Herbal Textual Research on Corni Fructus Based on Classical Famous Prescriptions

Corni Fructus, as a commonly used Chinese materia medica in clinical practice, has the efficacy of tonifying and replenishing the liver and kidney as well as stopping collapse with astringent therapy. Given the controversy among medical experts through the ages over its medicinal parts, the author conducted a textual research on the name, origin, changes in producing areas and quality, medicinal parts, collecting, harvesting and processing, natures, tastes, efficacy, usage and dosage of Corni Fructus by consulting materia medica and medical classics of past ages, and combining relevant modern literature and standards, to ensure the precision medication of classic formulas containing it and provide a reference for further development and utilization. According to the textual research, it can be concluded that Corni Fructus has originated from Cornus officinalis Sieb.et Zucc. since ancient times. It was first produced in Shandong and Shaanxi, and later extended to Henan, Zhejiang, and other places for large-scale cultivation. Currently, the quality of products produced in Zhejiang is recommended. Initially, the whole fruit of Corni Fructus was used for medicine, but due to the influence of “the core causes spontaneous seminal emission” theory, the flesh of Corni Fructus(flesh with removing the core from the fruit) has become the mainstream product standard throughout the ages. However, in clinical practice, both specifications exist and should be used in accordance with syndrome differentiation and patient types. There are also many processing methods for Corni Fructus recorded in materia medica and medical classics of past ages, but the mainstream processing varieties are raw medicinal materials of Corni Fructus and flesh of Corni Fructus processed by wine. In terms of the properties and flavors of Corni Fructus, initially priority have been given to “taste sour, mild, lukewarm without toxicity in nature”, now have been switched to “taste sour, astringent, lukewarm in nature”. Moreover, its dosage range of medication of past ages varies greatly from that specified in the pharmacopoeia. It is recommended that clinical doctors choose the appropriate dosage recorded in classic prescriptions according to the patient and disease type, as conditions permit, to maximize the clinical efficacy of Corni Fructus.