石仙桃药材的民族植物学与文献计量学整合研究

Ethnobotany meets bibliometrics: An integrated study on shixiantao, a medicinal orchid

关键词:  石仙桃，基原植物，民间用药经验，传统知识，民族植物学

Key words:  shixiantao, original plant, folk medicinal experience, traditional knowledge, ethnobotany

摘要:

石仙桃在我国民间应用广泛，不仅是常用的传统兰科药材，还是一种具有显著饮食文化价值的资源。针对石仙桃药材历史基原记载混乱、多省地方标准具有差异以及传统药用知识缺失等问题，该文通过药用民族植物学等方法，对历代本草、地方中药志及民族医药文献进行系统梳理，整理其名称、基原物种、形态、产地等传统知识，并对13个民族的石仙桃传统药用知识进行民族植物学编目。此外，基于文献计量学方法，分析石仙桃近40年国内外相关研究，整合化学成分与药理活性进展，揭示传统认知与现代研究关联。结果表明：（1）“石仙桃”基原物种存在显著历时性演变与混淆：其药用记载最早可以追溯至唐代以云南石仙桃（Pholidota yunnanensis）作为石斛药材的替代品；清代至民国时期来源多样，除石仙桃（P. chinensis）、云南石仙桃，还涉及贝母兰属（Coelogyne）、石豆兰属（Bulbophyllum）等植物；近现代文献中收载以石仙桃为主，但民间市场上还流通着细叶石仙桃（P. cantonensis）、流苏贝母兰（Coelogyne fimbriata）等多种来源。（2）石仙桃在我国13个民族中作为药用，主要利用假鳞茎治疗头痛、跌打损伤、淋巴结结核等症，其性味归经及功效记载和现代药理研究高度契合。（3）文献计量学统计显示，近40年石仙桃研究聚焦于菲类、联苄类等化学成分与镇痛、抗炎等活性机制，有力佐证了其治疗头痛、炎症等传统疗效。该文首次系统整合了石仙桃的本草基原沿革、多民族传统知识和现代科学证据，进一步显示民族用药经验对现代药物研发的启示价值。未来研究应以解决近缘种混用问题和保障资源可持续性为前提，构建“传统知识—资源保护—现代研发”协同创新体系，以推动民族医药文化传承与生态保护。

Abstract:

The materia medica of shixiantao holds a prominent place in Chinese folk tradition with a long history of extensive use. It functions both as a traditional medicinal plant commonly used and as a resource possessing significant value in dietary culture. To address issues such as historical confusion in its botanical origin records, discrepancies in provincial standards, and the lack of systematized traditional medicinal knowledge, this study integrated medical ethnobotany on historical herbal texts, local chronicles of Chinese materia medica, and ethnomedical literature. Through this process, traditional knowledge regarding nomenclature, botanical origins, morphological characteristics, and geographical distribution was consolidated. Furthermore, an ethnobotanical inventory of shixiantao's traditional medicinal knowledge across thirteen ethnic groups was compiled. And based on bibliometrics, this study counted the research reports on “shixiantao” in the past 40 years domestically and internationally, analyzed the keywords of the published articles to reveal the correlation between its traditional knowledge and modern research, and integrated progress in chemistry and pharmacology. The results were as follows: (1) The origin of shixiantao exhibits significant diachronic evolution and confusion: The earliest medicinal documentation, traced to the Tang dynasty, featured Pholidota yunnanensis as a substitute for the materia medica of Dendrobium spp.(Shihu). From the Qing dynasty to the Republican period, diverse sources were involved, including plants from genera like Coelogyne and Bulbophyllum. Modern literature establishes Pholidota chinensis as the accepted origin,yet the folk market continues to see trade in multiple species, including Pholidota cantonensis and Coelogyne fimbriata. (2) Shixiantao is currently incorporated into the medical systems of 13 ethnic groups, primarily utilizing the pseudobulbs to treat headaches, traumatic injuries, lymph node tuberculosis, etc. Records of its traditional property, flavor, meridian tropism, and efficacy are highly consistent with modern pharmacological research. (3) Bibliometric statistics show that research concerning shixiantao over the past 40 years has focused on chemical components (phenanthrenes, bibenzyls, etc.) and the mechanisms of analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities, providing strong evidence supporting its traditional efficacy in treating headaches, inflammation, etc., highlighting the important inspiration of ethnic medicinal experience for modern research. This study represents the first systematic integration of shixiantao's historical evolution of botanical origin according to historical herbs, multi-ethnic traditional knowledge, and modern scientific evidence, confirming the inspirational value of ethnic medicinal experience for contemporary drug research. Future research should prioritize resolving taxonomic confusion among closely related species and ensuring resource sustainability. Under these premises, a synergistic innovation system integrating traditional knowledge, resource conservation and modern research and development should be constructed to promote the inheritance of ethnic medicinal culture and ecological conservation.