Identification of xingren ancient name of "he" and "ren"

Abstract

Ancient medical books have the names of drugs such as "xinghe" (, apricot pit), but there is only the name "xingren" (, almond) in modern medical books. On the basis of checking Chinese dictionary, exegetical books and ancient literature, it is believed that the ancients could clearly distinguish the difference between "he" (, pit) and "ren" (, nut) in actual use, and realized that the pit and the nut are different parts. This article takes almonds as the center to explore the similarities and differences of concepts and essences between the "he" (, pit) and "ren" (, nut) in ancient prescriptions. By investigating the usage of ancient medical literature, it can be seen that the actual medicinal part of the medicine "xinghe" (, apricot pit) means still almonds. And due to the imperfect market of ancient medicinal materials, there is no perfect medicinal materials processing industry, and it is necessary for doctors to remove part of the non-medicinal parts after obtaining the medicinal materials. Therefore, in ancient times, the "xinghe" (, apricot pit) and "xingren" (, almond) are actually different names for the same medicinal part.