About the storage methods of Chinese medicinal materials

1. Storage of medicinal materials containing volatile oils

For example, asarum, Ligusticum chuanxiong, angelica dahurica, rose, tortoise flower, bergamot, rose, costus, achyranthes, etc. contain volatile oils, which are rich in aroma and bright in color. , should not be exposed to the air for a long time. Such medicinal materials should be packed in double-layer non-toxic plastic film bags. Tie tightly and store in a dry, ventilated, and dark place.

2. Storage of fruit and seed medicinal materials

Medicinal materials such as plum kernels, coix kernels, cypress kernels, almonds, gorgon seeds, croton seeds, lotus seed meat and other medicinal materials contain starch, fat, sugar, protein and other ingredients. If exposed to high temperatures, the oil will easily seep out, causing oil spots and stains to appear on the surface of the medicinal materials, causing deterioration, rancidity and odor change. This kind of medicinal materials should not be stored in high-temperature places, let alone roasted by fire. They should be placed in containers such as ceramic jars, altars, or metal barrels, and stored in a shaded, dry, and dark place to prevent insects, mildew, and deterioration.

3． Storage of starchy medicinal materials

For example, Codonopsis pilosula, Radix Adenophora, Polygonum multiflorum, rhubarb, yam, kudzu root, Alisma, Fritillaria, etc. contain starch, protein, amino acids and other ingredients. Such medicinal materials should be tightly wrapped in double-layer non-toxic plastic film bags and stored in containers filled with quicklime, alum, chaff, etc. to prevent insect infestation, moisture resurgence, deterioration, and mildew.

4． Storage of sugar-containing medicinal materials

Medicinal materials with high sugar content, such as Bletilla striata, Anemarrhena, wolfberry, Polygonatum odoratum, Polygonatum, Polygonum multiflorum, Rehmannia glutinosa, Asparagus, Codonopsis root, Scrophulariaceae, etc., are prone to moisture absorption. The saccharification makes it sticky and difficult to dry, causing it to become moldy and deteriorate. Therefore, this kind of medicinal materials should first be fully dried, then put into double-layer non-toxic plastic film bags, tightly wrapped, and placed in dry, ventilated and sealed ceramic jars, jars, jars, and then put some quicklime or alum, Cover with dry and fresh sawdust, chaff, etc. to prevent moisture.