• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.1-12
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• 2013

Objectives: This was study about identifying fine seed herbs that are highly mixed together: Celosiae Semen, Celoisae Cristatae Semen, Cuscutae Semen, Perillae Semen. Methods: In non-distinctive herbs through sensory test, we can find accurate discriminative points by using a stereoscope. As a result, a new discriminative key was completed. Results: We identified a comparison of herbs which are mixed up in distribution. 1) In the case of Celosiae Semen and Celoisae Cristatae Semen, Celoisae Cristatae Semen which is mixed up is bigger and more glossy and especially have the sunk umbilicus. 2) In the case of Cuscutae Semen and Perillae Semen, Perillae Semen is discriminated by characteristic morado netting surface and impression of fruit stalk in the single-ended. 3) In the case of Cuscutae Semen which is distributed in three species, we discriminated by beak shape, location of umbilicus and vomiting thread shape or not when put in water. (1) Cuscuta chinensis has a weak beaky shape, an umbilicus in center and is vomiting thread shape when put in water. (2) C. australis has very weak beaky shape, an umbilicus beneath and is vomiting thread shape when put in water. (3) C. japonica has clear beaky shape, an umbilicus beneath and is not vomiting thread shape when put in water. Conclusions: A stereoscope can be effectively used for identifying fine seed herbs hardly distinguishable by sensory tests.