Herbal Literature Research Through The Ages And Prescription Regularity Of Five Materia Medica On "Guangxi Ten Geo-authentic Potential Materia Medica"

Objective: Conduct a systematic documentation and study of the historical medical literature and the prescription regularity of five materia medica(LONGAN ARILLUS(Longyanrou),PHERETIMA(Guang Dilong),CURCUMAE(Guangxi Ezhu),SOPHORAE TONKINENSIS RADIX ET RHIZOMA(Shandougen),and ANISI STELLATI FRUCTUS(Bajiaohuixiang),referred to as “Guiwuwei” in the text)in “Guangxi Ten Geo-Authentic Potential Materia Medica(Guishiwei)”,which are widely used in traditional and ethnic medicine in Guangxi.Sort through and verify their literature origins and content,discuss the prescription regularity of their clinical applications.This study aims to enrich the literature documentation of“Guishiwei”,explore the cultural connotations of “Guishiwei”,and provide documentary and theoretical basis for the research and utilization of“Guishiwei”,so as to promote the development of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Guangxi.Methods:1.Literature research method.Literature related to the “Guiwuwei” is retrieved from databases such as the Chinese Medical Classics and the Airusheng Database,combined with the herbal literature in the General Catalogue of Ancient Chinese Medicine Books.Modern herbal literature are sourced from electronic resources such as CNKI,VIP Chinese Journal Database,Duxiu,Baidu,and manually retrieved from the library of Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine.These herbal literature is organized and studied for further analysis.2.Historical research method.Classify and organize the name,original plants/animals,origins and authentic producing areas,harvesting and processing,preparation,nature and taste,meridians,action trend,efficacy,indications,and usage taboos of “Guiwuwei”,sort out their historical evolution,and excavate the characteristics of each part in different historical stages from horizontal and vertical dimensions.3.Data mining method.Compound prescriptions containing “Guiwuwei” are selected from the Dictionary of Traditional Chinese Medicine Prescriptions(Zhongyi Fangji Dacidian),and then establish a database.Conduct frequency analysis on the prescriptions,and use the Apriori algorithm in IBM SPSS Modeler 18.0 for association rule analysis to summarize the prescription regularity of “Guiwuwei”.4.Comparative analysis method.Analyze the reasons for the evolution of the five materia medica through literature research,as well as the prescription regularity obtained through data mining,summarize the characteristics of the“Guiwuwei”,and provide suggestions for clinical medication and the development of modern herbal medicine industry.Results:1.LONGAN ARILLUS(Longyanrou)is first mentioned with the name“Longyan” in the Sheng Nong’s Herbal Classic(Shennong Bencao Jing)of the Eastern Han Dynasty,and in the medical literature of the Song Dynasty,the name “Longyanrou” was first used.Both in ancient and modern times,the original plant of LONGAN ARILLUS(Longyanrou)comes from the aril of Dimocarpus longan Lour.from the Sapindaceae family.Guangxi is the authentic producing area throughout history and has the highest production.The harvesting season is from July to September in both ancient and modern times.The main preparation method is purification,and the cooking methods include boiling,steaming,or winemaking.In ancient times,the medicinal properties evolved from mild to a warm,and now it is believed that the taste is sweet and the property is warm.In ancient times,it was believed that the meridians pertained to the organs governing the blood,but now pertaining to the heart and spleen meridians is considered.The trend of action is upward.From the Han Dynasty to the Song Dynasty,it had not yet been used in prescription.The Ming and Qing dynasties herbal literature attached great importance to its application in Spleen-Invigorating Decoction(Guipi Tang).During the Republic of China period,herbal literature began to use Western medical theory to explain its blood nourishing effect.It is not suitable for those with a full sensation in the middle energizer,internal heat,spleen deficiency,or diabetes.Frequent combinations include ANGELICAE SINENSIS RADIX(Danggui),GINSENG RADIX ET RHIZOMA(Renshen),JUJUBAE FRUCTUS(Dazao),ATRACTYLODIS MACROCEPHALAE RHIZOMA(Baizhu),ASTRAGALI RADIX(Huangqi),REHMANNIAE RADIX PRAEPARATA(Shudihuang)and PORIA(Fuling).Mainly used with tonifying qi and blood medicines,supplemented by diuretic,astringent,and calming medicines.The indications includes consumptive disease,insomnia,palpitations,cough,etc.It is most commonly used to treat consumptive disease with the pattern of heart and spleen deficiency,and there is a high degree of association with Spleen-Invigorating Decoction(Guipi Tang)medicines.2.PHERETIMA(Guang Dilong)was first referred to as “white-necked earthworm” in the Sheng Nong’s Herbal Classic(Shennong Bencao Jing)of the Eastern Han Dynasty,and it began to be called “Dilong” in the herbal literature of the Tang dynasty.The “white-necked earthworm”,most commonly used medicinal herb in ancient literature,is now known as the“Guang Dilong”.Its original animal was the dried body of the Pheretima aspergillum(E.Perrier)from the Megadrile family.The ancient books did not emphasize the authentic producing area.After the Republic of China,Guangdong became the authentic producing area,and Guangxi was also the main producing area.Historically harvested in March,however modern research suggests that harvesting from July to September yields better medicinal effects.Ancient preparation methods included purification,cutting,frying,grilling,and making into charcoal,while modern preparation methods primarily involve purification and alcohol processing.It has a salty flavour and cold property,and there was no consensus on its toxicity in ancient times.Modern toxicology researches have confirmed that the PHERETIMA(Dilong)has a slight toxicity.There is a great difference between ancient and modern understanding of its meridians,and now it is considered that it pertains to the liver,spleen and bladder meridians.From the Han Dynasty to the Southern and Northern Dynasties,its main efficacy was to clear heat and kill insects.From the Tang Dynasty to the Yuan Dynasty,it was highly valued for its ability to relieve wind and spasms.From the Ming Dynasty to the Republic of China,it was mainly used for dredging and activating meridians.Renewed attention was paid to the effect of relieving asthma after 1949.Usage should be cautious regarding dosage,avoiding use in cases of asthenic fever conditions and pregnancy.Frequently combined with ANGELICAE SINENSIS RADIX(Danggui),OLIBANUM(Ruxiang),MYRRHA(Moyao),MOSCHUS(Shexiang),ACONITI RADIX(Chuanwu),SCORPIO(Quanxie),SAPOSHNIKOVIAE RADIX(Fangfeng),CHUANXIONG RHIZOMA(Chuanxiong).Mainly used with blood-activating medicines,supplemented by tonifying qi and blood medicines.The indications includes arthralgia syndrome,stroke,sores,etc.Mainly used with tonifying qi and blood medicines,supplemented by diuretic,astringent,and calming medicines.The indications includes consumptive disease,insomnia,palpitations,cough,etc.It is most commonly used to treat arthralgia syndrome with the pattern of blood stagnation.The combination of PHERETIMA(Dilong)-OLIBANUM(Ruxiang)-MYRRHA(Moyao)-ANGELICAE SINENSIS RADIX(Danggui)is commonly used in prescriptions and there is a high degree of association with General Pain Stasis-Expelling Decoction(Shentong Zhuyu Tang)and Pain-Alleviating Powder(Chentong San)medicines.3.CURCUMAE(Guangxi Ezhu)was first mentioned in the A Supplement to Materia Medica(Bencao Shiyi)of the Tang Dynasty as the name of“Peng’eshu”,and it was not until the Ming Dynasty that the name “Ezhu” was first introduced.There has been a phenomenon of homonymous foreign objects with various plants of the Curcuma genus,and the medicinal part have evolved from tuberous roots to rhizomes.And it was determined that the original plant is the dried rhizomes of Curcuma kwangsiensis S.G.Lee et C.F.Liang of the Zingiberaceae family.Historically and presently,Guangxi is considered the authentic producing area.In ancient times,it was harvested in September,and modern researches indicate that the quality of materia medica harvested between January and March is higher.Ancient preparation methods included slicing,frying,roasting,stewing,boiling and charring,while modern preparation methods mainly involve slicing and vinegar boiling.Throughout history,it tastes pungent and bitter,and its medicinal property is warm.In ancient times,most medical practitioners believed that it pertained to the liver meridian.While in modern times,it is believe that it pertains to the liver and spleen meridians.And its action trend is rising and descending.From the Tang Dynasty to the Yuan Dynasty,it was regarded as “blood herb for regulating qi”.From the Ming Dynasty to the Republic of China,the previous belief that it could nourish qi was corrected.After 1949,it was mainly recorded for its functions of promoting qi,breaking blood,eliminating accumulation and relieving pain.It is contraindicated in the situations of deficiency without stagnation,pregnancy and menometrorrhagia.Frequently combined with SPARGANII RHIZOMA(Sanleng),CITRI RETICULATAE PERICARPIUM(Chenpi),AUCKLANDIAE RADIX(Muxiang),CITRI RETICULATAE PERICARPIUM VIRIDE(Qingpi),ANGELICAE SINENSIS RADIX(Danggui),ARECAE SEMEN(Binglang),CINNAMOMI CORTEX(Rougui).Mainly used with qi-regulating and blood-activating medicines,supplemented by qi and blood-tonifying as well as spleen-strengthening and appetite-promoting medicines.The indications includes masses,abdominal pain,menstrual disorders,childhood nutritional diseases,etc.It is most commonly used to treat masses with the pattern of qi stagnation and blood stasis.The combination of CURCUMAE(Ezhu)-SPARGANII(Sanleng)is commonly used in prescriptions and there is a high degree of association with Xiangleng Pill(Xiangleng Wan)medicines.4.SOPHORAE TONKINENSIS RADIX ET RHIZOMA(Shandougen)was first known as “Shandougen” in the Materia Media of the Kaibao Era(Kaibao Bencao)during the Song Dynasty.In ancient times,there were many cases of homonymous foreign objects with various plants,and now the root and rhizome of Sophora tonkinensis Gagnep.from the Fabaceae family serve as the original plant for SOPHORAE TONKINENSIS RADIX ET RHIZOMA(Shandougen).Since the Ming and Qing dynasties,Guangxi has been recognized as the authentic producing area.Traditionally harvested from August to September,modern researches indicate that the best quality of the medicinal material is from those three-year-old herbs collected in September.Preparation methods primarily include purification for raw use or slicing.The taste evolved from sweet to bitter,and the property changed from non-toxic to toxic.Now it is believed that the taste is bitter,the property is cold and toxic.The change of the taste and property is related to the change of original plant.There are significant differences in the understanding of meridians in all times,and now it is believed that it pertains to the lung and stomach meridians.And its action trend is descending.From the Song Dynasty to the Yuan Dynasty,it was used as a medicinal material for clearing heat and preparing for emergencies.From the Ming Dynasty to the Republic of China,it was regarded as a sacred medicine for relieving throat swelling and pain.After1949,it was mainly used for clearing heat,detoxifying,reducing swelling,and relieving sore-throat.Dosage should be carefully monitored,and it is contraindicated for those with spleen and stomach cold deficiency and asthenic fever.Frequently combined with GLYCYRRHIZAE RADIX ET RHIZOMA(Gancao),PLATYCODONIS RADIX(Jiegeng),BORAX(Pengsha),BORNEOLUM(Tianranbingpian),SCROPHULARIAE RADIX(Xuanshen),and MENTHAE HAPLOCALYCIS HERBA(Bohe).Mainly used with heat-clearing medicines,supplemented by surface-relieving,deficiency-tonifying and phlegm-dissolving medicines.The indications includes pharyngitis,18 types of throat diseases,acne,acute laryngitis,etc.It is most commonly used to treat pharyngitis with the heat pattern.The combination of SOPHORAE TONKINENSIS RADIX ET RHIZOMA(Shandougen)-GLYCYRRHIZAE RADIX ET RHIZOMA(Gancao)and SOPHORAE TONKINENSIS RADIX ET RHIZOMA(Shandougen)-GLYCYRRHIZAE RADIX ET RHIZOMA(Gancao)-PLATYCODONIS RADIX(Jiegeng)are commonly used in prescriptions and there is a high degree of association with Throat-Relieving and Toxin-Removing(Liyan Jiedu Tang)medicines.5.ANISI STELLATI FRUCTUS(Bajiaohuixiang)was first mentioned as“Boshanghuixiang” in the Song Dynasty’s Wang Gun’s Medical Prescriptions(Boji Fang),and later began to appear in Song Dynasty literature as“Bajiaohuixian”.Previously,there was a phenomenon of homonymous foreign objects with Foeniculum vulgare Mill.and Pimpinella anisum L.It is now determined that it originates from the dried mature fruits of Illicium verum Hook.f.from the Magnoliaceae family.In the Song Dynasty,it was mainly imported.And in the Qing Dynasty,Guangxi became an authentic producing area and it has been exported to foreign countries.Traditionally harvested in autumn,and now harvest in spring and autumn.Modern researches indicate that the best quality is obtained from September to October.Compared with Foeniculum vulgare Mill.and Pimpinella anisum L.,it has the sweetest taste and the medial warm property.It is now considered to have a pungent taste and warm property.In ancient times,it was thought to pertain to the kidney meridian,but now it is believed to pertain to the liver,kidney,spleen,and stomach meridians.It has an ascending action trend.From the Song Dynasty to the Ming Dynasty,as an important medicine for tonifying the gate of vitality.It was mostly used to treat hernia caused by external cold and internal heat from the Qing Dynasty to the Republic of China.After 1949,it was mainly recorded for its functions of warming yang,dispersing cold,regulating qi and relieving pain.It should not be consumed excessively,and is not suitable for those with internal heat.Frequently combined with AUCKLANDIAE(Muxiang),TOOSENDAN(Chuanlianzi),ACONITI RADIX(Fuzi),AQUILARIAE(Chenxiang),CINNAMOMI(Rougui),PSORALEAE(Buguzhi),and CITRI RETICULATAE PERICARPIUM VIRIDE(Qingpi).Mainly used with qi and yang-tonifying medicines,supplemented by blood-activating,qi-regulating and interior-warming medicines.The indications include hernia,consumptive disease,abdominal pain,spermatorrhea,etc.It is most commonly used to treat hernia with the pattern of cold coagulation and qi stagnation.The combination of ANISI STELLATI FRUCTUS(Bajiaohuixiang)-TOOSENDAN(Chuanlianzi)is commonly used in prescriptions and there is a high degree of association with Pain-Eliminating Pill(Juantong Wan)medicines.Conclusions:1.The overall evolution trend of “Guiwuwei” is moving towards scientific,normalized,and standardized directions.The evolution of medicinal name is influenced by the original plants/animals,origins,and usage habits of the earliest literature.The evolution of original plants/animals is related to their quality,identification techniques,transportation costs,and other factors.The changes in producing origin are related to natural factors as well as human factors such as politics,economy,culture,transportation,artificial cultivation,and the author’s experience.2.“Guiwuwei” is widely used in various fields of traditional medicine and ethnic minority medicine.In clinical applications,reducing toxicity and increasing efficiency can be achieved through reasonable compatibility and processing.3.The characteristics of “Guiwuwei” lie in rooted traditional culture,highlighting authentic advantages,witnessing the changes of the times,and showcasing national characteristics.