Chinese Medicine Regulatory Office

Government Chinese Medicines Testing Institute

Chinese Medicines Herbarium

Background
In the 2015 Policy Address, the Government announced the planning and development of a testing centre for Chinese medicines to be managed by the Department of Health. The testing centre, now named as the Government Chinese Medicines Testing Institute (GCMTI), will specialise in the testing of, and scientific research on, Chinese medicines with a view to setting internationally recognised reference standards for the safety, quality and testing methods of Chinese medicines. Pending the establishment of the permanent GCMTI, a temporary institute has been set up in the Hong Kong Science Park and has commenced operation in phases from March 2017.
Traditional Chinese medicine is a treasure of the Chinese nation, which embodies the essence of the Chinese traditional culture. As Chinese medicines constitute an important part of traditional Chinese medicine, Chinese Medicines Herbarium has been set up in the GCMTI in the Science Park with an aim to promote the development of Chinese medicine in Hong Kong by collecting and managing of Chinese medicines and Lingnan herbal medicines specimens, as well as providing physical specimens for comparative identification and studies.

We hope that Chinese Medicines Herbarium can support the research and testing of Chinese medicines via the collection and management of various specimens of Chinese medicines and other traditional herbs, as well as to promote public knowledge of Chinese medicines through display of specimens.

Functions

• To provide authoritative specimens and to promote the research of Chinese medicines through the collection of medicinal materials specimens with their corresponding source plants specimens and microscopic slides; and
• To give public a better understanding of Chinese medicine and to inherit culture of Chinese medicine.

Plants Specimens
Medicinal Materials Specimens
Microscopic Slides

Voucher Specimens of Hong Kong Chinese Materia Medica Standards Zone

The Hong Kong Chinese Materia Medica Standards (HKCMMS) project has been carried out since 2002. Standards of over 270 Chinese Materia Medica (CMM) have been compiled so far in HKCMMS with more than 3 000 specimens collected from Hong Kong and Mainland. In this exhibition area, some of the voucher specimens are displayed, such as CMM with multiple sources, CMM from different growing areas, and “Daodi medicinal materials”.

CMM with multiple sources
CMM are mostly from plants. Plants with close genetic relationship often manifest similar chemical compositions and similar clinical effects. In order to expand medicinal resources, some CMM will have more than one source from the same genus, for example, Rhei Radix et Rhizoma.
Multiple-sources of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma
Rheum palmatum Rheum tanguticum Rheum officinale

CMM from different growing areas
There is a close relationship among the chemical composition, morphological features, production areas and growing environments of CMM. You may find in our herbarium, a collection of CMM (for example Panacis Quinquefolii Radix) from different growing areas.
Panacis Quinquefolii Radix from different growing areas
From Ontario, Canada (ID: 06164210100199002CM-qu01)
From British Columbia, Canada (ID: 06164210100199002CM-qu02)
From Wisconsin, USA (ID: 06164210100199002CM-qu03)
From Jilin, China (ID: 06164210100199002CM-qu04)

“Daodi medicinal materials of China”
“Daodi medicinal materials” are defined as the medicinal materials that are selected via long-term clinical application and are produced in specific geographic regions. They are also subjected to specific harvesting and processing methods. Compared with those of the same botanical origin produced from other regions, “Daodi medicinal materials” are traditionally and widely recognised and reputable for their outstanding quality and clinical effects. In China, “Daodi medicinal materials” are divided into categories, such as Guan, Bei, Huai, Zhe, Chuan, Xi and Guang.
“Daodi medicinal materials” from different categories
Ginseng Radix (Guan medicinal materials)
Glehniae Radix (Bei medicinal materials)
Glycyrrhizae Uralensis Radix et Rhizoma (Xi medicinal materials)

Lingnan Herbal Medicines Zone
Lingnan herbal medicines refer to herbal medicines which are produced in Guangdong, Guangxi and Hainan provinces etc., commonly used by Lingnan local peoples. A majority of samples displayed in this exhibition area are collected by our staff from Hong Kong's countryside after obtaining a licence from Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD).

Featured Showcase
Hong Kong was once a famous trade port of Agarwood, hence it is believed that Hong Kong (which means “Incense Harbour”) had derived its name from it. Agarwood, a famous and precious Chinese medicines, is the resin-containing wood of Aquilaria species (Thymelaeaceae). The trade in wild Agarwood is now controlled by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. Specimens of Agarwood (a courtesy of AFCD) are now displayed in our Chinese Medicines Herbarium, as a remembrance of the indissoluble bonding between Agarwood and Hong Kong.
Apart from Agarwood, some other wild sources of Chinese medicines have also become endangered due to destruction of their habitat or being over-exploited. Also displayed in the featured showcase are specimens donated by AFCD, including rhinoceros horns, an antelope horn and scales of pangolin to promote awareness on the protection and sustainable use of Chinese medicines resources.
Over 3 300 plants species have been found in Hong Kong with at least 16 of them being first discovered in Hong Kong and hence named after it. In the lower section of the showcase, eight watercolour paintings (drawn by a local artist) of species which were named after Hong Kong are displayed, to reflect the unique characteristics of Hong Kong.
Asarum hongkongense (left) & Aristolochia westlandii (right)

Thematic Showcases
This zone shows different thematic subjects regularly. Themes on display include: ingredients of traditional herbal teas, various specifications of Angelicae Sinensis Radix and its decoction pieces, famous and precious Chinese medicines, easily confused Chinese medicines and western herbal medicines.
Famous and Precious Chinese Medicines
Ingredients of Traditional Herbal Teas

Easily Confused Chinese Medicines
Seven pairs of easily confused Chinese medicines that are easily confused in Hong Kong are displayed. Species confusion is a major problem affecting the safety and quality of Chinese medicines, which may be due to the use of regional-custom-herbs, mixed use of herbs of close species, confusion of nomenclature or similarity of appearance.
Acanthopanacis Cortex (left) and Hedyotidis Caulis (right)

Western Herbal Medicines
Twelve herbs that are commonly used in the West are displayed. Like Chinese medicines, Western herbal medicines also have a long medicinal history. With natural medicines gaining popularity, the use of Western herbal medicines and its preparations has spread all around the world. An example is Purple Coneflower which can be found in the Hong Kong market.
Purple Coneflower (left) and Marigold (right)

Contact Us
Address: 7/F, BioTech Centre 2, 11 Science Park West Avenue, Phase 2, Hong Kong Science Park, Shatin, N.T.
Tel: 2209 9476
E-mail: gcmti_herbarium@dh.gov.hk

Location

By Public Transport:Kowloon Motor Bus 272K, 272S, 43P, 74D, 74P Green minibus No. 27
By Car: Pak Shek Kok Entrance to Hong Kong Science Park
GCMTI’s website

The information in this pamphlet may be re-disseminated or reproduced, provided that the Government Chinese Medicines Testing Institute (GCMTI), as the source of information, is acknowledged and that the re-dissemination or reproduction is for non-commercial use. Any other reproduction, adaptation, distribution, dissemination or making available of the information in this pamphlet for commercial use is strictly prohibited unless prior written authorization is obtained from the GCMTI.