中药蒸法的历史沿革分析

Analysis on Historical Evolution of Steaming Methods of Traditional Chinese Medicine

蒸法是一种传统中药炮制方法。笔者以《历代中药炮制法汇典》(古代)一书为线索,并核查本草原著,从蒸制方法、蒸制品种、蒸制工艺质量控制方法、蒸制目的 4个方面对蒸法的历史沿革进行了整理与分析。梳理后发现蒸法起源于春秋战国时期的清蒸法,到后来增加各种辅料蒸法等共56种蒸制方法。蒸制品种宋代记载最多,达104种,宋代新增品种也最多,有90种;南方各省市炮制规范中记载的蒸制品种较多,其中广东省有43种。蒸制工艺质量控制方法唐代有蒸软、蒸熟、蒸极黑、蒸干、蒸制时间、蒸制次数;宋代增加蒸至气香味甘、蒸烂;明代增加毒性药物蒸至不麻舌无毒,到清代增加蒸润等。蒸制目的历代主要记载有增强补益作用、缓和药性、减少副作用、降低毒性、除去非药用部位、便于切制等,现代增加了保存药效、利于贮存等目的。从蒸制发展历史过程来看,春秋战国到汉代是蒸制发展的萌芽期,南北朝、唐、宋是蒸制发展的快速期,明、清是蒸制发展的繁荣期。通过对蒸制历史沿革的整理和总结可为蒸制技术的研究和发展提供参考。

Steaming is a traditional processing method of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM). In this paper,taking the Collection of Processing Methods of TCM(Ancient Times)as a clue and checking the original herb books,the historical evolution of TCM steaming was sorted out and analyzed from four aspects,including steaming method,steaming variety,quality control method of steaming process,and steaming purpose. The results showed that the steaming method was originated from the Spring and Autumn period and the Warring States period. Afterwards,a total of 56 steaming methods were recorded. The most steamed varieties recorded in Song dynasty were 104,and the most newly added varieties in Song dynasty were 90. The steamed varieties recorded in the processing specifications of southern provinces and cities were higher than those of northern provinces and cities,including 43 in Guangdong province. The quality control of steaming process in Tang dynasty included steaming time,steaming times,softening by steaming,etc. In the Song dynasty,the steamed until aroma and sweet and steaming rotten were increased. In the Ming dynasty,the poisonous drugs steamed until no numbness of tongue and nontoxic was increased,and in the Qing dynasty,steaming and moistening was added. The main purposes of steaming in the past dynasties were recorded as enhancing the tonic effect,moderating the medicinal properties,reducing side effects,etc. In modern times,the purposes of preserving medicinal effects and facilitating storage were increased. From the perspective of the historical process of steam development, the Spring and Autumn period and the Warring States period to the Han dynasty were the embryonic period of steam development,the Southern and Northern dynasties,Tang and Song dynasties were the rapid periods of steam development,and the Ming and Qing dynasties were the prosperous periods of steam development. This paper can provide reference for the research and development of steaming technology.