By Eric Brand

This is a brief abstract of a research project that I am working on. This is not an official press release, just a little foreshadowing of what is to come:

Authentication is a multidisciplinary specialty within Chinese herbal medicine that focuses on the correct identification of medicinal products. Over the centuries, many different regional substitutes and adulterants have been introduced into the herbal marketplace, and many herbs that have similar names and appearances are easily confused. To achieve reliable therapeutic results and avoid potentially harmful substitutes, it is essential for Chinese medical practitioners to use correctly identified herbal medicines.

The present study represents a collaborative effort between researchers at the American Herbal Pharmacopoeia, Hong Kong Baptist University, China Medical University in Taiwan, and NYCC. The study assesses the prevalence of adulterants at U.S. schools of Chinese medicine before and after specialized training is provided in product discernment. Eric Brand, a TCM advisor to the American Herbal Pharmacopoeia, will collect samples of 24 commonly confused herbal medicines at U.S. schools and will provide training in product discernment to clinic managers and faculty at those institutions. At a one year follow-up visit to each school, samples of the same 24 herbs will be taken to assess the effects of education on the prevalence of adulterants at the institution. In each case, the samples will be de-identified (blinded) and recorded by Roy Upton, the Executive Director of the American Herbal Pharmacopoeia (Roy will also be doing a parallel project for Western herbal medicines). The samples will then be sent to Prof. Zhao Zhong-Zhen at Hong Kong Baptist University and Prof. Chang Hsien-Cheh at China Medical University for identification and authentication. Profs. Zhao and Chang are well-known specialists in herbal authentication and both are TCM advisors to the American Herbal Pharmacopoeia. Additionally, Prof. Kevin Ergil and Prof. Jason Wright of Finger Lakes School of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine of NYCC will be contributing to the study design and methodology. Kevin heads the American Association of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine’s taskforce on safe herbal medicine compounding and Jason is the Chair of Herbal Medicine for the Council of Colleges of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.

Background:

In my normal life beyond this research project, I work at Blue Poppy as an herbal medicine and sourcing specialist. This particular research project has been made possible by a generous contribution by Blue Poppy to the American Herbal Pharmacopoeia team. Blue Poppy has no competing interests (the project deals with raw herbs, which are not a part of our business); we are simply dedicated to advancing education in the field of Chinese medicine. The AHP team is grateful for Blue Poppy's support in this academic project, and Blue Poppy is honored to have the chance to contribute to this important scientific endeavor.