ISO 25099:2026

International
Standard
ISO 25099
First edition
Traditional Chinese medicine —
2026-02
Curcuma phaeocaulis, Curcuma
kwangsiensis and Curcuma wenyujin
rhizome
Médecine traditionnelle chinoise — Rhizome de Curcuma
phaeocaulis, Curcuma kwangsiensis et Curcuma wenyujin
Reference number
© ISO 2026
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ii
Contents Page
Foreword .iv
Introduction .v
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Descriptions . 2
5 Quality and safety requirements and recommendations . 4
5.1 General characteristics .4
5.2 Morphological features .4
5.2.1 Curcuma phaeocaulis rhizome .4
5.2.2 Curcuma kwangsiensis rhizome .5
5.2.3 Curcuma wenyujin rhizome .5
5.3 Identification .5
5.3.1 Microscopic identification . . .5
5.3.2 Thin-layer chromatography (TLC) identification .8
5.3.3 High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) identification .8
5.4 Moisture .8
5.5 Total ash .8
5.6 Acid-insoluble ash .8
5.7 Residual sulfur dioxide .8
5.8 Ethanol-soluble extractives .8
5.9 Essential oil.8
5.10 Marker compound(s) .8
5.11 Heavy metals .8
5.12 Pesticide residues .8
6 Sampling . 9
7 Test methods . 9
7.1 Macroscopic identification .9
7.2 Microscopic identification .9
7.3 Thin-layer chromatography (TLC) identification .9
7.4 High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) identification.9
7.5 Determination of moisture .9
7.6 Determination of total ash .9
7.7 Determination of acid-insoluble ash .9
7.8 Determination of residual sulfur dioxide .9
7.9 Determination of ethanol-soluble extractives .9
7.10 Determination of essential oil . .9
7.11 Determination of marker compounds .9
7.12 Determination of heavy metals .9
7.13 Determination of pesticide residues .10
8 Test report .10
9 Packaging, storage and transportation . 10
10 Marking and labelling . 10
Annex A (informative) Thin-layer chromatography (TLC) identification .11
Annex B (informative) High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) identification and
determination of germacrone content .13
Annex C (informative) National and regional quality requirements for Curcuma rhizome .16
Bibliography .18

iii
Foreword
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This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 249, Traditional medicine, Subcommittee SC 1,
Traditional Chinese medicine.
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iv
Introduction
Curcuma rhizome, the dried rhizome of Curcuma phaeocaulis, Curcuma kwangsiensis and Curcuma wenyujin,
is widely used as a herbal medicine in China and many other countries. This herb is also known as “E’zhu”
or zedoray/zedoary. In traditional Chinese medicine, the herb can enhance blood circulation, alleviate chest
discomfort, and treat abdominal distension and pain. Modern pharmacological studies have demonstrated
that Curcuma rhizome exhibits good anti-tumour, anti-thrombotic, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic effects.
The market, yield, and trade volume of Curcuma rhizome develop rapidly in recent years.
Curcuma rhizome has been recorded in several pharmacopoeias and standards, including the Chinese
[1] [2] [3]
Pharmacopoeia , the Japanese Pharmacopoeia , the Korean Pharmacopoeia and the Hong Kong Chinese
[4]
Materia Medical Standards . The requirements and specifications in these standards vary. Therefore, it is
important to develop an International Standard for harmonizing the existing standards, as well as ensuring
the safety and effectiveness of Curcuma rhizome, which can benefit farmers, consumers, enterprises and
governments involved in the production, regulation and trade of this herb.
As national implementation can differ, national standards bodies are invited to modify the values given in
5.5 in their national standards. Examples of national and regional values are given in Annex C.

v
International Standard ISO 25099:2026(en)
Traditional Chinese medicine — Curcuma phaeocaulis,
Curcuma kwangsiensis and Curcuma wenyujin rhizome
1 Scope
This document specifies requirements and test methods for Curcuma rhizome (Curcuma phaeocaulis,
Curcuma kwangsiensis and Curcuma wenyujin rhizome).
It is applicable to the Curcuma rhizome that is sold and used as a natural medicine in international trade,
including Chinese materia medica (whole medicinal materials) and decoction pieces derived from the plant.
This document does not apply to the processing methods and processed products of Curcuma rhizome.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content constitutes
requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references,
the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO 18664, Traditional Chinese medicine — Determination of heavy metals in herbal medicines used in
Traditional Chinese Medicine
ISO/TS 21310, Traditional Chinese medicine — Microscopic examination of medicinal herbs
ISO 21371, Traditional Chinese medicine — Labelling requirements of products intended for oral or topical use
ISO 22217, Traditional Chinese medicine —Storage requirements for raw materials and decoction pieces
ISO 22258, Traditional Chinese medicine — Determination of pesticide residues in natural products by gas
chromatography
ISO 22590, Traditional Chinese medicine — Determination of sulfur dioxide in natural products by titration
ISO 23723, Traditional Chinese medicine — General requirements for herbal raw material and materia medica
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminology databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https:// www .iso .org/ obp
— IEC Electropedia: available at https:// www .electropedia .org/
3.1
Curcuma rhizome
dried rhizome (3.2) of Curcuma phaeocaulis Valeton, Curcuma kwangsiensis S. G. Lee et C. F. Liang and Curcuma
wenyujin Y. H. Chen et C. Ling
Note 1 to entry: In China, Curcuma phaeocaulis, Curcuma kwangsiensis and Curcuma wenyujin are commonly known as
"Peng E’zhu", "Guangxi E’zhu", and "Wen E’zhu".

3.2
rhizome
creeping rootstalk
main stem of a plant that sends out roots and shoots from its nodes
[SOURCE: ISO 13615:2024, 3.2]
4 Descriptions
Figure 1 illustrates the structure of Curcuma phaeocaulis, Curcuma kwangsiensis and Curcuma wenyujin
rhizomes, which are collected in winter when the stem and leaves wither. They are washed clean, steamed
or boiled thoroughly, dried in the sun or dried at a low temperature (not more than
...