Historical Evolution and Textual Research on Classical Prescription Taohe Chengqitang / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ABSTRACT

Taohe Chengqitang is a classical prescription published in The Catalogue of Ancient Classic Recipes (The First Batch). This study systematically summarized traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) ancient books and modern clinical reports on Taohe Chengqitang and investigated its origin， composition， basis, and historical evolution in processing requirements， dosage， preparation and administration， and functions. The findings indicated different opinions on drug basis， preparation of decoction pieces, and drug dosage conversion. Based on sufficient literature review, the actual development needs of classical prescriptions, and the usage habits of modern clinical practice， this study recommended dried mature seeds of Prunus persica or P. davidiana for Persicae Semen， dried twigs of Cinnamomum cassia for Cinnamomi Ramulus， honey-fried Glycyrrhiza uralensis for Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, raw Rheum palmatum, R. tanguticum, or R. offìcinale for Rhei Radix et Rhizoma, and mirabilite for Natrii Sulfas. In terms of drug dosage， the doses directed converted from weights and measures in the Han dynasty were large. According to the common doses in modern clinical practice, conversion was carried out based on 6 g of Cinnamomi Ramulus, 6 g of Natrii Sulfas, 6 g of Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, and 12 g of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma. The weight of Persicae Semen should be determined according to the actual measurement. In terms of preparation and administration, the drugs in the pot were decocted with 1 400 mL of water to obtain 500 mL of decoction, which was filtered and slightly boiled in the presence of Natrii Sulfas. About 100 mL of warm decoction was taken before meals， three times a day. It was recorded in the ancient books that Taohe Chengqitang was indicated for the syndromes of heat invading the bladder and accumulating inside in the case of released exterior syndrome in Taiyang. After symptom-based flexible application by doctors, it is currently commonly used in the treatment of diabetic nephropathy， constipation， chronic renal failure, and other diseases.