The storage of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has specific requirements for shelf types, which need to be comprehensively selected based on its physical properties (such as shape, weight), storage conditions (moisture-proof, ventilation, light avoidance, etc.), and management needs.

The following are suitable shelf types and design points for storing TCM:

I. Core Needs Analysis

✅ Pest and mildew prevention → Requires a dry and ventilated environment
✅ Clear classification → Divided by efficacy, herbal type, or processing method
✅ Strong load-bearing capacity → Some herbal medicines have high density (such as minerals and rhizomes)
✅ Easy to clean and disinfect → Meets pharmaceutical hygiene standards
✅ Flexible access → Frequently used medicinal slices need convenient access

II. Recommended Shelf Types and Features

1️⃣ Heavy-duty shelving (mainstream choice)
- Applicable scenarios: Bulk loose herbal medicines (such as Astragalus, Angelica), packaged finished medicinal packages.
- Advantages:
✔️ Multi-layer structure makes full use of vertical space, single-layer load capacity can reach more than 200kg;
✔️ Adjustable layer spacing to adapt to containers of different heights;
✔️ Combined with the label system to achieve precise positioning.
- Detail optimization: Add moisture-proof pads to the bottom and leave ventilation gaps at the top.

2️⃣ Drawer-type combination cabinet (traditional + modern fusion)
- Applicable scenarios: Precious fine materials (ginseng, antler), toxic herbal medicines or varieties that require strict control.
- Advantages:
✔️ Independent sealed units prevent cross-contamination of odors;
✔️ Locking function ensures security;
✔️ Transparent acrylic material makes it easy to quickly identify the contents.
- Typical application: Upgraded version of the "Baizi cabinet" in TCM clinics, combined with electronic labels to improve efficiency.

3️⃣ Flow-through shelving (FIFO management)
- Applicable scenarios: High turnover daily medicines (cold medicine granules and powders).
- Advantages:
✔️ Inclined track allows goods to automatically slide to the front, avoiding backlog and expiration;
✔️ Combined with barcode scanning to achieve intelligent inventory turnover monitoring.
- Note: Only suitable for small-package standardized products, not suitable for irregularly shaped objects.

4️⃣ Cantilever racking (special shape adaptation)
- Applicable scenarios: Long strip-shaped rhizome-type (licorice), vine-type herbal medicine display and display.
- Advantages:
✔️ No front baffle design facilitates the storage and retrieval of bundles;
✔️ Labels can be hung to indicate origin/batch information.
- Extended usage: Combined with LED light strips to highlight key varieties and enhance visual guidance.

III. Material Selection Guide

| Component | Recommended Material | Reason |
||-||
| Column | Cold-rolled steel with powder coating | Rust-proof and strong load-bearing capacity |
| Shelf | Galvanized steel plate or stainless steel mesh | Good air permeability, helps to dissipate moisture |
| Surface coating | Environmentally friendly powder electrostatic spraying | Acid and alkali corrosion resistance, easy to clean and disinfect |
| Accessories | ABS plastic corner protectors + rubber pads | Reduce collision damage, anti-slip and shock absorption |

IV. Industry Innovation Case Reference

🏥 TCM room renovation plan of a certain tertiary hospital: Using a modular combination system, including:
• Constant temperature and humidity control area - equipped with precision air conditioning and dehumidifier, storing gum-type decoctions;
• Intelligent rotary cabinet - automatically extracts high-frequency medicines through a robotic arm, shortening dispensing time;
• Visual inventory wall - LED display screen displays inventory status in real time, linked to replenishment reminders.

🌿 Standardized configuration of chain pharmacies: Uniformly use sloped shelves (inclination angle ≤5°), ensuring that granules naturally slide to the pick-up point, improving efficiency by more than 30%.

V. Pitfalls to Avoid⚠️

❌ Avoid wooden shelves from being in contact with water for a long time, causing mildew;
❌ Avoid using open shelves to store aromatic volatile herbal medicines (menthol is easily lost);
❌ Do not stack too high to obstruct the coverage of the fire sprinkler system.

Summary Suggestions

Choose the basic configuration according to the actual business scale: small and medium-sized clinics can choose a combination of light metal shelves and drawer cabinets; large medical logistics centers are recommended to use an automated three-dimensional warehouse system. Regularly conduct shelf load tests (recommended every six months), and establish a "first-in, first-out" management system to ensure that the quality of medicinal materials is controllable.