Exploring the characteristics of the prescriptions in the Zi Zai Hu Tian

Abstract

Zi Zai Hu Tian, the medical book with content consisting of prescriptions, was copied by Sun Jishuo in the period of Kangxi Emperor in the Qing Dynasty. It is extremely precious as the only remaining book, now held in the library of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. It had five volumes with more than 1,200 prescriptions. These prescriptions were organised according to symptoms and divided into internal medicine, gynecology and pediatrics, regimen, external medicine and detoxicant for weird diseases and animal diseases. Multiple prescriptions might be provided for one disease with diverse dosages. The prescriptions in Volume III focused on regimen, involving a total of 309 prescriptions. These prescriptions covered a variety of medicine, using products of flesh and blood with homology of medicine and food. They centred on "tonifying the kidney and filling up the essence", regulating the spleen and stomach and combining the tonic food and prolonging the life with flexible and diverse dosages. The medicine from these prescriptions were taken as pills with wine. Their processing was complicated, normally combined with the concepts of "Wu Xing" (the five elements about time and sequence). All prescriptions were believed deeply influenced by Taoist culture. They have important literature value and can provide reference for modern Chinese medicine research and clinical health care.Zi Zai Hu Tian, the medical book with content consisting of prescriptions, was copied by Sun Jishuo in the period of Kangxi Emperor in the Qing Dynasty. It is extremely precious as the only remaining book, now held in the library of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. It had five volumes with more than 1,200 prescriptions. These prescriptions were organised according to symptoms and divided into internal medicine, gynecology and pediatrics, regimen, external medicine and detoxicant for weird diseases and animal diseases. Multiple prescriptions might be provided for one disease with diverse dosages. The prescriptions in Volume III focused on regimen, involving a total of 309 prescriptions. These prescriptions covered a variety of medicine, using products of flesh and blood with homology of medicine and food. They centred on "tonifying the kidney and filling up the essence", regulating the spleen and stomach and combining the tonic food and prolonging the life with flexible and diverse dosages. The medicine from these prescriptions were taken as pills with wine. Their processing was complicated, normally combined with the concepts of "Wu Xing" (the five elements about time and sequence). All prescriptions were believed deeply influenced by Taoist culture. They have important literature value and can provide reference for modern Chinese medicine research and clinical health care.