Analysis of the Application of“Jing(精)”in Ben Cao Gang Mu(《本草纲自〉Compendium of Materia Medica)

Taking the Ben Cao Gang Mu(《本草纲目》Compendium of Materia Medica)(Jinling edition金陵本)as the research object and“Jing”as the search term,this article summarizes the quantity of medicinals containing“Jing”in Ben Cao Gang Mu,analyzes the connotation and application of“Jing”in traditional Chinese medicine,and finds that the application of“Jing”in medicine does not deviate from the original meaning of“Jing,”but endows it with the concepts of medicine and pharmacy,and expands the application scope of“Jing.”This study is helpful to understand and use spermicide more reasonably.

Curculigo (仙茅):A Gift from Brahman(婆罗门)Monks

Curculigo(仙茅)is also called“Only Thatch Root,”“Ground Palm,”and“Brahman Ginseng.”The name of the“Only Thatch Root”vividly describes its shape characteristics.The nickname“Ground Palm”figuratively shows its growth environment and form feature.The another name“Brahman Ginseng”emphasizes the source,the value,and the efficiency of the immortal grass The name of“Curculigo”fully expresses its function feature and the application to the ancient regimen culture.Curculigo is not only a sacrificial offering often used by Brahmins to pray for good fortune and dispel disasters,but also used as a special medicine for nobles to live longer.After its introduction into China,Curculigo has been widely applied in both religious development and health preservation.

Indigo Naturalis(青黛)Comes from Blue,but It Excels Blue

Indigo naturalis(青黛)is also called“indigo flower,”“bright cyan,”and“cyan clam powder.”The alias“indigo flower”shows its complex progress about producing dyes.The alias“bright cyan”vividly displays the visual characteristics of indigo naturalis.Its another alias“cyan clam powder”implies its properties,flavors,and particular morphologic characteristics.The name of“indigo naturalis”emphasizes its wide use in ancient times to paint their eyebrows.Indigo naturalis,which comes from the Persian Kingdom,wins the favor and praise of customers in the respects of dye and cosmetics in both Eastern and Western Regions.It not only shows the infinite charm of dye culture in the Western Regions and provides a visual sensation for people,but also adds new color for Chinese medicine culture.

Haritaki (诃子), Holy Medicine of Buddhism

Haritaki(诃子,Terminalia chebula Retz.)is also called“Big golden fruit,”“Wind‑floating fruit,”and“Arura.”The alias“Big golden fruit”shows its appearance characteristics,the name of“Wind‑floating fruit”implies its harsh living environment and tenacious vitality,and another name of“Arura,”which comes from Tibetan,emphasizes the medicinal value of Haritaki as valuable as rhinoceros horn.The Chinese name of“He Zi(诃子)”expresses the main purpose of Buddhism to universalize all living beings and save the spirit.The Haritaki tree is regarded as the holy tree of Buddhism in the folk.It is also respected as a holy medicine of Buddhism.Since it was introduced into China from India,it has been widely used as a health-preserving medicine.Haritaki,which is from Indian Buddhist culture,not only unravels the mysterious Buddhist culture but also excavates the connection and development of Indian Buddhist culture and traditional Chinese medicine.

Frankincense,a Special Spice Walking Along the Silk Road

Frankincense is also called“Fumigated land,”“Horsetail spice,”and“Godsend spice.”The alias“Fumigated land”shows its strong fragrance that can cover the whole land.The name of“Horsetail spice”implies its morphologic characteristics and mild effects,and another name of“Godsend spice”indicates its functions of relieving swelling and pain,healing sore,and growing muscle,as if it is the grace donated by God.The name of“Frankincense”displays its complex productive progress.With thick quality and strong fragrance,frankincense acts as daily supplies for religious activities and folk activities due to its low price and a wide range of uses in medicine and daily life.Frankincense shows the infinite charm of spice culture along the Silk Road from the distant Western Regions to the East.At the same time,it enriches the treasure house of traditional Chinese medicine and becomes one of the most popular spices in both eastern and western,nobility and common.

Styrax, Emperor’s Cream from the Western Regions

Styrax is also called“emperor’s cream”and“consciousness-regaining spice.”The alias“emperor’s cream”shows its rarity and preciousness with a strong aroma,and another name of“consciousness-regaining spice”implies its functions of active brain and regaining consciousness,dispelling filth with aroma,and relieving pain.The name of“Styrax”displays its complex productive progress and place of origin.With thick quality,heavyweight,and fragrant smell,Styrax gets further application in beauty,skin care,clothes fumigating,and health keeping after introduced into the Central Plains(central China)from the Western Regions.The name of Styrax not only embodies the mellow appeal of spice culture in the Western Regions but also suggests the history of relationship between foreign culture and traditional Chinese medicine.Furthermore,it indicates the broad mind of“all rivers running into sea”and inclusiveness of Chinese culture.

Maqianzi (马钱子 Strychnos), A Poisonous Medicinal Native to the Western Regions

Maqianzi(马钱子Strychnos)is also called“Fanmubie(番木鳖),"“Kushi(苦实)”and“QianJi drug(牵机药).”The alias“Fanmubie”shows its origin and its characteristics.The name of“Kushi”implies its taste and flavor.“Qianji Drug vividly shows the clinical manifestations of the poisoning of Maqianzi.The name of“Maqianzi”is the comprehensive display of its characteristic,toxicity,etc.,Maqianzi is famous for its poison,which is often used in the treatment of various intractable diseases.It shows the poison Culture in the Western Regions,meanwhile it also displays the unique charm of Traditional herbs in transforming poison into treasure.

Pretreatment with Jieduxiezhuo decoction impedes elevations in serum uric acid levels in mice

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether Jieduxiezhuo decoction(JDXZD) can prevent serum uric acid elevations in mice. METHODS: Hyperuricemia in mice was induced by intraperitoneally administering uric acid(250 mg/ kg). Concentrations of uric acid in serum were determined using the uric acid enzyme method. Mice were treated with JDXZD for 4 days before uric acid was administered. RESULTS: After intraperitoneal injection of uric acid, serum uric acid concentrations in mice significantly increased. However, the levels of uric acid in groups pretreated with 16.25 or 4.06 g/kg of JDXZD were significantly lower than those in the model and normal groups. CONCLUSION: Pretreatment with JDXZD slowed increases in serum uric acid levels in mice intraperito-neally administered uric acid.