 PM

 

Re: Headaches in naming Chinese Medicinals

 

 

 

 

 

Phil, that was a great post and it brought up an important issue that nobody

has responded too -- Which suppliers of loose herbs are reputable? So,

members that are using loose herbs, please share with us where you are

currently buying your loose herbs.

 

Thank you!

 

Robert Asbridge

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

If it was unclear, when I wrote prepared medicinals I was referring to

paozhi (e.g. chao niu bang zi).

 

 

 

-Jason

 

 

 

 

On Behalf Of

Wednesday, April 28, 2010 6:42 AM

 

RE: Re: Headaches in naming Chinese Medicinals

 

 

 

 

 

IMO, Springwind is top, when unavailable we buy from Mayway. For prepared

medicinals we often buy from Kamwo, however there quality needs to be

improved.

 

-Jason