Abstract
This paper summarizes the authors' recent work on trace elements (TEs) in the Chinese medicinal herbs (CMHs) and hot springs from Hainan Island, China. The review encompasses: (a) distribution features of TEs in four CMHs and their decoctions, (b) modulation and control of the distribution modes of TEs in water decoctions, (c) analysis of CMHs for mercury and its removal from water decoctions and (d) contents of minerals and trace elements in two tropical hot springs in Hainan Island. We illustrate contents and distribution features of trace elements in medicinal materials and their decoctions of four CMHs (Areca Seed, Villous Amomum Fruit, Morinda Root, and Sharpleaf Galangal Fruit) and two hot springs. We describe a novel method for optimizing the decocting technology from the aspect of trace elements, which is expected to control the quality of decoctions. In addition, we present briefly two methods for the Hg removal from decoctions of CMHs.
