A Study on the Bencao Classification System in Materia Medica of East Asian Medical History

역대 본초서(本草書)의 본초분류체계에 대한 연구

Objectives : This study aims to diachronically examine the classification systems of all materia medica, followed by categorization and analysis of each category to deduce each category's characteristic. This will provide foundation for further examining classifications of bencao in contemporary herbology. Methods : Classification systems from a total of 93 bencao related texts were collected and categorized. Each category's classification system was analyzed to determine its meaning. The classification systems were compared from a diachronic perspective, to further deduce each system's problem from a historical context. Results : The classification systems of materia medica could be summarized as following three standards: quality, origin, and medical application. In reality, bencao could be generally classified according to origin and medical application. The origin-based classification system provided a stable and flexible classification outline in the expansion process of bencao. The medical application-based classification strengthened the relationship between bencao and illness pattern, improving clinical applicability. Conclusions : In the history of herbology, the two classification systems created the current of herbology through mutual contribution and conflict. We hope that further discussion on the direction towards which classification system of bencao in contemporary herbology should head will proceed based on this study.