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China Terminology ›› 2019, Vol. 21 ›› Issue (2): 32-41.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1673-8578.2019.02.007

• Terms and Translation • Previous Articles     Next Articles

How to Accurately Express the Nomenclature of Traditional Chinese Medicines

DAN Yang, LIU Jian, PENG Yong()   

  • Received:2018-04-29 Revised:2018-11-10 Online:2019-04-25 Published:2019-04-23
  • Contact: PENG Yong E-mail:ypeng@implad.ac.cn

Abstract:

Variable nomenclature of traditional Chinese medicines(TCM)causes confusion, especially when scientific reports have to be interpreted in relation to a TCM herb or using drug safely in clinical trials. Semitransparent translation cases from journals in TCM herbal nomenclature can be classified as the following aspects: homonym, synonyms, similar spellings, multiple botanical origins of a drug with overlapping names, mistranslation between Chinese and English, and conflicting name standards. Transparency and accuracy of nomenclature were elucidated by a couple of examples. we concluded that high quality of scientific reports related to a TCM herb or herbs can be achieved only when TCM herbs are appropriately provided with the corresponding Chinese Materia Medica(CMM)names according to the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, Latin scientific names, along with Chinese pinyin, vernacular names, and proper English names.

Key words: traditional Chinese medicines, nomenclature, Latin scientific names, CMM names

CLC Number:  (中国医学)