Textual research on history of Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizome processing

Abstract

The historical preparation methods of Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma were summarized and analyzed by consulting relevant literatures of herbal medicines and medical classics. This study also reviewed the records of Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma processing methods in previous editions of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia and the regulations on processing technology of Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma decoction pieces in China. This paper summarized the processing history of Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma and defined the development process of Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma processing. According to textual research from ancient times to today, there are many ways to process Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma. The processing methods without auxiliary materials include braising, frying, cooking, simmering and adding such auxiliary materials as wine, vinegar, salt, oil, ginger, honey, water and bile. There are 9 editions of the published Chinese Pharmacopoeia that document the processing of Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, and 24 provinces and cities nationwide record the processing of Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma. At present, the 2015 edition of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia only records the processing technology of Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma honey, and the honey processing method is still widely usedtoday. Whether or not Zhigancao should be used uniformly for honey-processed Zhigancao today should be based on the processing methods of Chinese herbal medicine and its clinical use in previous ancient medical books. This paper provides a reference and historical basis for subsequent studies on other processing techniques of Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, the rational selection of Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma varieties and the further development and utilization of corresponding medicinal materials.