['Gantuomupi' as a foreign herb in traditional Chinese medicine].

Abstract

'Gantuomupi', as a foreign herb from Gandamu Bark, appeared in China in the Tang Dynasty because of the rich and flourishing foreign exchanges at that time. It was given meaning from both Buddhist symbolism as well as traditional Chinese medicine. It was recorded in Hai Yao Ben Cao as a herb with the description of "invigorating blood circulation and dispelling stasis". Based on a literature review, comparative study and skills in linguistics, it was found that 'Gandamu Bark' was the bark of Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam., and its medicinal benefits do not stem from the jackfruit bark itself, but are attributable to the efficacy of a plant from the Schisandraceae family known as Kadsura coccinea (Lem.) A. C. Smith.