NCCAOM Herbal Board Practice Exam

Good quality Bai He is evaluated by the bulb’s firmness, fleshiness, and the appearance of its scales. A healthy Bai He is fleshy and hard to the touch, with white, tightly packed scales that are uniform in size. The presence of leaf veins on the scales indicates the bulb is properly developed and has been stored well without damage. This combination shows freshness, proper drying, and minimal decay, making it the best description of good quality.

Non-ideal options reflect problems: soft, flaky scales imply deterioration; brownish-yellow color with holes points to damage or spoilage; green leaves attached suggest improper processing or incomplete drying.