earticle

영어

Eunsiho (銀柴胡, Stellariae seu Gypsophilae Radix) is defined as the root of Stellaria dichotoma var. lanceolata Bunge or Gypsophila oldhamiana Miq. (Caryophyllaceae) in the Korean Herbal Pharmacopeia. However, the medicinal origin of Eunsiho has often been confused with that of Siho (柴胡, Bupleuri Radix) because of the similarities in their names and efficacies. Therefore, in this study, the medicinal origin of Eunsiho was investigated botanically and pharmacologically through classic and modern herbal literature review. Eunsiho was recognized as a specific local product or counterfeit of Siho in the early 16th century. However, since the late 16th century, the medicinal application of Eunsiho was moved to another category, namely a deficiency heat-clearing medicine, which is different from that of Siho. Original Eunsiho was confirmed by morphological characteristics of its root (namely whitish-yellow color, larger size, and soft texture) and its efficacy (clearing bone-steaming fever); however, since the 19th century, they were identified as light black color, slender size, with exterior-releasing effect. After S. dichotoma var. lanceolata was registered as the origin of Eunsiho in Chinese Pharmacopeia in 1963, the Saneunsiho (山銀柴胡) species were treated as counterfeits or alternatives of Eunsiho. S. dichotoma var. lanceolata was officially added in the Pharmacopeia in 2011. However, the roots of G. oldhamiana are exclusively used as Eunsiho in Korean Pharmacopeia. Unfortunately, the medicinal use of G. oldhamiana lacks sufficient evidence. Therefore, further studies are necessary to provide clear evidence of the medicinal use of G. oldhamiana.