Discussion on the Analogical Pharmacology and Effectiveness Patterns of"Chinese Medicines from Covering"
10.16466/j.issn1005-5509.2025.04.019
- VernacularTitle:刍议"皮药"的法象药理和功效规律
- Author:
Guo-zhen WANG
1
;
Tianxing ZHANG
1
Author Information
1. 浙江中医药大学 杭州 310053
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Chinese medicines from covering;
analogical pharmacology;
Chinese medicines from covering affecting the skin;
Chinese medicines from covering belonging to the metal element;
Chinese medicines from covering consolidating kidney Qi;
effectiveness patterns;
t
- From:
Journal of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University
2025;49(4):507-511
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
[Objective]To explore the pattern of analogical pharmacology and efficacy of"Chinese medicines from covering",which refers to the barks of plants,skins of animals and peels of fruits used as medicines to treat diseases.[Methods]Based on the principle of analogical pharmacology and on the basis of the principle that"Chinese medicines from covering affecting the skin",this paper combines the records in herbal medical classics and clinical medication experience to further analyze the efficacy characteristics of Chinese medicines from covering and summarize the efficacy characteristics of subdivided categories such as fruit peels,bark of trunks,root barks and animal skins.[Results]Chinese medicines from covering have the characteristics of functioning well at entering the lung and large intestine and exerting the effects of relieving cough and diarrhea.This is particularly true for medicines made from fruit peels,such as Pyrus bretschneideri Rehd.peel,Trichosanthes kirilowii Maxim.peel,Exocarpium Citri Grandis and Papaver somniferum L.pericarp.In addition,Morus alba L.root-bark,Fraxinus rhynchophylla Hance bark,Erinaceus europaeus L.skin and Ailanthus altissima(Mill.)Swingle bark also have a preference for entering the lung and large intestine meridians.Chinese medicines from covering have the efficacy characteristic of adepting at nourishing Yin,such as Colla Corii Asini(E jiao),pig skin and Bos taurus domesticus Gmelin hide gelatin,etc.This kind of Chinese medicines from covering generally comes from animal skins.Chinese medicines from covering like Citrus reticulata Blanco pericarp,Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae Viride,Poncirus trifoliata(L.)Raf.fruit,Areca catechu L.peel and Magnolia officinalis Rehd.et Wils.bark are rich in volatile oils and good at regulating Qi and relieving distension.Chinese medicines from covering have the characteristics of being good at entering the lower-Jiao,tonifying the liver and kidney,strengthening the muscles and bones,and consolidating kidney Qi,This is especially true for medicines made from trunk and root barks,such as Phellodendron chinense Schneid.bark,Paeonia suffruticosa Andr.root-bark,Lycium chinense Mill.root-bark,Eleutherococcus gracilistylus W.W.Smith bark and Cinnamomum cassia Presl bark.[Conclusion]In addition to"affecting the skin",Chinese medicines from covering possess various characteristics of efficacy patterns.In the theory of the Five Elements,Chinese medicines from covering pertain to metal.The characteristics of metal Qi,such as its high-rising nature,its functions of ripening,descending and its dryness,are the root causes of the efficacy characteristics of Chinese medicines from covering.These include acting on the skin and the exterior,entering the lungs and large intestine,being rich in colloids and oils,being good at tonifying the liver and kidney,and clearing heat and drying dampness.
