How to distinguish the authenticity of Dendrobium officinale
Dendrobium officinale, as a valuable Chinese medicinal material, has been highly sought after in recent years for its nourishing and health-preserving effects. However, a large number of fake and shoddy products have appeared on the market. In order to help consumers better identify genuine and fake Dendrobium officinale, this article will analyze it from multiple dimensions such as appearance, smell, taste, price, etc., and provide practical identification methods.
1. Comparison of authenticity and fakeness of Dendrobium officinale
| Discriminating Dimensions | Genuine Dendrobium officinale | Fake Dendrobium officinale |
|---|---|---|
| Appearance | There are rust-colored spots on the surface, the texture is hard, and the cross-section is fibrous. | Uniform color without spots, soft texture and smooth cross-section |
| smell | Has a light herbal fragrance | Odorless or pungent chemical smell |
| Taste | Sticky to teeth after chewing, with a gelatinous texture | It is non-sticky after chewing and tastes like ordinary plant stems. |
| price | The market price is higher (10-30 yuan per gram) | The price is obviously low (1-5 yuan per gram) |
2. Detailed identification methods
1. Look at the appearance:Genuine Dendrobium officinale has obvious rust-colored spots on its surface, which is one of its most distinctive features. The stems are uniform in thickness and hard in texture. Counterfeit products are often too uniform in color, or have been dyed and have unnatural spots.
2. Smell:Genuine Dendrobium officinale has a unique herbal fragrance without any pungent smell. If you smell chemicals, it’s probably a low-quality product that has been smoked with sulfur.
3. Taste:Take a small piece and put it in your mouth to chew. The real thing will have a distinct sticky feeling because it is rich in polysaccharides. Counterfeit products do not have this characteristic and taste just like ordinary plant stems.
4. Water soak test:Soak Dendrobium officinale in warm water. The genuine Dendrobium will gradually release a light yellow color and the water will become slightly viscous. Counterfeit products either do not fade or fade too quickly and have abnormal colors.
5. Fire test:Take a small amount of the sample and burn it with fire. The real product will leave white ashes with a faint burnt aroma after burning. Counterfeit products may leave black residue and a pungent smell after burning.
3. Common methods of counterfeiting
| Counterfeiting methods | Identification method |
|---|---|
| Dyeing treatment | The color will fade if wiped with a damp cloth, and the color will be abnormal after soaking in water. |
| Sulfur smoked | There is a pungent sulfur smell and the color is too bright. |
| Common dendrobium fake | No rust spots, price is significantly lower |
| artificial synthesis | The texture is too uniform and has no natural texture |
4. Purchase suggestions
1. Choose formal channels to purchase, such as large pharmacies, well-known brand stores, etc.
2. Check whether the product has formal production license, inspection report and other qualification documents.
3. Don’t be greedy for cheap, and be extra vigilant if the price is significantly lower than the market price.
4. When purchasing, you can ask the merchant to provide a sample for testing first.
5. Keep the purchase receipt so that you can safeguard your rights if any problems are discovered.
5. Storage method
Genuine Dendrobium officinale should be stored in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. It can be placed in a sealed container and added with a small amount of desiccant. Properly preserved Dendrobium officinale can be stored for 2-3 years without deterioration.
Through the above methods, consumers can greatly reduce the risk of purchasing fake Dendrobium officinale. Remember, the identification of high-quality Dendrobium officinale requires a combination of methods, and it is difficult to make an accurate judgment based on one characteristic alone. When purchasing, be sure to observe and test more to ensure you are buying genuine Dendrobium officinale.
Final reminder: Although Dendrobium officinale is good, it is not suitable for everyone. It is recommended to use it under the guidance of a professional physician, and do not take supplements blindly.
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