[The applications of "Lacha" in Sheng Ji Zonglu]

The earliest appearance of "Lacha" was in the Tang Dynasty. At first, it was only served as a type of tribute tea to the emperor and the royal families.Since the Song Dynasty, "Lacha" was viewed as a kind of medicine or drug.Sheng Ji Zonglu(, Comprehensive Record of Sagely Beneficence) is the most abundant literature of the medicinal formulas of "Lacha" since the Song Dynasty. The book presented 72 prescriptions, which involved 62 diseases.Its application forms were diverse, including decoction, pill, powder and so on.The main functions included resuscitating, clearing up the heads, aiding digestion, dissipating phlegm, detoxifying and treating sores, eliminating miasma, and reducing the toxicity of other drugs.