Genuine medicinal materials (Dao-di medicines) are renowned for their superior quality and proven efficacy, and serve as a core marker for assessing and ensuring the quality of traditional Chinese medicine. However, due to the combined effects of the widespread adoption of modern cultivation techniques and market demand, the boundaries of traditional Dao-di producing regions are becoming increasingly blurred. Consequently, the accurate identification of Dao-di medicines is becoming ever more important. Significant progress has been made in the identification research of Dao-di medicines. Building upon traditional empirical identification methods, research in this field is now exhibiting a trend towards diversification. Through strategies such as assessment of characteristic morphological features, analysis of key constituents, molecular marker identification, multi-indicator combined analysis, and digital and intelligent recognition, Dao-di medicines have been comprehensively identified from various dimensions. In this article, we systematically reviewed various identification strategies and research progress regarding Dao-di medicines, including macroscopic morphological identification, microscopic identification, physicochemical identification, molecular identification, and digital and intelligent identification, thereby providing foundational reference materials for research into the identification of Dao-di medicines.

genuine medicinal materials  /  identification method  /  assessing quality by morphology  /  molecular identification  /  intelligent identification