The treatment of wastewater from traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) pharmaceutical production is crucial for the industry’s green transformation and ecological conservation. It reduces removes high-concentration pollutants, prevents soil and water contamination, safeguards ecological and human health, and supports sustainable industry development. However, due to the complex composition of TCM raw materials and diverse extraction processes, the resulting wastewater contains substantial amounts of organic matter, suspended solids, and refractory substances. It exhibits characteristics such as high organic pollutant concentration, significant water quality fluctuations, and strong toxicity and unpleasant odors. Traditional treatment processes consume high energy, exhibit low degradation efficiency, generate substantial carbon emissions, and impose greater environmental burdens, making treatment significantly more challenging than for conventional industrial wastewater. Guided by the “dual carbon” policy and focusing on the two core objectives of “reducing energy consumption and enhancing energy reuse,” this study reviews pharmaceutical wastewater treatment technologies. It summarizes low-carbon treatment strategies and techniques for TCM pharmaceutical wastewater, analyzes their technical pathways and application essentials, and explores future development trends. The aim is to provide practical insights for the green transformation and low-carbon development of the TCM pharmaceutical industry.

traditional Chinese medicine wastewater  /  wastewater treatment technology  /  “dual carbon” goals  /  green and low-carbon  /  carbon footprint