《神农本草经》书名出现时代的讨论

一般文献说《神农本草经》书名出现在先秦，通过《汉书·艺文志》、马王堆汉墓出土文物、古籍命名历史、经书名称出现时代等论证，从而否定先秦有《神农本草经》书名出现。“本草”二字到西汉*才有。西汉设有方士、本草官。汉成帝曾罢方士、本草等待诏70余人归家，汉平帝又复诏之，应诏者数千人。被诏的本草人，撰写本草书，并托名神农，卑能取信于上级，从而获得本草待诏的机会。所以《神农本草经》书名的出现，是在西汉本草待诏的时代。

Discassion on the date of appearance of the title Shen nong ben cao jing (Shennong's Herbal Classic)

It is said, in general literatures, that the title of shen nong ben cao jing appeared in preQin period. It can be negated, through studies on Han shu yi wen zhi (Biblie - graphies in Book of Han Dynasty), relics unearthed from Han tombs in Mawangdui, the history of nomencleture for ancient books,and the date of appearance of ancient canons, that the said - title first appeared in the pre - Qin period.The name of " ben cao" was first appeared in western Han dynasty. There were officials of necromaneer (fan shi) and ben cao in western Han dynasty. During Chengdi Emperor of Han, some seventy such officials were dismissed and returned to their homelands. Pingdi Emperor re - summoned these officials. Several scores of officials responded to the edict, among them, those responsible for ben cao compiled a book on ben cao (herbology) and alleged it to be written by shennong so as to win confidence from the authority and to acquire the official title of ben cao dai zhao (Herbal Attendant) for themselves. It is, therefore, natural that the title of shen nong ben cao jing can only appeared at the time of Herbal Attendant in Western Han dynasty.