[Textual research on ancient geo-authentic producing areas of Chaenomeles speciosa based on literature and historical records from materia medica and local chronicles]

Chaenomeles speciosa, a commonly used traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) material, has the effects of stimulating the circulation of the blood and causing the muscles and joints to relax, as well as harmonizing the stomach and resolving dampness. It was first recorded in the Ming Yi Bie Lu during the Northern and Southern Dynasties, and its cultivation history can be traced back to the Bencao Tujing in the Song Dynasty. Modern research mainly focuses on the producing areas of Ch. speciosa based on the textual research of materia medica works, and there are few studies on the producing areas and geo-authentic producing areas of Ch. speciosa based on local chronicles. This paper systematically referred to literature and historical records from materia medica and local chronicles. Combined with the modern distribution of producing areas, the paper conducted textual research on the geo-authentic producing area of Ch. speciosa in literature and historical records, so as to clarify the changes in the geo-authentic producing area of Ch. speciosa. From the Song Dynasty to the Qing Dynasty, basically all materia medica works have recorded that the geo-authentic producing area of Ch. speciosa was Xuancheng City, Anhui province, while local chronicles showed that Zhejiang province had been the geo-authentic producing area of Ch. speciosa from the Tang Dynasty to the Qing Dynasty. A comprehensive review of the literature and historical records indicated that Zhejiang province and Hunan province were the geo-authentic producing areas of Ch. speciosa during the Tang Dynasty, while Zhejiang province and Anhui province were the geo-authentic producing areas of Ch. speciosa during the Song Dynasty. In addition, Zhejiang province, Hunan province, and Anhui province were the geo-authentic producing areas of Ch. speciosa during the Ming Dynasty, and Zhejiang province and Anhui province were the geo-authentic producing areas of Ch. speciosa during the Qing Dynasty. Anhui province, Zhejiang province, and Hubei province were the geo-authentic producing areas of Ch. speciosa during the Republic of China and later periods. There have been changes in the geo-authentic producing areas of Ch. speciosa since ancient times. Zhejiang province and Anhui province have been the geo-authentic producing areas of Ch. speciosa since the Tang Dynasty and Song Dynasty, respectively. This paper effectively supplemented the omissions in materia medica works through historical records from local chronicles, providing historical evidence from local chronicles for further research on the producing areas and geo-authentic producing areas of Ch. speciosa.