Toxicity and clinical reasonable application of Taoren (Semen Persicae) based on ancient and modern literature research.

OBJECTIVE To probe the toxicity and relative application theory of the commonly-used traditional Chinese herbal drug Taoren (Semen Persicae), and set up a correct attitude and principle and method to use Taoren (Semen Persicae) for treating the syndrome of stagnation of blood stasis and others in TCM clinic. METHODS In this study, we analyzed and probed the ancient and modern literature research about Taoren (Semen Persicae), and summarized the realization of its toxicity and application contraindications in ancient herbals and the research assertion of its processing, drug-nature, pharmacologic actions, adverse reaction, and clinical reasonable application in modern literature. RESULTS We found that some TCM doctors were worried about the effect of Taoren (Semen Persicae) 's disintegrating blood stasis to impair body's healthy Qi and its toxicity, and were not good at using this herb. And some patients were afraid of its toxic and side-effect not to take it. In the ancient and modern literatures some proper hates of Taoren (Semen Persicae) existed, and the toxicity component was also clear-cut, and the applications of Taoren (Semen Persicae) were in many fields especially the gynecological and traumatological diseases. The key root of toxicity generation and unreasonable application of Taoren (Semen Persicae) lies in taking without syndrome differentiation or using with overdosage. CONCLUSION Under the precondition of correct processing, treatment based on syndrome differentiation, and taking the dosage stipulated by laws to apply Taoren (Semen Persicae) should be quite safe. The ancient and modern literature records and researches about Taoren (Semen Persicae) provide the determinate reference for understanding Taoren (Semen Persicae)'s efficacy and drug-nature (toxicity) more objectively and also for further correctly clinic recognition and research on Taoren (Semen Persicae).