International Journal of Clinical Case Reports 2024, Vol.14, No.1, 14-22 http://medscipublisher.com/index.php/ijccr 16 Therefore, the distinction between Chinese medicinal herbs and Chinese medicinal materials lies in the former referring to plants or their parts with pharmacological effects, while the latter denotes processed raw materials derived from these herbs. These materials are used in the preparation of Chinese patent medicines or taken directly as medicinal substances. Chinese medicinal herbs form the foundation of TCM, while Chinese medicinal materials constitute a crucial component in the formulation of Chinese patent medicines. Together, they complement each other, contributing to the rich and intricate system of TCM. 1.2 Sources and preparation methods of traditional Chinese medicine The sources of TCM mainly fall into three categories: plants, animals, and minerals. Plant medicine refers to drugs extracted from plants, which can be obtained from both wild and cultivated plants. Commonly used parts include roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits, etc. The collection of plant medicine is typically based on the growth season and the specific medicinal parts of the plant, requiring harvesting at specific times to ensure optimal efficacy. After being collected, plant medicine undergoes processing methods such as air-drying, drying, and roasting to become raw materials for Chinese medicinal materials or Chinese patent medicines. Animal medicine refers to drugs extracted from animals, obtained either from inside or outside the animal's body. Its sources include animal organs, bones, body fluids, etc. (Figure 3). Common animal medicinal herbs include deer antler, bear bile, turtle shell, etc. The collection of animal medicine must adhere to legal and regulatory guidelines to protect animal resources and the ecological environment. Mineral medicine refers to drugs extracted from minerals, primarily natural minerals or ores such as sulfur, cinnabar, etc. Mineral medicine needs to undergo grinding and processing before use. Figure 3 Animal medicine The preparation methods of TCM mainly include drying, processing, extraction, grinding, and compatibility. Drying is the process of drying or drying collected plant medicinal materials to lose excess moisture and maintain their efficacy and quality. Processing involves heating or treating the Chinese medicinal herbs to alter their taste, characteristics, and medicinal effects. Different processing methods, such as roasting, baking, and stewing, are applied to different Chinese medicinal herbs. Extraction refers to soaking the Chinese medicinal herbs in solvents such as water or alcohol to extract their active components, creating herbal decoctions or concentrated liquids. Grinding involves milling dried plant materials into powder, facilitating the preparation and consumption of formulations. Compatibility involves combining and matching different Chinese medicinal herbs according to the theories of TCM to create herbal formulas with specific therapeutic effects (Sun et al., 2015). The preparation methods of TCM are derived from the theories and empirical knowledge of TCM. These methods, developed through extensive practical testing and validation, have preserved the efficacy and therapeutic effects of Chinese medicinal herbs, making significant contributions to the development and inheritance of TCM. Meanwhile, the collection and preparation of TCM must adhere to legal and regulatory principles to ensure the ethical and sustainable use of natural resources and the protection of the ecological environment.
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