Distinguishing Bai Shao from Chi Shao is usually not so difficult with the raw drugs, because although both come from the same plant, one form (Chi Shao) still has the root bark, whereas Bai Shao does not. It becomes more difficult when there is a granulate. In this case, macro- or microscopy is not possible for differentiation, so it must be ensured that another method, of course one that involves a reasonable effort and thus affordable costs, is capable of showing the difference.
