Pharmacy of Sinomedicne mainly includes the contents of nature , function
,contraindication, dosage, usage, classification and compatibility of drugs,as
well as prescriptions and others .
The nature ,function ,contraindication and
classification of drugs are discussed mainly in this section .
[1].Nature and Function of Drugs
(1).Four Natures
A.Outline Four natures refers to that drugs have four different
natures , that is , cold , hot , warm and cool . Some drugs have mild nature ,
and cold and hot tendencies of these drugs are not obvious , so it is called
neutral nature .
Four natures are summarized according to the different responses and curative
effects occurring after action of the drugs on human body. The drugs which can
clear away heat and toxic materials , cool the blood , and purge fire ,being
used to treat heat-syndrome are mostly cold-natured or cool-natured ; the drugs
which can eliminate cold-evil , warm the interior , strengthen yang , and
invigorate vital energy , being used to treat cold-syndrome are mostly
warm-natured or hot-natured .
(2).Five Flavours
A.Outline Five flavours refer to acrid ,sweet ,sour , bitter and salty
flavours . Some drugs also have bland flavour or astringent flavour .
Acrid flavour : Having the effects of dispersing , promoting vital energy
circulation , promoting blood circulation , or moisturizing and nourishing ,and
others.
Sweet flavour : Having the effects of invigorating , regulating the middle
warmer , relieving spasm ,and others .
Sour flavour : Having the effects of inducing astringency and arresting
discharge .
Astringent flavour : Having the same effects as sour flavour .
Bitter flavour : Having the effects of relaxing the bowels to expel
interior-heat , sending down the adverse flow of vital energy to expel heat-evil
, clearing away heat , depriving evil wetness ,and fortifying yin .
Salty flavour : Having the effects of softening hard lumps , dispelling nodes
, purgating and others .
Bland flavour : Having the effects of eliminating wetness and promoting
diuresis .
Many drugs have more than one flavour . The effects of the drugs with more
than one flavour are more complicated .
Every drug has nature and flavour . Only considering both nature and flavour
of a drug can we overall understand and correctly use this drug .
(3).Channel Trapism
A.Outline Linking the effects of a drug with the relation of the
zang-organs or fu-organs and the channels to explain the treating effects of
this drug to pathological changes of the certain zang-organs , fu-organs or
channels ,is called channel tropism .
In " Emperor's Canon of Medicine " ,the discussion on " five kinds of
entering " and " five kinds of going " , was recorded . " Five kinds of entering
" is : sour flavour enters the liver , bitter flavour enters the heart , sweet
flavour enters the spleen , acrid flavour enters the lung ,and salty flavour
enters the kidney . " Five kinds of going " is : sour flavour goes to the tendon
, acrid flavour goes to the vital energy , bitter flavour goes to the blood ,
salty flavour goes to the bone , and sweet flavour goes to the muscle .
Determination of channel tropism of most drugs bases on the treating effects
of the drugs .
Some drugs which can guide potency of other drugs to reach the regions of
pathological changes or the certain channels are called channel guiding drugs .
(4).Lifting , Lowering , Floating and Sinking
A.Outline Lifting , lowering ,floating and sinking refer to the
tendencies of action of the drugs . The drugs with different tendencies of
action can perform regulation to different tendencies of syndromes .
Generally speaking ,upward and outward actions are called lifting and
floating , downward and inward actions are called sinking and lowering . These
actions of the drugs have close relation with the factors , such as natures and
flavours of the drugs , thickness or thinness of odour and flavour of them
,light or heavy qualities of them , methods of preparation of the crude drugs ,
compatibility and prescription of the drugs , and others .
For natures and flavours of drugs , the acrid ,sweet and warm drugs have the
effects of lifting and floating ; the bitter , sour , salty , cold and cool
drugs have the effects of sinking and lowering . For thickness or thinness of
odour and flavour , among the acrid and warm drugs ,those with thin odour can
mostly promote sweating to expel exogenous evils from body surface and lifting
up yang energy , while those with thick odour can mostly warm the interior and
expel cold ; among the bitter , salty and cold drugs , those with thick flavour
can mostly clear away heat and purge while those with thin flavour can mostly
promote downward movement and discharge of feces and urine .
For light or heavy quality of drugs , flowers and leaves of plants have
lighter , quality and they can mostly lift and float , seeds and fruits of
plants , and minerals have heavier quality and sticky and greasy nature , and
they can mostly sink and lower.However ,there are exceptions to this rule ,for
example , Flos Inulae is flower , but it can lower;Fructus Arctii is fruit , but
it can lift .
For methods of preparation of the crude drugs ,the drugs prepared with
alcohol have the effect of lifting ; those prepared with ginger juice (
Succus Zingiberis ) have the effect of dispersing ; those prepared with
vinegar have the effect of astringing ; those prepared with salt have the
effects of going to the kidney and travelling downwards.
For compatibility of the drugs , when a lifting or floating drug is matched
with a series of sinking and lowering drugs ,the former can also fall with the
latter ; when a sinking or lowering drug is matched with a series of lifting or
floating drugs ,the former can also rise with the latter.
[2].Contraindication of Drugs
Contraindication of drugs includes contraindication of drugs
incompatibility,contraindication of drugs in pregnancy and contraindication of
foods in drugs' taking . Contraindication of drugs in pregnancy and
contraindication of foods in drugs' taking will be discussed here mainly.
(1).Contraindication of Drugs in Pregnancy
A.Outline The drugs which are harmful for pregnancy can be divided
into two kinds ,that is , the drugs contraindicated and those used with caution
.
The drugs contraindicated are mostly the drugs with stronger toxicity or
those with more violent effects . The drugs used with caution are mostly the
drugs with violent effects or those with mild toxicity.
The drugs contraindicated can not be used absolutely; the drugs used with
caution must be used according to the gravida's condition properly , but if it
is not necessary , usage of these drugs must be avoided as far as possible.
B.Principle The drugs contraindicated and those used with caution are
mostly toxic , biological activity of these drugs is stronger , and they can
cause contraction of the smooth muscle of the uterus and violent change of
bloodflow of the uterus ,resulting in abortion or premature labour,or being
harmful for development of the fetus .
[3].Classification of Drugs
(1).Drugs for Expelling Superficial Evils
The drugs which can disperse superficial evils and relieve
superficies-syndrome are called drugs for expelling superficial evils .
Among drugs of this kind ,the drugs which are acrid and warm, have the effect
of dispersing wind-cold evil,and are applicable to superficies-syndrome due to
wind-cold evil are called drugs with acrid flavour and warm nature for expelling
superficial evils,the drugs which are acrid and cool, have the effect of
dispersing wind-heat evil,and are applicable to superficies-syndrome due to
wind-heat evil are called drugs with acrid flavour and cool nature for expelling
superficial evils.
In addition ,a part of drugs for expelling superficial evils also have the
effects of leting out measles , subsiding swellings , dispersing sores and
others,and these drugs are used in the patients of appearance early and
disturbance of appearance of measles ; those of superficies-syndrome with
unfestered sores,and redness,tumescence,pain and edema ,as well as aversion to
cold ,and fever ; and those with wind-wetness evil in the superficies and pain
of the trunk and extreminties.
The common drugs with acrid flavour and warm nature for expelling superficial
evils are Herba Ephedrae , Ramulus Cinnamomi , Herba Schizonepetae , Radix
Ledebouriellar , Radix Angelicae Dahuricae , Herba Asari , Rhizoma seu Radix
Notopterygii , Rhizoma ligustici and others . The common drugs with acrid
flavour and cool nature for expelling superficial evils are Herba Menthae ,
Periostracum Cicadae , Fructus Arctii , Folium Mori , Flos Chrysanthemi , Radix
Bupleuri , Radix Puerariae , Fructus Viticis , Semen Sojae Praeparatum , Rhizoma
Cimicifugae and others .
(2).Drugs for Purging
The drugs which can cause diarrhea or lubricate the large intestine and
promote defecation are called drugs for purging.
The drugs for purging can be divided into three kinds, that is , drugs for
purging to eliminate evils,drugs for lubricating intestinal tract and promoting
defecation ,and drugs for potently purging and expelling water.
The common drugs for purging to eliminate evils are Radix et Rhizoma Rhei
, Folium Cassiae , Aloe , Natrii Sulfas and others . The common drugs for
lubricating intestinal tract and promoting defecation are Fructus Cannabis ,
Semen Pruni , Mel and others . The common drugs for potent purging and
expelling water are Radix Euphorbiae Kansui , Flos Genkwa , Semen
Pharbitidis and others .
(3).Drugs for Eliminating Wind-wetness Evil
The drugs which can eliminate wind-wetness evil and treat arthralgia-syndrome
are called drugs for eliminating wind-wetness evil.
The common drugs for eliminating wind-wetness evil are Radix Angelicae
Pubescentis , Radix Clematidis , Cortex Acanthopanacis Radicis , Ramulus Mori ,
Fructus Chaenomelis , Rhizoma Homalomenae and others .
(4).Drugs for Resolving Wetness and Promoting Diuresis
The drugs with fragrance which can expel wetness evil and the drugs which can
promote diuresis and filtrate wetness evil are called drugs for resolving
wetness and promoting diuresis.
The common drugs with fragrance for expelling wetness evil are Herba
Agastachis , Herba Eupatorii , Fructus Amomi , Rhizoma Atractylodis and
others . The common drugs for promoting diuresis and filtrating wetness evil are
Poria , Polyporus Umbellatus , Rhizoma Alismatis , Semen Coicis , Semen
Plantaginis , Caulis Akebiae , Herba Lysimachiae , Spora Lygodii and others
.
(5).Drugs for Warming the Interior
The drugs which have hot-nature or warm-nature and treat internal cold
syndrome are called drugs for warming the interior.
The common drugs for warming the interior are Radix Aconiti Praeparata ,
Cortex Cinnamomi , Rhizoma Zingiberis , Fructus Evodiae , Frutus Foeniculi ,
Flos Syzygii Aromatici and others .
(6).Drugs for Clearing away Heat
The drugs which have cold-nature or cool-nature and take clearing away
internal heat as their main effect are called drugs for clearing away heat.
According to properties of the drugs,the drugs for clearing away heat can be
divided into four types,that is,drugs for clearing away heat and purging
fire,drugs for clearing away heat and toxic materials,drugs for clearing away
heat and depriving wetness evil, and drugs for clearing away heat and cooling
the blood.
The common drugs for clearing away heat and purging fire are Gypsum
Fibrosum , Rhizoma Anemarrhenae , Frutus Gardeniae , Rhizoma Coptidis , Radix
Scutellariae , Cortex Phellodendri , Spica Prunellae , Radix Sophorae
Subprostratae and others . The common drugs for clearing away heat and toxic
materials are Flos Lonicerae , Frutus Forsythiae , Radix Isatidis , Herba
Taraxaci , Herba Oldenlandiae Diffusae and others . The common drugs for
clearing away heat and depriving wetness evil are Herba Artemisiae Scopariae
, Frutus Bruceae , Radix Pulsatillae and others . The drugs for clearing
away heat and cooling the blood are Radix Rehmannia , Radix Scrophulariae ,
Cortex Moutan Radicis , Cortex Lycii Radicis and others .
(7).Drugs for Regulating Qi(Vital Energy)
The drugs which can regulate functional activities of vital energy and
relieve stagnation of vital energy are called drugs for regulating qi (vital
energy).
The common drugs for regulating qi are Cortex Magnoliae Officinalis ,
Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae , Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae Viride, Fructus
Aurantii Immaturus , Radix Aucklandiae , Radix Linderae , Radix Curcumae ,
Rhizoma Corydalis , Fructus Citri Sarcodactylis and others .
(8).Drugs for Regulating Blood Condition
The drugs which can stop bleeding, dredge the blood vessels,and disperse
blood stasis are call drugs for regulating blood condition.The drugs for
regulating blood condition generally can be divided into four types , that is ,
drugs for activating blood circulation to dissipate blood stasis , drugs for
stopping bleeding , drugs for enriching the blood and drugs for cooling the
blood.The drugs for activating blood circulation to dissipate blood stasis and
the drugs for stopping bleeding are discussed mainly in this section.
The common drugs for activating blood circulation to dissipate blood stasis
are Rhizoma Ligustici Chuanxiong , Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae , Flos
Carthami , Semen Persicae , Commiphora Myrrha , Rhizoma Sparganii , Rhizoma
Zedoariae , Herba Leonuri , Radix Achyranthis Bidentatae , Caulis Spatholobi
, and others . The common drugs for stopping bleeding are Rhizoma
Imperatae , Cacumen Biotae , Flos Sophorae , Radix Notoginseng , Radix Rubiae ,
Nodus Nelumbinis Rhizomatis , Herba Agrimoniae , Rhizoma Bletillae and
others.
(9).Drugs for Elimination Sputum,Relieving Cough and Asthma
The drugs which can eliminate sputum are called drugs for eliminating
sputum.Drugs of the type can alleviate or inhibit cough and
asthma,therefore,these drugs are also called drugs for relieving cough and
asthma.
According to their natures and effects, these drugs can be divided into three
types,that is,drugs with warm-nature for eliminating cold-sputum , drugs with
cold-nature for eliminating hot-sputum , and drugs for relieving cough and
asthma.
The common drugs with warm-nature for eliminating cold-sputum are Rhizoma
Pinelliae , Rhizoma Arisaematis , Semen Sinapis Albae , Flos Inulae , Rhizoma
Typhonii and others . The common drugs with cold-nature for eliminating
hot-sputum are Fructus Trichosanthis , Bulbus Fritillariae , Caulis Bambusae
in Taeniam , Radix Platycodi , Radix Peucedani and others . The common drugs
for relieving cough and asthma are Semen pruni Armeniacae , Fructus Perillae
, Radix Stemonae , Flos Farfarae , Cortex Mori Radicis and others .
(10).Drugs for Invigorating
The drugs which can invigorate and nourish insufficiency of vital energy ,
blood , yin and yang of human body and be used to treat asthenia-syndrome are
called drugs for invigorating. These drugs can be divided into four types , that
is , drugs for invigorating vital energy,drugs for invigorating yang,drugs for
enriching the blood, and drugs for invigorating yin.
The common drugs for invigorating vital energy are Radix Ginseng , Radix
Codonopsis Pilosulae , Radix Astragali seu Hedysari , Rhizoma Dioscoreae ,
Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae , Radix Glycyrrhizae and others . The
common drugs for enriching the blood are Radix Angelicae Sinensis , Rhizoma
Rehmanniae Praeparatae , Radix Paeoniae Alba , Radix Polygoni Multiflori ,
Placenta Hominis and others . The common drugs for invigorating yin are
Radix Glehniae , Radix Ophiopogonis , Fructus Lycii , Fructus Corni , Fructus
Ligustri Lucidi , Bulbus Lilii , Radix Panacis Quinquefolii , Rhizoma
Polygonati and others . The common drugs for invigorating yang are Herba
Cistanchis , Herba Epimedii , Cortex Eucommiae , Radix Dipsaci , Fructus
Psoraleae , Herba Cynomorii , Cordyceps and others .
(11).Drugs for Relieving Muscular Spasm and Tranquilizing the Mind
The drugs which take calming the liver to stop wind, promoting sedation and
relaxing muscular spasm as their main effects are called drugs for relieving
muscular spasm.The drugs which have the effects of promoting sedation and
tranquilizing the mind are called drugs for tranquilizing the mind.
The common drugs for relieving muscular spasm are Rhizoma Gastrodiae ,
Margarita , Concha Haliotidis and others . The common drugs for
tranquilizing the mind are Cinnabaris , Magnetitum , Succinum , Semen Ziziphi
Spinosae , Semen Biotae , Radix Polygalae , Cortex Albiziae and others .
(12).Drugs for Waking up from Unconsciousness
The drugs which have fragrant odour,are good at going along the channels ,
and take loosening the lockjaw and waking up from unconsciousness as their main
effects are called drugs for waking up from unconsciousness.
The common drugs for waking up from unconsciousness are Moschus ,
Borneolum Syntheticum , Rhizoma Acori Graminei , Calculus Bovis and others .
(13).Drugs for Promoting Digestion
The drugs which can relieve indigestion and strengthen appetite are called
drugs for promoting digestion.
The common drugs for promoting digestion are medicated leaven , Fructus
Crataegi , Semen Raphani , Fructus Hordei Germinatus and others .
(14).Drugs for Expelling Parasites
The drugs which can expel or kill the enterozoa are called drugs for
expelling parasites.
The common drugs for expelling parasites are Fructus Quisqualis , Semen
Arecae , Fructus Mume , Cortex Meliae , Omphalia and others .
(15).Drugs for Astringing
The drugs which take astriction as their main effect are called drug for
astringing.
The common drugs for astringing are Fructus Schisandrae , Semen Myristicae
, Fructus Rosae Laevigatae , Semen Nelumbinis , Os Draconis , Concha Ostreae
and others .
(16).Drugs for Being Used Externally
The drugs which take dressing ,smearing ,fuming or washing , vesiculating ,
dropping into the eye , insufflating in the throat , dropping into the ear as
their main methods of usage are called drugs for being used externally.
The drugs for being used externally have the effects of detoxifying ,
detumefying,removing necrotic tissues , draining pus , promoting tissue
regeneration , astringing sore , killing parasites, alleviating itch , and
others separately.
The common drugs for being used externally are Realgar , Calomelas ,
Lithargyrum , Alumen and others .
(17).Drugs for Inducing Emesis
The drugs which have the effect of causing vomit are called drugs for
inducing emesis.
The common drugs for inducing emesis are Pedicellu Melo , Radix Dichroae ,
Chalcanthitum and others .
2.Compatibility of Drugs and Prescriptions
[1].Relation
of Compatibility
Usage of more than two drugs together is called compatibility.Certain rules
can be found in compatibility of drugs . In "Shennong's Pharmacopoeia " ,the
relations of various drugs were summarized as seven types , that is , single
drugs,mutual promotion,mutual support,weakening of toxicity,counteraction of
toxicity by another drug,weakening of effect by another drug and enhancement of
toxicity by another drug, which are called "seven consequences".
A.Going lonely:One drug performs effect lonely.
B.Needing each other:When
two drugs with same nature and effect are used together, these drugs can produce
synergy, and this enhance curative effect.
C.Being guide each other:When two
drugs with different natures and effects are used together, these drugs can
support each other, this enhance curative effect.
D.Restricting each
other:When two drugs are used together,a drug can inhibit or lighten violence or
toxicity of another drug.
E.Weakening each other:When two drugs are used
together, a drug can lighten or eliminate intoxication or harmful reaction of
another drug.
F.Taking aversion to each other:When two drugs are used
together , these drugs can inhibit each other , and one drug can cause weakening
or loss of effect of another drug.This is a kind of contraindication of
compatibility of drugs.
G.Opposing each other : When two drugs are used
together, deleterious effect occurs.This is a kind of contraindication of
compatibility of drugs.
[2].Incompatibility of Drugs
In relation of compatibility, "taking aversion to each other" and "opposing
each other" belong to incompatibility of drugs,and the drugs can not be used
together in prescriptions . The predecessors have summarized incompatibility of
drugs as " opposition among eighteen drugs" and "aversion among nineteen drugs".
A.Opposition among eighteen drugs :
Radix Aconiti opposes Rhizoma Pinelliae , Fructus Trichosanthis , Bulbus
Fritillariae Thunbergii , Radix Ampelopsis and Rhizoma Bletillae ;
Radix Glycyrrhizae opposes Radix Knoxiae , Radix Euphorbiae Kansui ,
Sargassum and Flos Genkwa;
Veratrum opposes Radix Ginseng , Radix Adenophorae Strictae , Radix Salviae
Miltiorrhizae , Radix Sophorae Flavescentis,Radix Scrophulariae,Herba Asari and
Radix Paeoniae.
B.Aversion among nineteen drugs:
Sulfur dislikes sodium nitrite;
Mercury dislikes Arsenicum;
Radix
Euphorbiae Ebracteolatae dislikes Lithargyrum;
Fructus Crotonis dislikes
Semen Pharbitidis;
Flos Syzygii Aromatici dislikes Radix
Curcumae;
Mirabilite dislikes Rhizoma Sparganii;
Radix Aconiti Kusnezoffii
and Radix Aconiti dislikes Cornu Rhinoceri;
Cortex Cinnamomi dislikes
Halloysitum Rubrum.
[3].Composition of Prescriptions
Prescription is the recipe composed by choosing drugs,determine proper dosage
and following certain principles of compatibility of drugs under guidance of the
theories of Traditional Chinese Medicine, on the basis of choosing methods of
treatment according to differentiation of syndromes,and according to the need of
state of diseases.
In tradition,composition of a prescription includes four parts,that
is,monarch,minister,assistant and guide.
Monarch is the drugs which treat main syndrome and perform main effect in a
prescription.
Minister is the drugs which assist the main drugs and strengthen the effect
of the main drugs.
Assistant is the drugs which assist the main drugs to treat the auxiliary
syndrome,or inhibit toxicity and violence of the main drugs,or assist the main
drugs oppositely.
Guide is the drugs which guide various drugs to the region of pathological
changes directly,or mediate various drugs.