Top-geoherbs of traditional Chinese medicine: common traits, quality characteristics and formation

Front Med. 2011 Jun;5(2):185-94. doi: 10.1007/s11684-011-0141-y. Epub 2011 Jun 22.

Abstract

Top-geoherbs used in China are always featured with high qualities, and they grow in specified areas with specific environment. Recently, researches on top-geoherbs have attracted increasing attention in China and other countries. In order to have a thorough knowledge of top-geoherbs, this article reviews the concept, historical evolution, common trait and quality characteristics of top-geoherbs, and explains the forming mechanism including genetic mechanism and environmental mechanism. In addition, it introduces the influence of human factors on the quality of top-geoherbs. Finally, it proposes some problems that should be paid attention to in the researches on top-geoherbs.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • China
  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal / pharmacology*
  • Ecosystem*
  • Genetic Variation
  • Geography
  • Humans
  • Medicine, Chinese Traditional*
  • Phenotype
  • Plants, Medicinal / genetics*

Substances

  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal