Traditional Herbal Medicines: Clinical, Pharmaceutical, and Biological Analysis

Abstract

Medicinal plants have been used in many countries for thousands of years. For a long time, scientists have done a lot of work in order to make a study on the effective components of traditional herbal medicines (THM) and make quality control for them. Because the components of herbal medicines are various and uncertain, we need to develop standardized methods to test related items, which can estimate the source, category, authenticity, and main components of them to ensure their safety and efficacy. This article aims to introduce some of the analysis methods and quality control aspects of THM of the relevant research reports, including the identification of plants, the determination of the active ingredients or toxic components and analysis of heavy metals, pesticide residues, adulterants and counterfeits distinguishment, and identification. Among them, the fingerprint is the core of THM standardization. And the standardization is confronted with huge challenges, that everyone can do a favor.