Characteristics of pharmaceuticals in "Heji Jufang"

Dosage forms, methods of preparation, and methods of taking drugs for formulas described in "Heji Jufang" were investigated and the following results were obtained.1) Powders and pills (processed medicines), which are dosage forms seldom used in conventional traditional Chinese medicine, are often seen in "Heji Jufang". On the other hand, the fact that decoction (non-processed medicines), which is the principal dosage form in traditional Chinese medicine, seldom appears became apparent. In addition, a method of taking the drug by boiling down the powder was frequently seen.2) When decoction formulas are described in "Heji Jufang", the herbal medicines are often classified into two sections, a preceding section and latter one. The herbal medicines as prepared at a pharmacy are listed in the preceding section, while "standard household items" to add during home preparation are assumed to be described in the latter section.3) In "Heji Jufang", there is a rare method of taking drugs where boiling water is poured on powder consisting of aromatic herbal medicine before use. Many of these formulas are found in "Yinshan Zhengyao", which contains food and drink of the Arab region.4) "Heji Jufang" contains confections prepared with honey and powders of crude drugs. This dosage form is often seen in Indian and Arab medicine and was rarely seen in medical books before "Heji Jufang" in China.5) Thus, results 1-4 suggest that "Heji Jufang" was published in accordance with the development of processed medicines. It is believed that Arab medicine influenced the development of processed medicines in China.