Textual Research on Wuzhuyutang Recorded in Literatures from the Eastern Han Dynasty to Period of Republic of China / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ABSTRACT

Wuzhuyutang is widely used in clinical practice nowadays due to its remarkable effect. It is the fifth prescription included in Ancient Classic Prescriptions Catalogue （the first batch）. Based on relevant medical literatures from the Eastern Han dynasty to the period of the Republic of China，combined with the methods of phiology and metrology，this paper systematically studies the origin，composition，evolution of prescription meaning，main indications，dosage of prescriptions，processing of various herbs，preparation method and administration method. According to the findings， Wuzhuyutang was created by ZHANG Zhongjing's Treatise on Febrile Diseases in the eastern Han dynasty. It was composed of Euodiae Fructus，Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens，Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma and Jujubae Fructus. In history，it had such synonyms as Zhuyutang，Yicujicuxinfang，Zhuyu Renshentang，Wuyutang，Sanwei Shenyutang，Shenyutang，Sishentang. It can be applied in internal medicine， gynecology，pediatrics，department of facial features and other miscellaneous diseases， which belong to Jueyin liver meridian and is manifested by upwardly reversed turbid Yin and invading other meridians， with cold vomiting （retching or salivation），abdominal pain，headache，dizziness，hand and foot cold as the main clinical symptoms. In terms of dosage，the commonly used dosage of Euodiae Fructus is 3.7-18.6 g in the previous dynasties. In clinical practice，if the main clinical manifestations are vomiting and salivation clearing，the dosage of about 3 g is recommended. Severe headache and abdominal pain can be mainly used，the dosage of about 10 g is recommended. The research and development of the formula can comply with the maximum dose of 5 g as stipulated in the 2015 edition of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia. The dosages of Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma and Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens can be calculated based on 1 liang equivalent to 3 g，and 1-5 pieces of Jujubae Fructus can be added. Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens and Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma should be processed according to the method of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia，reed should be removed，Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens should be washed，then peeled and sliced， and Jujubae Fructus should be dried in the sun，then cut and seeded before being used as medicine.