Banlangen granules are a combination of several herbs, which should be taken under medical guidance. [Photo by LIU JIAO / FOR CHINA DAILY] SHANGHAI -- The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has published an international standard for isatis indigotica root or banlangen, a traditional Chinese medicinal herb commonly used for the prevention and treatment of colds. The herb has a long history of use in China and other East Asian countries for removing heat and toxins, cooling the blood and clearing the throat. However, problems such as different quality requirements among different countries and regions may affect the herb's clinical effectiveness and safety, according to a document posted on ISO's website. Formulation of the ISO standard was led by a research team from China's Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine and also involved experts from Germany, Canada, Australia, Thailand and the Republic of Korea. The project lasted 34 months and the standard was published earlier this month. Wang Zhengtao, a member of the Chinese research team, said the standard mainly specifies the minimum technical requirements for isatis indigotica root such as heavy metals and pesticide residues as well as the herb's test methods. The publication of the standard is expected to improve the international influence of isatis indigotica root and boost the trade of the herb across the world, Wang said. Herbal medicine is an important part of traditional Chinese medicine, which boasts a history of more than 2,000 years and has gained global attention for its unique theories and practices. wristbands canadacustom silicone bracelets canadarubber bracelets canadasilicone bracelets canadasilicone wristbands canadacustom wristbands canadacanadian wristbandswristbands canada
More inmates will be rehabilitated outside of prison with the aim of helping them return to society, an official of China's top justice authority said on Saturday.About 2 percent of prisoners can be given parole now, which is obviously low and needs to be increased further, said Zhang Jun, minister of justice. The remainder of the prison term for an inmate can be regarded as probation, and during that period we can rehabilitate him or her within the community.Rehabilitation outside prison can effectively help inmates integrate into society and engage in the workforce, and the inmate will finally contribute to ensuring social safety, Zhang said after the opening session of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.An inmate who commits a new crime or violates rules while on probation will be returned to prison, he said.In the past, rehabilitating inmates was taken as the responsibility of judicial authorities, but such work to some extent is a social issue that requires help from all walks of life, he said.Zhang confirmed that prison management and safety has been improved in the past few years, saying that the number of inmates who escape is small compared with the nearly 4,000 a year 10 or 20 years ago.Just as boosting rehabilitation in prison, not allowing criminals to run away and enhancing prison officers' working abilities are important, social forces like rehabilitation in communities should also be strengthened, he added.Ruan Chuansheng, a criminal law professor at the Shanghai Administration Institute, gave a thumbs-up to the minister when he heard that the number of inmates on parole will rise.The increase is not only good for inmates, ... but it also can save on prison costs, he said.Under Chinese Criminal Law, people sentenced to 10 years or more in prison for violent offenses, including homicide, rape and arson, cannot be paroled.He said community rehabilitation has worked in Shanghai. Some inmates on parole are monitored through tracking devices, which helps community officials know where they are, he said. He suggested the parole percentage can be increased step by step across the country.
