Concept of Species and Its Role and Significance in Study of Chinese Medicines
物种概念及其在中药研究中的作用和意义

The concept of species in TCM original is the basic concept and nuclear content of medicinal materials with biological origin and also the fundamental factor which has impact on the safety and effectiveness of Chinese medicines as well as the stability of their quality. This article deeply explores and analyzes the concept of species, discusses some ways and biological essence of the intraspecific variation of Chinese medicinal materials, expounds views and methods concerning species in the study of TCM, points out the important role and significance of species or strains in the safety, effectiveness and stability of Chinese medicines, and finally puts forward views on species and countermeasures for making use of biological diversity.