Tai Ping Hui Min He Ji Ju Fang: The World's First National Pharmacopeia
Discover the Tai Ping Hui Min He Ji Ju Fang (太平惠民和剂局方), the Song Dynasty's official formulary that became the world's first government-published pharmacopeia. Learn about its history, famous formulas, and lasting influence on TCM.
What is the Tai Ping Hui Min He Ji Ju Fang?
The Tai Ping Hui Min He Ji Ju Fang (太平惠民和剂局方), commonly abbreviated as He Ji Ju Fang (和剂局方) and translated as the Imperial Grace Formulary of the Tai Ping Era or Peaceful Benevolent Pharmacies Formulary, is one of the most historically significant medical texts in Chinese history. First published around 1078–1085 CE during the Northern Song Dynasty and expanded in subsequent editions, it is widely regarded as the world’s first government-published national pharmacopeia.
The title tells the story: Tai Ping (Great Peace) was the era name, Hui Min (Benefiting the People) was the stated purpose, He Ji (Harmonious Preparations) referred to the standardized drug manufacturing, and Ju Fang (Bureau Formulas) indicated these were official government recipes.
Historical Context
The Song Dynasty Medical Revolution
The Song Dynasty (960–1279 CE) was a remarkable era for Chinese medicine:
- Government sponsorship: The Song emperors actively funded medical education, text compilation, and public health
- Imperial Pharmacy Bureau (太医局): Established to standardize and distribute medicines to the public
- Pharmacy offices: Government-run pharmacies in major cities sold prepared medicines at regulated prices
- Printing revolution: Woodblock printing made medical texts widely available for the first time
The He Ji Ju Fang was the official formulary of this pharmacy system — a catalog of every formula that government pharmacies were authorized to prepare and sell.
Evolution of the Text
| Edition | Year | Key Changes |
|---|---|---|
| First edition | ~1078 CE | Initial collection of pharmacy formulas |
| Chen Shi edition | 1110s | Expanded with more formulas and preparations |
| Chen Cheng edition | 1151 CE | Major revision — added detailed preparation methods |
| Xu Shuwei revision | 1132 CE | Additional formulas from the famous physician |
| Final edition | ~1200s | ~788 formulas in 10 books |
Structure and Content
The final version of the He Ji Ju Fang contains approximately 788 formulas organized into 10 books (卷):
Organizational Structure
| Book | Category | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Book 1 | Winds and cold (风冷) | Formulas for common cold, wind-strike |
| Book 2 | Wind phlegm and Qi (风痰气) | Formulas for dizziness, phlegm, chest fullness |
| Book 3 | Various accumulations (诸积) | Digestive formulas, food stagnation |
| Book 4 | All kinds of Qi (诸气) | Qi-regulating formulas |
| Book 5 | All kinds of cold (诸冷) | Warming formulas |
| Book 6 | All kinds of heat (诸热) | Heat-clearing formulas |
| Book 7 | Strangury and constipation (秘结淋) | Urinary and bowel formulas |
| Book 8 | All kinds of deficiency (诸虚) | Tonifying and nourishing formulas |
| Book 9 | Sores and injuries (疮肿伤折) | External medicine, trauma |
| Book 10 | Women and children (妇人小儿) | Gynecology and pediatrics |
What Each Formula Entry Includes
Each formula in the text was documented with remarkable standardization:
- Formula name and alternative names
- Complete ingredient list with specific quantities
- Preparation method — grinding, sifting, mixing, forming pills
- Dosage — precise instructions for how much to take
- Method of administration — with what liquid, at what time
- Indications — symptoms and conditions treated
- Contraindications — when NOT to use the formula
This level of detail was unprecedented and reflects the Song Dynasty’s commitment to standardization and quality control.
Famous Formulas from This Text
Many of the most famous formulas still used in TCM today first appeared or were popularized through the He Ji Ju Fang:
Xiao Yao San (逍遥散)
Perhaps the most famous formula from this text — the “Free and Easy Wanderer” for stress, mood swings, and Liver Qi stagnation with Spleen deficiency. Now one of the most prescribed TCM formulas in the world.
Huo Xiang Zheng Qi San (藿香正气散)
The definitive formula for gastrointestinal upset with nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea caused by external Dampness and internal disharmony. A medicine cabinet staple across East Asia.
Zhi Gan Cao Tang (炙甘草汤)
Also called “Pulse-Generating Decoction,” used for arrhythmia and palpitations with Qi and Yin deficiency. Still used in modern cardiac care in TCM hospitals.
Ping Wei San (平胃散)
The classic formula for dampness in the middle jiao — bloating, nausea, poor appetite, thick greasy tongue coating.
Si Jun Zi Tang (四君子汤)
The foundational Qi-tonifying formula — Ginseng, Atractylodes, Poria, and Licorice. The basis for dozens of derivative tonifying formulas.
Others Notable Formulas
- Er Chen Tang (二陈汤) — the standard phlegm-transforming formula
- Xiang Su San (香苏散) — for Qi stagnation with exterior cold
- Ba Zhen Tang (八珍汤) — the classic Qi and Blood tonifying combination
- Shi Quan Da Bu Tang (十全大补汤) — “Ten Significant Tonic Decoction”
Historical Significance
The World’s First Pharmacopeia
What makes the He Ji Ju Fang unique in world medical history:
- Government publication: It was published by a state agency, not an individual physician
- Standardized formulations: Every pharmacy in the empire used the same recipes with the same ingredient ratios
- Quality control: The government inspected ingredients and preparation methods
- Public accessibility: Formulas were available at government pharmacies at regulated prices
- Regular updates: The text went through multiple revised editions, much like modern pharmacopeias
By comparison, the first Western pharmacopeia (the Ricettario Fiorentino of Florence) was published in 1498 CE — over 400 years after the He Ji Ju Fang.
Impact on East Asian Medicine
The text’s influence extended far beyond China:
- Japan: Became the basis for Kampo medicine (漢方医学). Many of the most popular Japanese OTC herbal medicines trace directly to He Ji Ju Fang formulas
- Korea: Adopted during the Goryeo and Joseon dynasties; influenced the Dongui Bogam (1613)
- Vietnam: Formulas entered traditional Vietnamese medical practice
Criticism and Debate
The He Ji Ju Fang was not without controversy:
- Over-reliance on patent medicines: Critics argued that standardized formulas couldn’t account for individual patient variation — a core TCM principle
- Zhu Danxi’s critique: The famous Yuan Dynasty physician Zhu Danxi (朱丹溪) wrote a commentary criticizing the tendency to apply He Ji Ju Fang formulas mechanically without proper pattern differentiation
- Baked and honeyed preparations: Many formulas were prepared as pills or powders with long shelf life, but some physicians argued the preparation methods reduced potency
This debate — standardized medicine vs. individualized treatment — continues in various forms to this day.
Key Takeaways
- The Tai Ping Hui Min He Ji Ju Fang (~1078 CE) is the world’s first government-published national pharmacopeia
- Contains approximately 788 formulas with standardized ingredients, preparation, and dosage
- Introduced or popularized many of TCM’s most famous formulas, including Xiao Yao San and Huo Xiang Zheng Qi San
- Predates the first Western pharmacopeia by over 400 years
- Its formulas form the backbone of modern Kampo (Japanese herbal) medicine
- Sparked enduring debate about standardized vs. individualized treatment approaches
Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only. The He Ji Ju Fang is a historical text. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using any herbal formula.
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FAQ
Who is this article for?
This article is for readers who want a practical, beginner-friendly understanding of this TCM topic.
Can this article replace professional medical advice?
No. This content is educational only and should not replace diagnosis or treatment from a qualified healthcare professional.
Disclaimer
This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment.