Yakushigaku Zasshi. 1996 ; 31(1): 12-22.

[Comparative studies on saccharated preparations in traditional medicine]

Nakamura T, Endo J, Sakim M.

Pharmaceutical Sciences, Science University of Tokyo.

We studied the descriptions of saccharated preparations found in traditional medical books and reported the following points. 1. Among the preparations described in medical books in Uigurian traditional medicine, the most numerous are saccharated preparations. These are often used to ripen and detoxicate malignant body fluids. 2. The contents of ancient writings found in Turfan in Uiguru relate not only to Greek medicine but also to Ayurvedic and Tibetan medicine. The application of saccharated preparations described in these writings is similar to that mentioned above. 3. The most important book of Tibetan medicines, "Sibu Yidian (The Four Medical Tantras)" describes saccharated preparations as making viscous body fluids ripe and improving their passage. The same book also regards them as mitigative. 4. "Caraka samnita" and "Sushruta samhita" show that honey and sugar are used separately in most cases of Ayurvedic medicine and that they expel malignant body fluids. 5. According to books of Greek medicine, honey is often added to extracts of herbal medicine at the time of taking it, and is used to ripen, detoxicate, and expel malignant body fluids. 6. The origin of saccharated preparations seems to be related to similary humoral theories in Greek, Arab, Indian, and Tibetan medicine.