牡丹名实再辨

Reexamination of Mu Dan and the tree peony

通过对古代相关医药文献进行深入研究,并以古代考据学研究成果、文艺作品以及观赏牡丹的栽培时间作为旁证,对牡丹名实进行更为全面系统的考辨。经研究得出,初唐以前,牡丹主要是紫金牛属植物的名称;古代药物名实之间不完全是一对一的关系,一对多的情况也十分常见,通过开展相关考证可以为中药学研究提出新的思路与线索。

The name of the Chinese medicinal plant peony(Mu Dan)was discussed widely in many studies,but has not been fully substantiated to date.This paper examined the history of the tree peony in China and reviewing early relevant medical literature by drawing on the results of historical studies,early literacy works and the cultivation time of ornamental peonies.The paper found that the Chinese plant named Mu Dan was normally referred to as the Ardisia species before the early Tang Dynasty.The plant names and physical items in terms of medicinal materials were not equivalent but one-to-many in most cases.This research attempts to provide a basis for further research.