1Graduate Institute of Chinese Medicine, College of Chinese Medicine, China Medical
University, Taichung, Taiwan
2School of Chinese Medicine, College of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University,
Taichung, Taiwan
【Summary】
The aim of this study is to identify the use of rou-guei through the medicinal material and the nature of medicinals in ancient documentation. The name and the use of rou-guei can be seen in many editions of materia medica, classical formula. However, the correct medicinal material and the use of rou-guei are still unclear. The result shows that the name of rou-guei was first used in Xinxiubencao (Su Jing) during Tang dynasty. But the medicinal material has already been used since Bencaojingjizhu (Tao Hongjing) during Liang dynasty: “There were only jiunguei and mu-guei in Shennongbencaojing. The use and appearance are similar. There are three kinds of guei at the time. The one with half rolled and full of oil which we called guei is the most used.” So the name of rou-guei is due to the half rolled appearance. Rou-guei was also first shown in the classical formula called Xiaopinfang (Chen Yanzhi) during Northern and Southern dynasties. The conclusion shows the appearance of the medicinal material of rou-guei is half rolled and full of oil. This kind of guei is separated from mu-guei. We should choose guei-sin rather than guei-jhih. The use of rou-guei is like the foregoingin Bencaojingjizhu (Tao Hongjing). This study can benefit the origin and source when using the medicinal material of rou-guei.
Keywords:rou-guei, guei-sin, materia medica, classical formula, nature of medicinals