Objective: To compare the chemical components of Herba Pogostemonis and Herba Agastachis rugosae, and develop a new method for the identification of them.
Methods: Comparing the chemical components in volatile oil of Herba Pogostemonis and Herha Agastachis rugosae by GC-MS, and identifying leaves of them by micro-characteristics.
Results: Patchouli alcohol (71.45%), the major component of Herba Pogostemonis, was its characteristic constituent and pulegone (37.58%) was the major component and characteristic constituent of Herba Agastachis rugosae. Two cells formed the head of glandular hairy in Herba Pogostemonis, while only one formed the head of glandular hairy in Herba Agastachis rugosae. The nonglandular hair was mainly constituted by one to three cells in Herba Pogostemonis, while one to four cells constituted the nonglandular hair in Herba Agastachis rugosae.
Conclusion: A simple and dependable identification method has been developed for Herba Pogostemonis and Herba Agastachis rugosae.