Scientific characterization of medicinal amber: evidence from geological and archaeological studies.
10.19540/j.cnki.cjcmm.20250325.101
- Author:
Qi LIU
1
;
Qing-Hui LI
2
;
Di-Ying HUANG
3
;
Yan LI
4
;
Pan XIAO
5
;
Ji-Qing BAI
6
;
Hua-Sheng PENG
7
;
Lu-Qi HUANG
7
Author Information
1. Hunan Key Laboratory of Archaeometry and Conservation Science Changsha 410008,China Hunan Museum(the Cultural Relics Appraisal Center of Hunan Province) Changsha 410008,China the National Museum of Asian Art Washington,DC.20004,USA.
2. Center of Sci-Tech Archaeology,Shanghai Institute of Optics and Fine Mechanics,Chinese Academy of Sciences Shanghai 201800,China.
3. Key Laboratory of Palaeobiology and Petroleum Stratigraphy,Nanjing Institute of Geology and Palaeontology,Chinese Academy of Sciences Nanjing 210008,China.
4. Gemological Institute,China University of Geoscience Wuhan 430074,China Hubei Engineering Research Center of Jewelry Wuhan 430074,China.
5. Hunan Key Laboratory of Archaeometry and Conservation Science Changsha 410008,China Hunan Museum(the Cultural Relics Appraisal Center of Hunan Province) Changsha 410008,China.
6. Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine Xianyang 712046,China Shaanxi Museum of Traditional Chinese Medicine Xianyang 712046,China.
7. Key Scientific Research Base of Traditional Chinese Medicine Heritage(Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences), National Cultural Heritage Administration Beijing 100700,China State Key Laboratory for Quality Ensurance and Sustainable Use of Dao-di Herbs,National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica,China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences Beijing 100700,China.
- Publication Type:Historical Article
- Keywords:
Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(FTIR);
amber;
archaeology;
geology;
medicinal materials
- MeSH:
Amber/history*;
Archaeology;
Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared;
Medicine, Chinese Traditional
- From:
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica
2025;50(11):2905-2914
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Amber and subfossil resins are subjects of interdisciplinary research across multiple fields. However, due to their diverse origins and complex compositions, different disciplines vary in their definitions and functional interpretations. In traditional Chinese medicine(TCM), amber has been utilized as a medicinal material since ancient time, with extensive historical documentation. However, its classification, provenance, and nomenclature remain ambiguous, and authentic medicinal amber artifacts are exceedingly rare. This study employed Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy(FTIR) to characterize amber and subfossil resins from various geological sources and commercially "medicinal amber". Additionally, historical literature and market surveys were analyzed to explore their provenance, composition, and functional attributes. The results indicate that amber and subfossil resins from different sources and with different compositions exhibit distinct fingerprint characteristics in the FTIR spectral range of 1 800-700 cm~(-1). "Medicinal amber" available in the market primarily consists of subfossil or modern resins, significantly differing in composition and structure from geological amber. This study highlights the importance of interdisciplinary research on amber identification and resource management. It is essential to establish a systematic database of amber and subfossil resin characteristics and integrate modern analytical techniques to enhance research on their composition, pharmacological mechanisms, and potential therapeutic effects, thereby promoting the standardized utilization of amber resources and advancing the modernization of TCM.
