[Textual research on original plant and dietotherapy history of Prunella vulgaris].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the original plant and dietotherapy history of Prunella vulgaris by textual researches, and provide a theoretical basis for clinical medication, exploitation and protection of wild resources.


METHODS
The ancient literatures in the graphic, geographical distribution and morphological description of P. vulgaris were used in this studied.


RESULTS
The varieties of P. vulgaris for therapeutic were no confusion. However, there has existed confusion between P. vulgaris and its confusable species (Ajuga ciliate, A. decumbens and Lagopsis supina) with appellations, morphological description and attached drawing of original plant.


CONCLUSIONS
The original plant is originated from two species (P. vulgaris, P. asiatica). P. hispida was used as a certified medicinal material in Yunnan province from Ming Dynasty to modern time. The dietotherapy history of P. vulgaris in China can be traced back to Ming Dynasty or before.
Institute of Chinese Medicinal Materials, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China. gqs@njau.edu.cn
Qiaosheng
Q
Guo
Yuhang
Y
Chen
D002681:China; D004358:Drug Therapy / Q000266:history*; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000032:analysis / Q000266:history* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D049690:History, Ancient; D006801:Humans; D008513:Medicine in Literature; D031347:Prunella / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000254:growth & development
D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal