title: [Research on Chinese medicine pairs (I)--Their formation and development].
abstract: Chinese medicine pair (CMP) was frequently applied in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) clinic, and its significance was shown in long-term clinical practices and many accumulated experiences. It is the unique combination of two relatively fixed Chinese medicines in TCM clinic with the basic feature and principle of TCM compatibility, is the most fundamental and the simplest form of TCM formulae with certain theory basis and combinatory reason, which is proven effective. And the unique combination is frequently used for achieving mutual reinforcement or detoxication. CMP is an intermediate point between single herb and many TCM formulae, reflecting the regularity of TCM formulae compatibility and connotation of differential treatment. This paper analyzed and summarized the basic characteristics, development process and research significance of CMP, which aims to lead the modern basic and applied research on compatibility theory of CMP.
authors.forename: Yu-Ping
authors.initials: YP
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.forename: Xiao-Yun
authors.initials: XY
authors.lastname: Shu
authors.forename: Wei-Xia
authors.initials: WX
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Min
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.forename: Shu-Lan
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Su
authors.forename: Da-Wei
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Qian
authors.forename: Xin-Sheng
authors.initials: XS
authors.lastname: Fan
authors.forename: Jin-Ao
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Duan
mesh_terms: D004347:Drug Interactions; D049669:History, 16th Century; D049670:History, 17th Century; D049671:History, 18th Century; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049674:History, 21st Century; D049690:History, Ancient; D008516:Medicine, Chinese Traditional / Q000266:history* / Q000379:methods*