The Rural Development Administration (RDA) has provided guidelines for post-harvest management to ensure the quality and safety of medicinal crops and to maintain their pharmacological properties. The pharmacological properties of medicinal crops begin to change immediately after harvest, so it is best to wash, dry, and sort them as soon as possible.
Washing should be done with clean water to remove impurities, but the washing time should be controlled to prevent water-soluble pharmacological components from dissolving. After washing, the crops should be thoroughly dried to prevent microbial growth in humid environments. Drying is a crucial process for determining the quality of medicinal herbs, and it is important to ensure proper air flow during natural drying and to maintain the appropriate temperature when using a dryer.
For storage, clean and safe packaging materials should be used, and desiccants should be included to prevent moisture and spoilage. High humidity in storage facilities can promote microbial activity, leading to spoilage, so regular ventilation is necessary. For long-term storage, the position of the medicinal herbs should be changed periodically, and they should be placed at a distance from walls and floors to prevent moisture damage and condensation.
Ma Kyung-ho, head of the Special Crop Breeding Division at the National Institute of Horticultural and Herbal Science, emphasized the importance of systematic quality management throughout the entire process, from variety selection to storage, for the stable industrialization of medicinal crops. He stated that adhering to standard management techniques (GAP, GACP) and utilizing Medicinal Crop Distribution Centers (APC) would enable reliable raw material supply for both industries and consumers.