Theory Exploration Nature of Chinese Herb: Based on Analogy Thinking / 中医杂志

ABSTRACT

By consulting ancient medical books on theory of nature of Chinese herb,the author makes confluence analysis on nature of Chinese herb based on analogy thinking guidance and finds that analogy thinking is widely used in theories of Chinese herb nature,including herb naming,four-nature & five-flavor,trend,channel tropism,toxicity,processing,etc.Herb naming based on analogy thinking includes naming by shape-properties,herb nature,flavor,function and growing environment.Four-nature & five-flavor includes determining by shape-properties,growth and substantial-function.Trend includes determining clear-turbidity-ascend-descend from Yin-yang,discussing ascenddescend from thin or thick flavor and determining the trend from shape-quality.Channel tropism includes channel tropism by shape,five-phase channel tropism theory and channel-collateral Zang-fu viscera tropism theory.Toxicity includes determining the toxicity from judging Yin-yang and four-nature,as well as explaining the toxicity from combining five-flavor.Processing includes processing consulting herb nature and flavor,as well as processing according to the nature of accessories.Based on three grades of image,sign and imagery,ancient physicians enrich the cognition of herb nature and form a dynamic Chinese herb nature system advocating the harmony between man and universe.