Identification of characteristics, supply channels, and imperial court processing of Arecae Semen in the Qing court.
10.19540/j.cnki.cjcmm.20250311.104
- Author:
Feng-Yuan LI
1
;
Hua-Sheng PENG
2
;
Xue-Ling GUAN
1
;
Yan JIN
3
;
Ting YAO
1
;
Yuan YUAN
3
;
Lu-Qi HUANG
3
Author Information
1. Palace Museum Beijing 100009, China.
2. 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 Key Scientific Research Base of Traditional Chinese Medicine Heritage (Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences), National Cultural Heritage Administration Beijing 100700, China.
3. 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.
- Publication Type:English Abstract
- Keywords:
Arecae Semen;
Dao-di herbs;
Qing court;
processing;
tribute
- MeSH:
China;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/history*;
Humans;
Medicine, Chinese Traditional/history*;
History, 19th Century;
History, Ancient;
History, 17th Century;
History, 18th Century
- From:
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica
2025;50(11):2924-2930
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Qing court records show that Arecae Semen was extensively applied. The royal medical records of the Qing Dynasty document nine types of Arecae Semen, with the Palace Museum preserving seven kinds, totaling twelve cultural relics. Historical documents and physical artifacts corroborate each other, providing evidence for the study of the supply channels and court processing of Arecae Semen in the Qing court. According to relevant Qing court archival records, the sources of Arecae Semen used in the imperial court were diverse, including tributes from foreign countries such as Vietnam and Gurkha, annual tributes from local governments in Guangdong, gifts from close aides, and commodities purchased by the Imperial Household Department from civilian shops. The imperial physicians of the Qing court placed great emphasis on the specifications of Arecae Semen slices and were extremely meticulous about their processing. The variety of Arecae Semen slices used in the Qing palace exceeded those recorded in the botanical texts of the era. Compared with the commonly used processing methods for Arecae Semen in the Qing Dynasty, the imperial physicians adjusted the properties and efficacy of the herbs through different processing techniques, based on the patient's condition, constitution, and other factors, in order to meet the clinical treatment needs of the court. The slicing of Arecae Semen in the Qing court required strict control of thickness, with an average thickness of 0.44 mm, which is significantly thinner than the Arecae Semen slices found in today's markets. The texture was softer, making them easier to chew and absorb. Both the Qing court Arecae Semen slices and the Muxiang Binglang Pills focused on the use of authentic medicinal materials, ensuring the quality of the medicine and enhancing the efficacy of Arecae Semen through meticulous selection and preparation.
