Investigation of the Botanical Resource of Traditionally Used Crude Drug : Exploration of Traditional Production Technique of Paeoniae Radix

Abstract

This study is based on the investigation of Japanese ancient experienced agricultural techniques and historical and current exploration of strain and morphology of plants. We aim to dig up the tacit knowledge, which can guarantee the quality of production and profitability when they are applied for current medicinal plant cultivation. We focused on Paeonia lactiflora Pallas as the candidate of the farming products for the vitalization of mountainous area. Bon-ten (with white double-petaled flowers) is considered to produce highly qualified Paeoniae Radix in medical practice. We found several strains of the plant source different from Bonten as the origin of Yamato-Shakuyaku, bred after TOKUGAWA Yoshimune's policy promoting the domestic cultivation of medicinal plants in Edo period. These strains include the cultivar with red single-petaled flower, which is drawn in 'Matsuyama-Honzo' by Morino Tosuke-Saikaku, who established private herb garden, 'Morino herbal garden,' supported by Tokugawa shogunate. Among Morino family documents, we also found the unpublished historical papers suggesting the various productions of crude drugs at Yamato region in Edo period, and considered the transition of domestic production area, cultivation strains and cultivation skills. We can find the descriptions of picking of buds and flowers among current production manuals, but it is suggested the possibility of flowers for ornamental or commercial use to improve economic efficiency by the investigation of regional cultures and interviews of experts of crude drugs.