title: [Significance of the term "huku-yaku" (taking medicines)].
abstract: The term "Huku or Fu" in "Huku-yaku or Fu-yao", which means taking medicines, does not mean " to wear" , but means "to obey certain rituals or duties." Therefore "Huku-yaku (Fu-yao)" means " to obey the nature of a drug." From the viewpoint of "ShenXian" thought, the term used when referring to taking medicine depends on whether the purpose is to cure diseases or strengthen pneuma. The term "Huku (Fu)" is adopted for the latter. When the purpose is to strengthen pneuma, the drug does not only effect the inner body, but also works on the external world. Hence the "ShenXian" thought aims to conform to the rules of nature and obtain youth and longevity through taking medicines.
authors.affiliation: Oriental Medicine Research Center, Kitasato University. 5-9-1 Shirokane, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8642.
authors.forename: Tatsuhiko
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Suzuki
authors.forename: Jiro
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Endo
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D008516:Medicine, Chinese Traditional / Q000379:methods*; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations