（凡药必选原枝，看切方妙；若现成切片者，恐真伪高下难辨）
医药贸易，多在市家辨认未精，差错难免。谚云∶“卖药者双眸；用药者只眼；服药者
盲瞽。”非虚语也。许多欺罔百般巧诈，明者竟叱其非，暗者甘受其侮。本资治病，反致杀
人。虽上天责报于冥冥，然仓卒不能察实，或误归咎于用药者之错，亦常有也。但恻隐皆所
固有，市家岂独无情？皆因人畏价昂货真，实有眼不识世药；物贱价廉，反接踵相售，是以
伪稀多充，罔顾罪积也。今峻历遭其祸，目击心伤。辨真察类，将亲所试验者，略举数端，
考正于后。此诚生死攸关紧要，非比小节寻常。务要考究精详，辨其形色，察尝气味，真伪
了明，修制治疗，庶免乖违，宁出高价，毋为自欺。
人参 短壮坚实，圆而光润力全。今假者遍行，不可不察。但切开有心，味虽甜，收口
略苦，津反凋腻，不如真者生津，其色带呆，余者无二。今人买通卖婆，诈称乡宦带剩；或
央亲及亲诈称病后遗多，俱当细察。
阿胶 真者明彻如冰，味甜，全不焦苦，世上甚少。竟劝勿服假者，或带绿、或焦苦、
或带臭气，皆系牛胶墨煎成，损胃伤脾。更有杂用贱药煎成，或枯燥、或柔 、或味香，有
砂黑、漆色、带绿光，俱假。目今时医，动必用阿胶、秋石等药。然后设计，借名亲友珍藏，
代
淡秋石 轻松入口即烊者真；稍带硬者，必充。小粉石膏忌服，自制。辨正。
咸秋石 雪亮者真。
紫金锭 店中亦有真者，但内麝香甚贵，少以加入。须尝口中香窜，麝入触鼻者真；香
缓者
犀角 明亮气香者真。今多牛角做充，不香或带气味可辨。
龙骨 纹细、五色、舐竟粘舌者佳。青黑勿用。
胆星 必牛臊气晕，苦异常，黄黑明亮，坚 者真。今多用猪胆假造误人，或枯干、或
黑软，KT 不明润，可辨。
牛黄 要嫩黄、轻虚、重叠可揭，气息微香，摩指甲竟透者真。
龟胶 或黄色带臭气者假。
麝香 味辛，手指捻去松者真； 如丸者假。原个要皮薄、带黄毛少、饱满而软真；皮
黑浓、硬毛多、味淡者假。
冰片 如梅花细瓣轻洁微白，气甚熏人者真；若质重如砂细碎者假。其片要浓薄不等；
若做成光圆者假。
熊胆 伪者甚多。但取一粟米大滴入水中若线不散者真。或以米粒大点水中，运转如飞
者良，缓者假也。
虎胫骨 黄白可服。稍带黑色乃药伤，大毒。忌服。要长、带扁者真；若带圆，脊驼缺
陷不平如三角样者假。
羚羊角 须看角弯中尖细，有挂痕者真；或耳边听之集集有声者良。其疏漫无痕，枯老
者假也。
鹿茸 要如琥珀色，三、四、五寸长，肉饱满者力全；太长或枯黑无用，恐是麋茸；太
细短又嫩，恐是毛茸。
滴乳石 必要如雪冬淋糖，长五、六寸，明亮中空，色白者真；若乳突出而不如淋糖长
者假。
翠胆矾 成块如鸡卵大、颜色青碧如琉璃、击碎纵横解皆成叠方真。今市多以青矾用醋
揉，假充宜辨。
云母 要白泽、作片成层可折、通透轻浮者真。
阳起石 要明亮如鹭鸶毛者真。
琥珀 要如血色熟透，于布下拭吸得芥子者真。
朱砂 有以雄黄充入，宜细看。
蛤蚧 有花斑起发光亮者真。以四脚蛙充者，当辨。
花蕊石 打开有花白斑点者真，无者假。
轻粉 明如雪片，粒粒枪KT 起者真；色暗粒细，无枪KT 者假。
蟾酥 舐舌上甜麻揭舌者真；不麻者假。
沉香 油润，切如黄蜡者真；今卖黑色如牛角样者假，忌用。
母丁香 如枣核大者真；如细钉者少效。
木香 多有用青木香欺人，宜辨。要坚硬形如枯骨、苦口粘牙者真。青木香细小。
苏合油香 只用如膏油赤色无滓、香极芬烈、涂上手背香透手心，或如粘胶者真。
陈皮 凡使勿用乳柑皮，皱子皮忌服。今市家多用充入，误人，不可不辨。真橘皮纹细，
色红而薄，内多筋脉，其味苦辛香为真。柑子皮纹粗，色黄而浓，内多白膜，其味反甜而辛，
无效。柚子皮其味甜多辛，少最浓而虚，其纹更粗，色黄，内多膜无筋，性冷害人，忌服。
川贝 味甜轻松者真，质硬味苦者假。
白术 味甜、枝苗极细，根多虽叶有迹方是野术，有效，卖者多种。味淡或苦、枝苗粗
大光沃无力，勿服。
地黄 皮老瘩疙坚实、菊花心者佳；光润者土种虽大无效。
苏子 假充甚多。需带青草香气者真。
云茯苓 坚硬，切片光亮玉色者真，白而松者土出无效。
羌独活 紫色节密为羌，黄色成块为独。
黄 直如箭杆、柔软如绵、肉白心黄、味甜者佳。
血竭 敲断如镜光亮，取摩指甲红透方妙。
川续断 要如鸡脚节，节断皮黄皱者方真。
巴戟 要中心紫而鲜洁者为真。
乳香 透明如滴乳头者良。有用松香假充，须察。
阿魏 切开五色，柔软者真；太软如泥者假。
川芎 形择重实洁白为良。油者勿用。
桂枝 味辛甜香窜者真，味淡者无用。
川连 类鹰爪连珠，根毛细密，有菊花黄心者真；若皮色太黄，或毛粗而疏，或头尾等
粗实心者俱忌服。
白豆蔻 味辛香入口晕凉真；草蔻充者味不晕凉，可辨。
枣仁 粒粗胞满，色紫佳；细扁，色淡者无用。
首乌 有做成大者置地中，年余即生成；但皮嫩有筋，可辨。
哑片 假者甚多。要柔软必带青香者真。
附子 顶平，肉如铁色，滋润者佳。西附子肉干白大而无力。
三七 味甜，以末投猪血中，血化为水者真。
漆 湿者以物蘸起，细而不断，断而急收涂竹木上速干者佳。
山茹菇 根须多者真；根少者假。
香薷 直长香烈者真；细短不香者是土出，食之腹痛，忌用。
藿香 味辛香烈者真；不香者假，忌用。
怀山药 坚实细白者真；大而空松者假。
沙蒺藜 黑色粒粗者真；青色粒细者假。
肉桂 紫润味甜、甚辛香烈人者真。今多假者，色紫油润可观，切片有细花白点、不甚
辛香者忌服。
（凡是药材必须选择原枝，观察切制后的效果才精妙；如果是现成的切片，恐怕真假优劣难以分辨）
医药贸易中，大多在市井商家辨认不够精细，难免出现差错。谚语说：“卖药的人有双明亮的眼睛；用药的人只有一只眼睛；服药的人则是瞎子。”这不是空话。许多欺诈手段花样百出、巧诈多端，明智的人竟然斥责其错误，糊涂的人却甘愿受欺侮。本意是用来治病的药物，反而导致杀人。虽然上天在冥冥之中会责备报应，但仓促之间不能查明实情，有时错误地归咎于用药者的失误，这也是常有的事。但是恻隐之心是人所固有的，市井商家难道唯独没有感情吗？都是因为人们害怕价格昂贵而货物真实，实际上有眼不识世间真药；物品便宜且价格低廉，反而接踵而至地购买销售，因此伪品稀少却冒充真品，不顾罪孽积累。如今我钱峻亲身遭受过这种祸害，目睹心中伤痛。辨别真伪、考察类别，将我亲自试验过的情况，略举几端，考证纠正如下。这确实是关乎生死的重要事情，不像小节那样寻常。务必考究得精密详细，辨别其形状颜色，观察品尝气味，使真伪明了，在修制治疗时，才能避免违背药性，宁可出高价，也不要自欺欺人。
人参：短壮坚实，圆润而光润则药效全备。现在假的人参到处流行，不可不仔细考察。只要切开看中心，味道虽然甜，但收口处略带苦味，津液反而凋腻，不如真的人参能生津，其颜色带有呆滞感，其余方面没有两样。现在的人买通卖婆，谎称是乡绅官员带剩的；或者央求亲戚及亲友谎称病后遗留的多，都应当仔细考察。
阿胶：真正的阿胶明亮透彻如冰，味道甜，完全不焦苦，世上很少见。竟劝告不要服用假的阿胶，有的带绿色、或焦苦、或带臭气，都是牛胶墨煎制成的，损伤胃脾。更有混杂使用贱药煎制的，有的枯燥、或柔韧、或味道香，有砂黑、漆色、带绿光的，都是假的。现在的时医，动不动就用阿胶、秋石等药。然后设计圈套，借名亲友珍藏，代售。
淡秋石：轻松入口即溶化的是真的；稍带硬度的，必定是冒充的。小粉石膏忌服，自制。辨别纠正。
咸秋石：雪白明亮的是真的。
紫金锭：店中也有真的，但里面的麝香非常昂贵，少量加入。必须尝起来口中香窜，麝香入鼻触嗅的是真的；香气缓慢的是假的。
犀角：明亮气香的是真的。现在多用牛角来冒充，不香或带有其他气味可以辨别。
龙骨：纹理细、五色、舔过后粘舌的是佳品。青黑色的不要用。
胆星：必须有牛臊气晕染，苦味异常，黄黑明亮，坚硬的是真的。现在多用猪胆假造误人，有的枯干、或黑软，不明润，可以辨别。
牛黄：要嫩黄色、轻虚、重叠可揭开，气息微香，摩擦指甲竟能透色的是真的。
龟胶：有的黄色带臭气的是假的。
麝香：味道辛，手指捻去松散的粉末的是真的；结成丸状的是假的。原个的要皮薄、带黄毛少、饱满而软的是真的；皮黑浓、硬毛多、味道淡的是假的。
冰片：像梅花细瓣一样轻洁微白，气味很熏人的是真的；如果质地重如砂细碎的是假的。其片要浓薄不等；如果做成光圆的是假的。
熊胆：伪品很多。只要取一粒米大小滴入水中，若线条不散开的是真的。或者以米粒大点入水中，运转如飞的是好的，缓慢的是假的。
虎胫骨：黄白色可以服用。稍带黑色乃是药伤，有大毒。忌服。要长、带扁的是真的；如果带圆，脊背驼陷不平如三角样的假的。
羚羊角：须看角弯中尖细，有挂痕的是真的；或在耳边听之有集集有声的是好的。其疏漫无痕，枯老的是假的。
鹿茸：要像琥珀色，三、四、五寸长，肉饱满则药效全备；太长或枯黑无用，恐怕是麋鹿茸；太细短又嫩，恐怕是毛鹿茸。
滴乳石：必要像雪冬淋糖，长五、六寸，明亮中空，色白的是真的；如果乳突出而不像淋糖长的是假的。
翠胆矾：成块如鸡蛋大、颜色青碧如琉璃、击碎纵横解皆成叠方的是真的。现在市面多以青矾用醋揉，假充宜辨。
云母：要白泽、作片成层可折、通透轻浮的是真的。
阳起石：要明亮如鹭鸶毛的是真的。
琥珀：要像血色熟透，在布下擦拭吸得芥子大小的颗粒的是真的。
朱砂：有用雄黄掺入的，宜仔细看。
蛤蚧：有花斑起发光亮的是真的。用四脚蛙冒充的，应当辨别。
花蕊石：打开有花白斑点的是真的，没有的是假的。
轻粉：明如雪片，粒粒枪形突起的是真的；色暗粒细，无枪形突起的是假的。
蟾酥：舔舌上甜麻揭舌的是真的；不麻的是假的。
沉香：油润，切如黄蜡的是真的；现在卖黑色如牛角样的是假的，忌用。
母丁香：如枣核大的是真的；如细钉的效力少。
木香：多有用青木香欺骗人，宜辨别。要坚硬形如枯骨、苦口粘牙的是真的。青木香细小。
苏合油香：只用像膏油赤色无渣滓、香极芬烈、涂上手背香透手心，或像粘胶的是真的。
陈皮：凡使用不要用乳柑皮，皱子皮忌服。现在市家常多用来充入，误人，不可不辨别。真橘皮纹细，色红而薄，内多筋脉，其味苦辛香为真。柑子皮纹粗，色黄而浓，内多白膜，其味反甜而辛，无效。柚子皮其味甜多辛，少最浓而虚，其纹更粗，色黄，内多膜无筋，性冷害人，忌服。
川贝：味甜轻松的是真的，质硬味苦的是假的。
白术：味甜、枝苗极细，根多虽叶有迹方是野术，有效，卖者多种。味淡或苦、枝苗粗大光沃无力，勿服。
地黄：皮老疙瘩坚实、菊花心的是佳品；光润的是土种虽大无效。
苏子：假充很多。需带青草香气的是真的。
云茯苓：坚硬，切片光亮玉色的是真的，白而松的是土出无效。
羌独活：紫色节密为羌，黄色成块为独。
黄芪：直如箭杆、柔软如绵、肉白心黄、味甜的是佳品。
血竭：敲断如镜光亮，取摩指甲红透才妙。
川续断：要像鸡脚节，节断皮黄皱的才真。
巴戟天：要中心紫而鲜洁的为真。
乳香：透明如滴乳头的好。有用松香假充，须察。
阿魏：切开五色，柔软的是真的；太软如泥的是假的。
川芎：形择重实洁白为良。油性的勿用。
桂枝：味辛甜香窜的是真的，味淡的无用。
川连：类鹰爪连珠，根毛细密，有菊花黄心的是真的；若皮色太黄，或毛粗而疏，或头尾等粗实心者俱忌服。
枣仁：粒粗胞满，色紫佳；细扁，色淡的无用。
首乌：有做成大的置地中，年余即生成；但皮嫩有筋，可辨。
鸦片：假的多。要柔软必带青香的是真的。
三七：味甜，以末投猪血中，血化为水的是真的。
漆：湿的用物蘸起，细而不断，断而急收涂竹木上速干的是佳品。
山茹菇：根须多的是真的；根少的是假的。
藿香：味辛香烈的是真的；不香的是假的，忌用。
怀山药：坚实细白的是真的；大而空松的是假的。
沙蒺藜：黑色粒粗的是真的；青色粒细的是假的。
肉桂：紫润味甜、甚辛香烈人的是真的。现在多假者，色紫油润可观，切片有细花白点、不甚辛香的忌服。
(For all medicinal materials, one must select the original branches and observe the effects after slicing to achieve excellence; if ready-made slices are used, it is feared that authenticity and quality will be difficult to distinguish.)
In the trade of medicine, merchants in the market often lack precise identification skills, making errors inevitable. The proverb says: "The seller has two bright eyes; the prescriber has only one eye; the patient is blind." This is not an empty statement. There are many deceptive tricks and frauds; the wise may rebuke them, but the foolish willingly suffer deception. Medicines intended for curing diseases instead cause death. Although Heaven may exact retribution in the unseen world, in haste, one may fail to verify the truth and wrongly blame the prescriber's error, which is common. However, compassion is inherent in human nature; do market merchants lack emotion? It is because people fear high prices for genuine goods, yet they cannot recognize true medicines in the world; conversely, cheap items are bought in succession. Thus, rare fakes pass as genuine, disregarding accumulated sins. Now, I, Qian Jun, have personally suffered from this disaster, witnessing it with a pained heart. To distinguish authenticity and categorize types, I will briefly list several points based on my personal trials for verification and correction below. This is indeed a matter of life and death, not trivial. One must investigate meticulously, discern shape and color, observe and taste odors and flavors, clarify authenticity, and avoid deviations in preparation and treatment. Better to pay a high price than to deceive oneself.
**Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma):** Short, stout, solid, round, and lustrous indicates full potency. Fake Ginseng is now widespread and must be carefully examined. If cut open, although the taste is sweet, the cut end may be slightly bitter, and saliva production becomes sticky rather than moistening like true Ginseng. Its color appears dull/stagnant, while other aspects seem similar. Nowadays, sellers collude with female peddlers, falsely claiming the source is leftover stock from local gentry or relatives' post-illness surplus. All such claims require careful scrutiny.
**E Jiao (Donkey-Hide Gelatin):** Genuine E Jiao is clear and transparent like ice, tastes sweet, and is never scorched or bitter; it is rare in the world. It is advised not to consume fake E Jiao. Fakes may appear greenish, scorched/bitter, or have a foul odor, often made from ox hide gelatin mixed with ink, damaging the stomach and spleen. Others are mixed with cheap drugs, appearing dry, overly soft, fragrant, sandy-black, lacquer-colored, or greenish-shiny—all are fake. Contemporary physicians frequently prescribe E Jiao and Qiu Shi (Autumn Stone). They then devise schemes, borrowing names of friends/relatives claiming these are treasured family heirlooms to sell substitutes.
**Dan Qiu Shi (Light Autumn Stone):** Those that dissolve easily upon entering the mouth are genuine; those slightly hard are likely imitations. Xiao Fen Shi Gao (Starch-based Gypsum) should be avoided; self-preparation is recommended. Verification follows.
**Xian Qiu Shi (Salty Autumn Stone):** Snow-white and bright is genuine.
**Zi Jin Ding (Purple Gold Pill):** Genuine pills exist in shops, but Musk (She Xiang) inside is very expensive and added in small amounts. True pills induce a penetrating fragrance in the mouth; Musk detected by nasal irritation confirms authenticity. Slow fragrance indicates a fake.
**Xi Jiao (Rhinoceros Horn):** Bright and fragrant is genuine. Nowadays, ox horn is commonly used as a substitute; lack of fragrance or presence of other odors helps identification.
**Gu Long (Dragon Bone/Fossilized Bones):** Fine grain patterns, five colors, and sticking to the tongue when licked are excellent. Avoid black-green varieties.
**Dan Xing (Arisaema with Bovine Bile):** Must have a strong bovine urine odor, extremely bitter taste, yellow-black bright appearance, and hardness indicate genuineness. Pig bile is often used to fake Dan Xing today; dried, black-soft, or non-lustrous specimens can be identified as fake.
**Niu Huang (Calculus Bovis/Bovine Gallstone):** Tender yellow, light and hollow, peelable layers, slight fragrance, and staining the fingernail upon rubbing indicate genuineness.
**Gui Jiao (Turtle Shell Gelatin):** Yellow with a foul odor indicates a fake.
**She Xiang (Musk):** Pungent taste; removing loose powder by finger rubbing indicates genuineness; pellet form is fake. Original capsules should have thin skin, few yellow hairs, be plump and soft (genuine); thick black skin, many hard hairs, and weak scent are fake.
**Bing Pian (Borneol):** Resembling fine plum blossom petals, light, clean, slightly white, and strongly pungent is genuine. Heavy, sand-like, fragmented texture is fake. Slices should vary in thickness; perfectly round shapes are fake.
**Xiong Dan (Bear Bile):** Many fakes exist. Drop a millet-sized amount into water; if it forms a continuous thread without dispersing, it is genuine. If it moves rapidly in water, it is good; slow movement indicates fake.
**Hu Jing Gu (Tiger Tibia):** Yellow-white is suitable for use. Slight blackness indicates drug injury and high toxicity; avoid. Long and flattened shapes are genuine; round, humped, uneven, or triangular shapes are fake.
**Ling Yang Jiao (Saiga Antelope Horn):** Look for sharp tips in the curve with hanging marks (genuine). Hearing a buzzing sound when held to the ear indicates good quality. Smooth, markless, old, and dry horns are fake.
**Lu Rong (Deer Antler Velvet):** Amber color, 3-5 cun long, plump flesh indicates full potency. Too long or black/dry is useless (likely Elk antler); too thin/short/tender suggests young deer velvet.
**Di Ru Shi (Stalactite):** Must resemble winter sugar dripping, 5-6 cun long, bright, hollow, and white (genuine). Protruding milk-like structures shorter than dripping sugar are fake.
**Cui Dan Fan (Green Copper Vitriol):** Block size like a chicken egg, cyan-blue like glass, shattering into square layers indicates genuineness. Market fakes often use Qing Fan (Green Alum) rubbed with vinegar; beware.
**Yun Mu (Mica):** White and lustrous, layered sheets that fold, transparent and light indicate genuineness.
**Yang Qi Shi (Actinolite):** Bright like egret feathers is genuine.
**Hu Po (Amber):** Blood-red, fully matured; grains absorbable through cloth wiping like mustard seeds are genuine.
**Zhu Sha (Cinnabar):** Sometimes adulterated with Xiong Huang (Realgar); inspect closely.
**Ge Jie (Gecko):** Flowered patterns shining brightly indicate genuineness. Four-legged frogs are sometimes used as substitutes; distinguish carefully.
**Hua Rui Shi (Flower Ore Stone):** Open to reveal flower-like white spots (genuine); absence indicates fake.
**Qing Fen (Calomel):** Bright like snowflakes, granular with spear-shaped protrusions are genuine; dark color, fine grains, no protrusions are fake.
**Chan Su (Toad Venom):** Sweet and numbing on the tongue, lifting the tongue indicates genuineness; non-numbing is fake.
**Chen Xiang (Agarwood):** Oily, cut surface like yellow wax is genuine. Black, horn-like pieces sold today are fake; avoid.
**Mu Ding Xiang (Mother Clove):** Date-pit sized is genuine; thin nail-like ones have less efficacy.
**Mu Xiang (Aucklandiae Radix):** Qing Mu Xiang (Vitalis Vine Root) is often used to deceive; distinguish. Hard, bone-like shape, bitter taste, and sticky teeth indicate genuine Mu Xiang. Qing Mu Xiang is smaller/thinner.
**Su He You Xiang (Styrax Oil/Fragrance):** Paste-like, red oil without dregs, intensely fragrant, penetrating palm when applied to back of hand, or glue-like consistency is genuine.
**Chen Pi (Citrus Reticulata Peel):** Do not use Ru Gan (Milk Citrus) peel; Zou Zi Pi (wrinkled seed peel) should be avoided. Market sellers often mix these in, deceiving buyers. True Ju Pi has fine veins, red and thin color, internal fibrous strands, bitter-pungent-fragrant taste. Gan Zi Pi has coarse veins, thick yellow color, white inner membrane, sweet-pungent taste, and is ineffective. You Zi (Pomelo) peel is sweet-pungent, thick/vacuous, coarser veins, yellow, membrane-heavy/no fibers, cold nature harmful to humans; avoid.
**Chuan Bei (Fritillaria Cirrhosa Bulb):** Sweet and light/fluffy is genuine; hard and bitter is fake.
**Bai Zhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma):** Sweet taste, extremely fine stems/leaves, many roots even if leaves show traces indicate wild Bai Zhu, which is effective. Sellers often cultivate more. Pale/bitter taste, thick/lush stems/leaves lacking vigor should not be taken.
**Di Huang (Rehmanniae Radix):** Old, knobby, solid skin with chrysanthemum-heart pattern is excellent. Lustrous soil-grown varieties, though large, are ineffective.
**Su Zi (Perilla Fructus):** Often counterfeited. Must have fresh grassy fragrance to be genuine.
**Yun Fu Ling (Poria with Pine Wood):** Hard, sliced with jade-like luster is genuine; white and loose soil-extracted Poria is ineffective.
**Qiang Huo & Du Huo:** Purple with dense nodes is Qiang Huo; yellow and blocky is Du Huo.
**Huang Qi (Astragali Radix):** Straight like an arrow shaft, soft like cotton, white flesh/yellow center, sweet taste is excellent.
**Xue Jie (Dragon's Blood):** Breaks cleanly with mirror-like luster; rubs red through fingernails effectively.
**Chuan Xu Duan (Dipsaci Radix):** Like chicken foot joints, yellow wrinkled skin at broken nodes is genuine.
**Ba Ji Tian (Morinda Officinalis Root):** Purple and fresh/clean center is genuine.
**Ru Xiang (Olibanum/Gum Resin):** Transparent like dripping nipple fat is good. Pine resin is sometimes used as fake; inspect.
**A Wei (Ferula Gum Resin):** Five colors when cut, soft is genuine; too soft/muddy is fake.
**Chuan Xiong (Ligusticum Chuanxiong Rhizoma):** Heavy, solid, pure white shape is good. Oily varieties should be avoided.
**Gui Zhi (Cinnamomi Ramulus):** Pungent, sweet, penetrating fragrance is genuine; bland taste is ineffective.
**Chuan Lian (Coptidis Rhizoma):** Resembles eagle claw beads, fine dense root hairs, chrysanthemum-yellow center indicates genuineness. Avoid if skin is too yellow, hairs are coarse/spaced, or uniform thickness/solid core.
**Bai Dou Kou (Black Cardamom):** Pungent, fragrant, cooling sensation in mouth is genuine; Cao Kou (Grass Cardamom) lacks cooling sensation; distinguishable.
**Zao Ren (Ziziphi Spinosae Semen):** Coarse, full husk, purple color is good; thin/flat, pale color is ineffective.
**Shou Wu (Polygoni Multiflori Radix):** Some are artificially grown large by burying for over a year; tender skin with fibers helps identification.
**Ya Pian (Opium):** Many fakes. Soft with greenish fragrance is genuine.
**Fu Zi (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata):** Flat top, iron-colored flesh, moist/glossy is excellent. Western Fu Zi has dry, white, large, weak flesh.
**San Qi (Notoginseng Radix):** Sweet taste; powder thrown into pig blood turns blood to water indicates genuineness.
**Qi (Tree Lac):** Wet lac lifted by object is fine and unbroken; breaks quickly and dries fast on bamboo/wood is excellent.
**Shan Ru Gu (Wild Mushroom):** Many rootlets indicate genuineness; few rootlets are fake.
**Xiang Ru (Elsholtziae Herba):** Straight, long, intense fragrance is genuine; short/thin/non-fragrant are soil-grown, cause abdominal pain if eaten; avoid.
**Huo Xiang (Pogostemonis Herba):** Pungent, intense fragrance is genuine; non-fragrant is fake; avoid.
**Huai Shan Yao (Dioscoreae Hypoglaucae Rhizoma):** Solid, fine, white is genuine; large, hollow, loose is fake.
**Sha Ji Li (Tribuli Fructus):** Black, coarse grains are genuine; green, fine grains are fake.
**Rou Gui (Cinnamomi Cortex):** Purple, lustrous, sweet, intensely pungent-fragrant is genuine. Many fakes today look purple/oily but have fine white flower spots and weak pungency; avoid.