산형과 본초의 효능에 대한 고찰 - 형태와의 관련성을 중심으로

A Study on the Efficacy of Umbelliferae Medicinal Herbs : Focusing on Morphological Characteristics

Objectives : This paper aims to provide a basis for a unique methodology of Korean Medicine which understands the effects of a medicinal herb through examining its morphology, through studying the relation between Umbelliferae medicinal herbs and their effects. Methods : Materia medica texts throughout history, the Encyclopedia of Chinese Medicinal Herbs, and contemporary texts on botany were referenced to analyze the qi and flavor, effects, indications, pharmacological mechanism and morphological characteristics of 12 Umbelliferae herbs. Through comparison, the relationship between the morphology and effects of Umbelliferae herbs were examined. Results : In general, Umbelliferae herbs are pungent and warm, while some have moderate and slightly cold nature. Their main effect is ‘defeating wind’, sometimes accompanied by ‘scattering cold and eliminating dampness’ or eliminating ‘phlegm and stagnated blood’, and ‘clearing stagnation of qi and blood’. Main application is Wind patterns of exterior and interior, while they are widely applied in conditions of the head and face, chest, skin and extremities, where they function to elevate or disperse qi in the upper and middle body. Morphologically, they are characterized by compound umbels, hollow stems, pinnate leaves with serrated or deeply lobed margins, most of them aromatic. Such morphological characteristics are related to functions of elevating and dispersing qi. Leaves with lobed or serrated margins have strong dispersing tendencies, while wide leaves, thick stems, and robust flowers indicate supplementing abilities. Conclusions : Common tendencies between the morphological characteristics and effects of Umbelliferae herbs could be verified. Such methodology based on analogy to grasp a medicinal's effects could be used to understand the characteristics of medicinal herbs and to apply them.