The popular Chinese medicine "Liu Wei Di Huang Wan" was recently involved in an alleged storm of heavy metals. Prof. Zhu Guofu of the School of Pharmacy of Traditional Chinese Medicine at Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine stated that while he was complaining about the injustice of traditional Chinese medicines, he also said that the Chinese medicine industry should really strengthen the control of the safety indicators of Chinese medicine in order to gain the trust of the people.

It is reported that China's first limit standard for heavy metals, pesticide residue, and aflatoxin in Chinese medicine has been publicized to the public and is expected to enter the Chinese Pharmacopoeia as a national standard.

There are many factors that cause excessive levels of heavy metals

Prof. Zhu Guofu said that Liu Wei Di Huang Wan originated from the “Pediatric Drug Permits” of Song Dynasty medical scientist Qian Yi. It is a good recipe for nourishing kidney yin. Even if it is taken for a long time, there have been no reports of drug poisoning or heavy metal poisoning. Medical research proves that this party can also prevent precancerous lesions and improve human immunity. It has been verified by pathology and clinical experiments, but patients with chills and cold and heavy wet weight should not take it.

Regarding the questioning of excessive levels of heavy metals in Chinese medicine, Prof. Zhu Guofu believes that there are many factors that cause excessive levels of heavy metals in Chinese medicine. Some animal, marine and mineral medicines contain heavy metals themselves. The state has a clear standard for the use of such medicines. Like many western medicines, it is itself toxic, but it conforms to the standards. Unique efficacy. With the changes in the degree of cultural acceptance, it is believed that such traditional Chinese medicines will gradually gain international recognition.

Formulate Chinese medicine residue testing standards

For pesticides and heavy metals exceeding the standard of non-animal, marine and mineral medicines, the National Pharmacopoeia Commission has long been formulating countermeasures for the detection of Chinese medicine residues before the “Liu Wei Di Huang Wan” storm. The purpose is to use the 2010 edition of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia. On the basis of this, we will increase the safety index control programs for Chinese medicines, especially the control of heavy metals and harmful elements, aflatoxins, and pesticide residues.

On October 25, on the basis of discussion and deliberation by a group of professional committees including Chinese medicine, physical and chemical analysis, and biological verification, the National Pharmacopoeia Commission published on its website the publication of the "Restricted Standards for Heavy Metals, Pesticide Residues, and Aflatoxins, etc.". Until the end of April next year, the draft standard will be publicized on the Internet and receive feedback.