蜡匮——古代的“肠溶剂”

“La Gui(Wax-Sealed)”——Ancient Enteric Solvents

“匮”法,是中药丸剂的特殊加工方法。但现当代学界几乎未曾述及。文章考证认为,“匮”法大约起于宋代,“匮”字用其引申义“封藏”。其核心做法有二:一是将药末用蜡封藏后作丸;二是将常规药丸用蜡封藏起来。蜡匮的药丸在服用后,将迟滞到下消化道发生作用、还可减少峻猛药物的毒副作用。因此蜡匮法可算是古代的肠溶剂。

The"Gui"method is a unique processing method of Traditional Chinese Medicine pills.However,it has hardly been mentioned in the modern academic setting.According to the analysis of the articles,the"Gui"method is believed to be originated in the Song dynasty,and stands for"sealant".There are two main methods:one is forming a pill by sealing the medical powder directly with wax;the other is sealing the pill itself with wax.The purpose of wax-sealed pills is to postpone the metabolism of the medicine before arriving at the lower gastrointestinal tract.This reduces the side effects of potent drugs.Therefore,the wax-sealed method can be regarded as an enteric solvent used in ancient times.