Herbal Textual Research on Zanthoxylum armatum and Zanthoxyli Radix in Famous Classical Formulas
10.13422/j.cnki.syfjx.20250563
- VernacularTitle:经典名方中蔓椒和两面针的本草考证
- Author:
Zhen ZENG
1
;
Yanmeng LIU
1
;
Yihan WANG
1
;
Yapeng WANG
1
;
Erwei HAO
2
;
Chun YAO
2
;
Zhilai ZHAN
1
Author Information
1. State Key Laboratory for Quality Ensurance and Sustainable Use of Dao-di Herbs， National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica，China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences，Beijing 100700，China
2. Guangxi Key Laboratory of Efficacy Study on Chinese Materia Medica， Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine，Nanning 530200，China
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
famous classical formulas;
Zanthoxyli Radix;
Zanthoxylum armatum;
origin;
scientific name;
processing;
herbal textual research
- From:
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae
2025;31(13):252-262
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
This article systematically analyzes the historical evolution of the name， origin， medicinal parts， harvesting and processing， and other aspects of Manjiao and Zanthoxyli Radix by referring to the herbal medicine， medical books， prescription books and other documents of the past dynasties， combined with the relevant modern research materials， in order to provide a basis for the development of famous classical formulas containing the two medicinal materials. According to the herbal textual research， Manjiao was first recorded in Shennong Bencaojing of the Han dynasty with aliases such as Zhujiao， Goujiao and Zhijiao. Throughout history， Manjiao was sourced from the stems and roots of Zanthoxylum armatum in the Rutaceae family， and its leaves and fruits can also be used in medicine. The traditional recorded production area was mainly in Yunzhong（now Tuoketuo region in Inner Mongolia）， with mentions in Zhejiang， Hunan， Fujian， Guangdong， Guangxi， Yunnan， Taiwan， and other provinces. Presently， this species is distributed from the south of Shandong， to Hainan， Taiwan， Tibet and other regions. The roots can be harvested year-round， while the fruits are harvested in autumn after maturity. In ancient times， the roots and stems were mostly used for brewing or soaking in wine， whereas nowadays， the roots are often sliced and then used as a raw material in traditional Chinese medicine， and the fruits should be stir-fried before use. Manjiao has a bitter taste and warm property， and was historically used to treat wind-cold dampness， joint pain， limb numbness， and knee pain. Modern researches have summarized its effects as dispelling wind， dispersing cold， promoting circulation， and relieving pain， and it is used for treating rheumatoid arthritis， toothache， bruises， as well as an anthelmintic. Zanthoxyli Radix initially known as Rudi Jinniugen， recorded in Bencao Qiuyuan of the Qing dynasty， with the alternate name of Liangbianzhen. In recent times， it is more commonly referred to as Liangmianzhen， sourced from the dried roots of Z. nitidum of the Rutaceae family， mainly produced in Guangxi and Guangdong. It can be harvested throughout the year， cleaned， sliced， and dried after harvesting. Zanthoxyli Radix is pungent， bitter， warm and slightly toxic， with the functions of promoting blood circulation， removing stasis， relieving pain， dispelling wind， and resolving swelling. Based on the results of herbal textual research， it is clarified that the ancient Manjiao and the modern Zanthoxyli Radix are not the same species. This article corrects the mistaken belief of by previous scholars that Zanthoxyli Radix is the same as ancient Manjiao， and suggests that formulas described as Manjiao should use Z. armatum as the medicinal herb， while those described as Liangmianzhen or Rudi Jinniu should use Z. nitidum. The processing was performed according to the processing requirements prescribed in the formulas， otherwise， the raw products are recommended for use.
