Identification of common Chinese medicinal materials based on micro-morphological characteristics in traditional Chinese medicine pharmacies

This study systematically investigated the identification methods of traditional Chinese medicinal materials through microscopic morphological analysis combined with biomechanical principles. Firstly, select medicinal samples and clean the surface, observing the samples with different background colors and angles to reveal their microscopic morphological characteristics. In the process of observation and shooting, the parameters of microscope and camera were adjusted, and multiple images were synthesized using the Extended Field (EDF) technology to obtain high-resolution images and clearly present the microstructure of the medicinal materials. Then, FCSnap image processing software is used to enhance, adjust contrast, and perform hierarchical synthesis on the collected images to highlight key structural features of the medicinal herbs, such as cell wall patterns, oil chamber distribution, and fiber arrangement. After image processing, key microscopic features such as oil chambers and fibers were quantified through precise measurement of microstructure dimensions, which are directly related to the biomechanical properties of medicinal materials. For example, the distribution and density of oil chambers may be closely related to the mechanical strength, compressive strength, and volatile oil content of medicinal herbs. By comparing and analyzing the microscopic morphological characteristics of different medicinal herbs, this study reveals the relationship between structural features and biomechanical properties, providing a scientific basis for quality control and biomechanical research of traditional Chinese medicine.