[Discriminations for the Chinese Name of Gelsemium elegans]

In this paper, an in-depth historical research and name analysis on the confusion of homonymous of different herbs and homonyms between the Chinese name of the plant and the name of medicinal materials of Gelsemium elegans (Gardn. & champ.) Benth was made. There are more than 38 different general name and distinct names in the description of ancient and modern literature. After collating and analyzing, it is believed that some names are caused by miswriting or misunderstanding of the form and function. The author proposes that the Chinese name of G. elegans and the medicinal name of its whole medicinal material should be " Gelsemium elegans " (Gou Wen) as the general name, and puts forward suggestions for strengthening the research and arrangement of the name of Chinese materia medica.