Textual Research and Clinical Application of Chaihu Guizhi Ganjiangtang / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ABSTRACT

Chaihu Guizhi Ganjiangtang with a definite clinical effect has been widely used and recorded since the Han Dynasty. As a classic prescription of Chaihu classic formula praised by doctors ofsuccessive generations， it has been included in the Ancient Classic Prescription Catalogue （Second Batch）： Han Medicine published by the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine in August 2023. We carried out a bibliometric study involved 34 ancient books of traditional Chinese medicine， with 37 records including the name and composition of the prescription. This paper summarizes the source name， composition， original medicinal plant， dose， preparation method， usage， ancient and modern indications， and clinical application of Chaihu Guizhi Ganjiangtang. The results of textual research show that Chaihu Guizhi Ganjiangtang is derived from the Treatise on Febrile Diseases （Shanghanlun） written by ZHANG Zhongjing in the Han dynasty， and the original plants of medicines in this prescription are basically the same in ancient and modern times. Most records about the doses in ancient books are consistent with those in the Treatise on Febrile Diseases （Shanghanlun）. The efficacy of Chaihu Guizhi Ganjiangtang is to harmonize lesser yang and resolve water retention by warming. This prescription was used to treat a variety of diseases， especially those caused by disturbance of Qi movement in the greater Yang and lesser Yang. It is now mainly used to treat the diseases in the digestive system， respiratory system， dermatology， nervous system， etc.， being effective for difficult and complicated diseases. Through the excavation and combing of the ancient records of Chaihu Guizhi Ganjiangtang， this paper clarifies the key information， providing a reference for the clinical application of classical prescriptions and the development of new drugs.