As Chinese herbal medicines and its preparations have become widely used at home and abroad

their safety problems have also been highlighted and concerned. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is widely believed to be safe and non-toxic

but the toxicity of TCM is present indeed. At present

the research on the toxicity of TCM is still in the exploration stage

and the basic research still needs to be accumulated; in addition

TCM has its unique characteristics

so it is imperative to deepen its toxicity research and safety evaluation and related products. By integrating the views and results of literature and related research at home and abroad

this paper would successively elucidate related concepts of TCM toxicity and adverse reactions

analyze the hierarchical relationships in TCM toxicity research:descriptive study (toxic reaction characteristics and material basis)

interpretive study (toxicity mechanism and pharmacokinetics characteristics)

application and management study (detoxification by processing

detoxification by compatibility

risk benefit assessment and clinical management)

list the representative examples of toxicological test methods and results (conventional toxicity test

specific toxicity test) as well as the safety evaluation of health food and raw materials

and propose the suggestions and prospects of how to gradually solve the safety problem of TCM (quality standard

scientific preparation and application

and pharmacovigilance

et al)

in turn from the aspect of literature background

key problems

classical methods and countermeasures. A picture of TCM safety evaluation would be comprehensively and accurately described

and the innovation in ideas and methods would be introduced to bring a comprehensive and prospective reference for researchers.