A Philological study on Submersion Property of Aquilariae Lignum

ABSTRACT Objectives : The purpose of this study is searching for grounds of new regulations about submerging properties of Aquilariae Lignum described in the Korean Herbal Pharmacopoeia.Methods : Through the investigation of the various Chinese histories and herbal classics, the definitions of Aquilariae Lignum and documents on actual trade and discrimination methods by sinking under water.Results : In Jiaozhouyiwuzhi(交州異物志) written in the early 2nd century, Aqu ilariae Lignum was defined as heart wood part or knots sinking under water due to hard and dark deposition of resins. Also, which are not sinking were defined as zhan xiang(棧香), and which are floating were named as qian xiang(槧香). The definitions of Aquilariae Lignum had not been changed till Chin g Dynasty era, but the classification and the names about not-sinking and floating Lignum materials were a li ttle changed.Conclusions : These results indicate that it is reasonable to make a regulati on that "Aquilariae Lignum sinks under water" in the property description of The Korean Herbal Pharmacopoeia.Key words : Aquilariae Lignum, Sinking under water, The Korean Herbal Phar macopoeia