A Paradigm Shift in Evaluation of Dao-di Herbs： From Geographical Indication to Characteristic Consistency
10.13422/j.cnki.syfjx.20260218
- VernacularTitle:道地药材评价的范式转型： 从地理标识到特征稳定
- Author:
Yuan YUAN
1
;
Luqi HUANG
2
Author Information
1. Experimental Research Center， China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences， Beijing 100700，China
2. State Key Laboratory for Quality Ensurance and Sustainable Use of Dao-di Herbs， China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences， Beijing 100700，China
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Dao-di herb;
excellence morphology and high quality;
quality stability index;
grading and evaluation system
- From:
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae
2026;32(18):1-6
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
The evaluation of Dao-di herbs has long relied on an origin-centric model defined by three generations of herbal classics and a century of historical use. However， under the background of modern industrialization， expanded cultivation regions， and diversified production modes in the Chinese medicinal material industry， this model has shown increasing limitations. This article systematically elaborates on the urgent need and core pathways for a paradigm shift in evaluating Dao-di herbs. Three key transformations are proposed： ① The evaluation benchmark should shift from determining quality by origin to defining genuineness by characteristics， focusing on stable and reproducible clusters of traits reflecting excellence morphology and high quality rather than single geographical labels. ② Quality control methods need to advance from empirical and descriptive identification to modern standardized parameters， addressing the challenges of subjectivity， insufficient quantification， and difficulties in implementation and regulation inherent to conventional descriptive approaches. ③ The grading system should evolve from experience-based selection of superior goods to scientific quantitative grading standards grounded in models linking excellence morphology and high quality （superior efficacy）. Furthermore， this article proposes a novel evaluation model centered on quality consistency as the quantitative core. By digitizing characteristics， establishing correlation models， and introducing statistical indicators such as the proportion rate of excellent shape， high quality， and superior effect （P） and the standard deviation of characteristic expression （S）， a quality stability index （QSI） is constructed. This framework aims to establish an objective， verifiable， and universally applicable grading and evaluation system for Dao-di herbs. This transformative research provides a theoretical foundation for integrating traditional knowledge with modern scientific methods and building a new paradigm for quality management of Chinese medicinal materials that incorporates both Chinese characteristics and international recognition.
