Résumé
By reviewing the ancient and modern literature, the name, origin, medicinal parts and other aspects of Linderae Radix in famous classical formulas were systematically sorted out, so as to provide a basis for development of famous classical formulas containing this herb. Linderae Radix was first recorded in Bencao Shiyi in the Tang dynasty under name of Pangqi, and since Rihuazi Bencao of the Five dynasties, all generations of materia medica have used Wuyao as its proper name of the herb. The mainstream source of Linderae Radix used in the past dynasties is dried tuberous roots of Lindera aggregata contained in the 2020 edition of Chinese Pharmacopoeia. The origins of Linderae Radix recorded in the past dynasties are mainly Guangdong, Guangxi, Hunan, Zhejiang, Anhui and others, since the Song dynasty, Tiantai county in Zhejiang province has been regarded as the authentic producing place, in modern times, it is still the authentic place of origin. At harvesting, in ancient times, the harvesting time of the roots was mostly in August, while in modern times, Linderae Radix is mostly harvested in winter and spring or throughout the year, and is dried directly after harvesting or cut thin slices and dried in the place of production. At processing, Linderae Radix was processed by removing the peel and heart, wine roasting, vinegar roasting and other methods in ancient times, and in modern times, it is mostly used in raw form as medicine. In conclusion, it is suggested that the processing method of fresh slicing and drying in the place of origin in the 2020 edition of Chinese Pharmacopoeia should be adopted if Linderae Radix is involved in the development of famous classical formulas.