The development of theory of "Seven kinds of prescriptions" and "Ten formulas of materia medica" in the Song Dynasty / 中华中医药杂志

ABSTRACT

"Seven kinds of prescriptions" and "Ten formulas of materia medica" were important classifications of prescription. According to textual research, the title of"Seven kinds of prescriptions" appeared fi rst in XU Shu-wei’s Shang han jiu shi lun (Ninety Essays on Cold Pathogenic Diseases), which was applied in medical education in the Song Dynasty. The title of "Ten formulas of materia medica" was beginning from CHEN Cang-qi’s ten kinds of "general drugs", and its concept was expanded from "kind" of drugs into "prescription" in Sheng ji jing (Classic of Holy Universal Relief) of the Song Dynasty. These two classif ications had great influence on classif ication of prescription based on functions in later time. The development of "Seven kinds of prescriptions" and "Ten formulas of materia medica" in the Song Dynasty was discussed, and the reasons was analyzed in this paper.