[Textural research on "Shidachuan" and "Shijianchuan" in "Ben Cao Gang Mu Shi Yi" (a supplement to the compendium of materia medica)].

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the historical origins of folk herbal medicines "Shidachuan" and "Shijianchuan"

METHODS

The origins of "Shidachuan" and "Shijianchuan" were confirmed by textural research and investigation of therapeutic effects.

RESULTS

In "Ben Cao Gang Mu" (the Compendium of Materia Medica) "Shidachuan" was not recorded, and "Shijianchuan" was listed only as a medicine of "nomination without use", with the habitat and morphology being blank.

CONCLUSIONS

The "Shidachuan" which was originally recorded in "Ben Cao Gang Mu Shi Yi" (A Supplement to the Compendium of Materia Medica) should be "Longyacao" (Agrimonia pilosa) of Rosaceae family. "Shijianchuan" should be "Guizhencao" (Bidens bipinata) of Compositae family instead of "Huashuweicao" (Salvia chinensis) of Labiatae family. The herbal medicine recorded as "shijianchuan" in "Chinese Pharmacopoeia" is the very species of Salvia chinensis, which is considered as a new rising species of "Shijianchuan".