How to spot it

Traditional Chinese Medicine products made from endangered species are not always easy to identify, but it is possible to take some precautions to ensure that what you buy is legal.

If you buy a patented medicine, be wary of any products that include illustrations of animals on the packaging because the medicine may be made from that animal. (This is not always the case, however, as some products like Tiger Balm, for example, are not made from tigers.)

Manufactured medicines should list their ingredients on the packaging or inside the packet. Sometimes these will refer to endangered species by a medical name. For example:

• Os Tigris - Tiger bone
• Cornu Rhinoceri - Rhinoceros horn
• Fel Ursi - Bear bile
• Moschus - Musk

However, sometimes the line referring to the endangered species may be crossed out or covered by sticky tape. It is probably wise to be suspicious of any product that has been tampered with in this way. More information on how to recognise endangered species products is contained in the booklet Traditional Chinese Medicine and Endangered Species. Please let us know if you would like to order a copy of the booklet.

Finally, be prepared to ask questions. As a consumer you have a right to know what you are buying, so ask the trader or practitioner what the product contains, and tell them that you don't want to buy a product made from endangered species.

Remember, most products are not made from endangered species but let them know that this is important to you. If we can show Traditional Chinese Medicine traders and practitioners that selling endangered species products is not what the consumer wants, and is therefore bad for business, most of them would not do it.

Sticker scheme

Due to the success of the original sticker scheme in 1995, Operation Charm has relaunched it. Traditional Chinese Medicine traders who agree with our messages will be able to show their support, and their commitment to trading lawfully, by giving a pledge that they do no sell products made from endangered species and displaying one of these stickers in their window.

Look around London for shops displaying the Operation Charm stickers.