A Cognitive Study of the Naming of Chinese Herbal Medicines in the Vegetable and Fruit Sections of the Compendium of Materia Medica

Abstract

Chinese herbal medicine, as a core part of traditional Chinese medicine, has names that not only carry deep historical significance but also reflect humanity's profound understanding of the characteristics and effects of these herbs. This study focuses on the naming of 55 herbal medicines from the vegetable and fruit sections of the The Compendium of Materia Medica, aiming to uncover the cognitive mechanisms behind these names. The research found that 42 of the herbal medicines in the vegetable and fruit sections were named based on single motivation, while 13 were named based on a combination of motivations. In the single-motivation naming pattern, the highest proportion was based on shape, followed by factors like origin and morphology. Among the combined motivations, the most common combinations were origin and flavor, followed by growth environment with shape, shape and flavor, and shape and color. The study reveals that whether naming based on a single characteristic or integrating multiple characteristics, the naming process emphasizes easily recognizable and perceivable features to represent the whole. This reflects the metonymy of concepts in the naming of herbal medicines. When a single feature isn't enough to define the herb, people tend to integrate multiple features in the naming process, showing the commonality of conceptual integration in the naming of Chinese herbal medicines. Moreover, people often use familiar entities and their similarities in shape or efficacy to name the herbs, highlighting the influence of conceptual metaphors in the naming of Chinese herbal medicine. This research can deepen understanding of the value and characteristics of Chinese herbal medicines and better promote the internationalization of traditional Chinese medicine.