Using authentic and high quality herbs is critical in producing safe and high quality products. Thats why Sun Ten has formed a Raw Herb Sourcing team consist of experts in chemistry, botany, and TCM herbs specialize in herb sourcing and herb identification. Sun Ten collaborates only with reliable herb suppliers that can provide herbs growing locations, and our sourcing team conducts onsite investigation periodically. Following are some examples of raw herbs authenticity, safety, and possible misuse that showed our effort and commitment in providing safe & high quality products.
1. Commonly misused herb: Niu Xi
Authentic Niu Xi should be either Huai Niu Xi (dried root of Achyranthes bidentata B1) or Chuan Niu Xi (dried root of Cyathula officinalis Kuan) depending on the formulas, whereas Wei Niu Xi (dried root or stem of Strobilanthes forrestii Diels) is commonly misused for both Huai Niu Xi and Chuan Niu Xi because Wei Niu Xi is more abundant and cheaper. From the perspective of functional emphasis, Huai Niu Xi is for pain and soreness affecting the lower back and knees due to deficiency, whereas Chuan Niu Xi is for pain due to wind-dampness to invigorate the channels and blood. In Sun Ten, Niu Xi are authenticated and differentiated by macroscopic, microscopic identification, TLC, and HPLC fingerprints to ensure Huai Niu Xi and Chuan Niu Xi are used correctly in the appropriate formulas.
2. Herbs that are free of Aristolochic Acid
The Aristolochic Acid controversy of the 1990s highlighted the need for accurate herb identification and Aristolochic Acid analysis. Many Aristolochic Acid related problems could have been avoided if the herbs in question had been identified and analyzed. Sun Ten uses only non-Aristolochiaceae family plant, for example Feng Fang Ji (Stephania tetrandra S. Moore) is used instead of Guan Fang Ji (Aristolochia fangchi Wu). Mu Tong (Akebia quinata) is used instead of Guan Mu Tong (Arisolochia manshuriensis). USFDA published an analytical method by LC-MS for testing of Aristolochic Acid in botanical products. Besides using non-Aristolochiaceae family plant, Sun Ten still conducts Aristolochic Acid testing using the analytical method published by the USFDA to ensure all products containing these herbs are free of aristolochic acid.
3. Herbs contaminated with heavy metals:Hong Hua
Flos Carthami or Hong Hua, the dried flower of Carthamus tinctorius L. (Fam. Compostiae), literally means red (Hong) flower (Hua) in Chinese. Because of its name, Hong Hua is commonly misconceived should be completely red in nature, like Crocus sativus or Xi Hong Hua. The flower of Flos Carthami is yellow at early stage of blooming (Figure 1) and its color gradually turns to red. Normally at the time of harvest, the color of Flos Carthami should be mixture of yellow and red color (Figure 2). It is a common practice by growers to apply red dye of unknown chemical onto the yellow Flos Carthami to make them completely red, causing the lead (Pb) content of the herb to exceed 100 ppm. Sun Ten requires our collaborated supplier not to apply any red dye and set the lead (Pb) specification at less than 10 ppm according to international specification.
4. Improper fumigation with sulfur dioxide: Gou Qi Zi
The proper drying process of Lycium Fruits (Gou Qi Zi) is by drying, cleaned and processed Gou Qi Zi, naturally under sun. If the drying process is not controlled well enough, the dried Gou Qi Zi may be discolored from oxidation and rotting. In addition, if not stored properly, Gou Qi Zi is easily infected by pest and mold due to its high nutritious content. A common but improper practice to preserve Gou Qi Zi is to fumigate with sulfur dioxide. Sulfur fumigated Gou Qi Zi is resistant against pest, microbial and mold growth, and appears freshreddish color that is extremely appealing at sight. Sulfur residue remained in the raw herbs is proven to be harmful. Sun Ten selects Gou Qi Zi berries cultivated and harvested from Ninxia province and ensures the collaborated supplier not to treat Gou Qi Zi with sulfur fumigation.
5. Herbs likely to be contaminated with aflatoxin: Huang Qi, Yi Yi Ren, Shan Zha, etc
Improper storage is one of the major factors causing the growth of aflatoxin producing molds and it is a major element that can be controlled by the manufacturer. Upon arrival, raw herbs are placed in a quanrantine section in temperature and humidity monitored Sun Ten raw herb warehouse. QC staffs will take samples and analyze to screen for its aflatoxin content before the herbs are released for production. USFDA set an action level for aflatoxins at 20 ppb for all foods, wherein Sun Ten set the aflatoxin specification at below 15 ppb.
The case samples mentioned above are just part of the works that we are doing, there are much more herbs with similar problems. In order to continute providing safe and high qualtiy herbal products, Sun Ten Raw Herbs Sourcing Team is constantly sourcing high quality, authentic raw herbs to meet international standard.
