Li Feng-Yuan, Peng Hua-Sheng, Guan Xue-Ling, Jin Yan, Yao Ting, Yuan Yuan, Huang Lu-Qi
Palace Museum Beijing 100009, China.
State Key Laboratory for Quality Ensurance and Sustainable Use of Dao-di Herbs, National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences Beijing 100700, China Key Scientific Research Base of Traditional Chinese Medicine Heritage (Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences), National Cultural Heritage Administration Beijing 100700, China.
Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi. 2025 Jun;50(11):2924-2930. doi: 10.19540/j.cnki.cjcmm.20250311.104.
Qing court records show that Arecae Semen was extensively applied. The royal medical records of the Qing Dynasty document nine types of Arecae Semen, with the Palace Museum preserving seven kinds, totaling twelve cultural relics. Historical documents and physical artifacts corroborate each other, providing evidence for the study of the supply channels and court processing of Arecae Semen in the Qing court. According to relevant Qing court archival records, the sources of Arecae Semen used in the imperial court were diverse, including tributes from foreign countries such as Vietnam and Gurkha, annual tributes from local governments in Guangdong, gifts from close aides, and commodities purchased by the Imperial Household Department from civilian shops. The imperial physicians of the Qing court placed great emphasis on the specifications of Arecae Semen slices and were extremely meticulous about their processing. The variety of Arecae Semen slices used in the Qing palace exceeded those recorded in the botanical texts of the era. Compared with the commonly used processing methods for Arecae Semen in the Qing Dynasty, the imperial physicians adjusted the properties and efficacy of the herbs through different processing techniques, based on the patient's condition, constitution, and other factors, in order to meet the clinical treatment needs of the court. The slicing of Arecae Semen in the Qing court required strict control of thickness, with an average thickness of 0.44 mm, which is significantly thinner than the Arecae Semen slices found in today's markets. The texture was softer, making them easier to chew and absorb. Both the Qing court Arecae Semen slices and the Muxiang Binglang Pills focused on the use of authentic medicinal materials, ensuring the quality of the medicine and enhancing the efficacy of Arecae Semen through meticulous selection and preparation.
清宫档案记载显示，槟榔应用广泛。清代宫廷医药档案记载有九种槟榔，故宫博物院保存七种，共计文物十二件。史料与实物相互印证，为研究清代宫廷槟榔的供应渠道及宫廷加工情况提供了依据。据清宫相关档案记载，宫廷所用槟榔来源多样，包括越南、廓尔喀等外国进贡，广东地方每年进贡，近臣馈赠，以及内务府从民间店铺采买等。清宫御医十分重视槟榔饮片规格，加工极为精细。清宫所用槟榔饮片种类超过当时植物学文献记载。与清代常用的槟榔炮制方法相比，御医根据患者病情、体质等因素，通过不同炮制技术调整药材的性能和功效，以满足宫廷临床治疗需要。清宫槟榔切片厚度要求严格，平均厚度为0.44毫米，明显薄于当今市场上的槟榔片。质地较软，便于咀嚼和吸收。清宫槟榔片和木香槟榔丸均注重使用道地药材，通过精心挑选和炮制保证药品质量，增强槟榔药效。
