Herbal Textual Research on Moslae Herba in Famous Classical Formulas / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ABSTRACT

Through the textual research and analysis of the variety， origin， processing， quality evaluation and clinical application of Moslae Herba in ancient and modern literature， its origin of materia medica was clarified. Moslae Herba has experienced variety changes in history. Elsholtzia ciliata was the mainstream variety during and before the Song dynasty， however， during the Ming and Qing dynasties， emerging variety of Mosla chinensis rose to the mainstream status due to its remarkable efficacy and the formation of cultivation， and differentiated into two commodities（wild variety of Qingxiangru and cultivated variety of Jiangxiangru）， cultivated products formed an authentic producing area in Jiangxi. The three varieties coexisted during the Ming and Qing dynasties， and the Elsholtzia varieties were gradually eliminated. Variety changes have caused changes in the functions and indications of drugs. E. ciliata had the effect of clearing heat and was mainly used to treat heatstroke and cholera， while M. chinensis was used for exogenous wind cold and dampness in the summer because of its warm and strong sweating properties， but not for cholera. Traditional Moslae Herba is mainly harvested in the summer and autumn （flowering to fruiting stage） and the above-ground parts are dry in the shade and used as medicine. Modern Qingxiangru is mostly harvested before the flowering period， and Jiangxiangru is harvested after flowering and fruiting in late summer and early autumn. In summary， according to the 2020 edition of Chinese Pharmacopoeia， the dried above-ground parts of Moslae Herba should be selected for Xinjia Xiangruyin in the Catalogue of Ancient Famous Classical Formulas（The First Batch）， mainly the cultivated variety of Jiangxiangru， and the raw products is cut into segments and used as medicine. It is suggested that when applying and developing famous classical formulas containing Moslae Herba at different periods of time today， the origin should be established in conjunction with clinical efficacy.