Dì Gǔ Pí (Tubular or trough-shaped, grayish-yellowish-brown, rough, with longitudinal cracks, easily peels off, light and brittle, white inside and odorless)

Dì Gǔ Pí (Upper Tianjin, Lower Quanzhou)

【Naming】

Dì Gǔ Pí

 【Source】

Shen Nong’s Herbal Classic, Superior Grade, Gou Qi (Lycium barbarum)

 【Commonly Used Degree】

B

 【Botanical Origin】

The dried root bark of Lycium Chinense Mill., family Solanaceae.

 【Characteristics】

It is a short, tubular or trough-shaped rolled piece, varying in size, generally 3~10cm long, 0.6~1.5cm wide, and about 3mm thick. The outer surface is grayish-yellow or brownish-yellow, rough, and easily peels off. The inner surface is yellowish-white, relatively flat, with longitudinal striations, and sometimes brown spots. It is brittle and easily broken. It has a slightly fragrant and sweet taste.
The processed slices are small transverse segments, brownish-yellow or yellowish-white, with a slightly sweet taste. Generally, if they are less than 3cm long, they are not cut transversely and are used directly.

 【Identification】

“Yi Fang Lei Ju”: “Dì Gǔ Pí is best when it is yellow and light to the touch; heavy ones are not genuine,” “Dì Gǔ Pí is best when freshly harvested.” “Liang Lie Jian Bie”: “The larger ones with a brownish-yellow color and root bark in a rolled shape are considered the best.”
It is similar in shape to Wǔ Jiā Pí (Acanthopanax gracilistylus bark), but Wǔ Jiā Pí is yellowish and has a special aroma, while Dì Gǔ Pí is greenish and odorless. Generally, the best quality is dry, large, thick, without a woody core, and free of impurities. Smaller, thinner ones are second best, and the loose, decayed floating skin that has fallen off is not suitable for use.

 【Identification Terminology】

1. White inside and odorless: This is the main identifying characteristic of Dì Gǔ Pí medicinal material. It refers to the root bark having a rough surface with longitudinal cracks, grayish-yellow to brownish-yellow, while the inside is whitish and odorless.

 【Category】

Bark Category