The manufacture of any quality herbal dietary supplement should first start with correct botanical identification. (Seems like it should go without saying….)
Here is a photo of some of the botanical tools of the trade when it comes to making that correct identification through taxonomic identification.
It starts with observing the whole plant, and making sure you get the correct plant part(s) that is used in a taxonomic key (like the Jepson Manual pictured here, which is now conveniently online) to determine between species.
As the features that are used for identification may be tiny, it is important to have the right tools in order to clearly observe them; such as a scalpel, loupe, tweezers, and teasing needles. Possibly even a microscope could be called for, as sometimes distinguishing details are mind-bendingly small!
Thank you Nootropics Depot and Omnient Labs (https://omnientlabs.com/) for caring about doing quality right, and Mary Andrews, GISP for nerding out with me. 🤓 🌿
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