[Origin authentication of Bajitian based on herbal documents and local chronicles]

Area of Science:

• Ethnobotany
• Pharmacognosy
• History of Traditional Chinese Medicine

Background:

• Bajitian is a vital Chinese medicinal material with a debated origin.
• Historical records and regional usage present inconsistencies in its authentication.

Purpose of the Study:

• To authenticate the diverse origins of Bajitian across different regions.
• To trace the historical evolution of Bajitian's geographical sources.
• To provide a basis for accurate Bajitian authentication in herbology.

Main Methods:

• Combined analysis of historical herbal compendia and local gazetteers.
• Integration of textual evidence, historical illustrations, and regional medicinal practices.
• Comparative study of Bajitian's documented origins and inferred plant species.

Main Results:

• Guizhou Bajitian, possibly from Damnacanthus officinarum or D. giganteus, and Chuzhou Bajitian were first documented in the Illustrated Classic of Materia Medica.
• Sichuan Bajitian's origin, potentially Schisandra propinqua subsp. sinensis, dates back to the Northern and Southern Dynasties.
• Guangdong Bajitian, identified as Morinda officinalis, emerged in modern times, with Guangdong becoming a primary production area in the late Qing Dynasty.

Conclusions:

• This research clarifies the historical origins and plant sources of Bajitian in Guizhou, Sichuan, and Guangdong.
• The study resolves ambiguities surrounding Bajitian's authentication by integrating historical and regional data.
• Findings offer a foundational reference for the accurate identification and utilization of Bajitian in traditional medicine.