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Evolving Chinese Medicinal Plants: Historical Insights & Ecological Challenges

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Professor delves into a comprehensive study of historical Chinese medicine collections from the early 1800s to 1929 at Kew Garden. Investigating over 1200 specimens, the research examines processing, species variations, and changes in medicinal plant parts. Examples like Gui Zhi’s shift from twig to bark and Zi Cao’s substitution with Boraginaceae reveal historical confusions and resource-driven transitions.

The discussion extends to the ecological challenges posed by overcollection, the depletion of wild resources, and the ethical considerations in Chinese medicine’s evolving landscape.

In the context of Chinese medicine, why is there a transition from wild to cultivated sources, and what challenges does it pose for sustainability?

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Clinical Drug Development of Chinese Herbal Medicine

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