1.
crude drug; herbal medicine ingredient; natural medicinal material
Natural substances — typically plants, but also minerals and animal products — used as ingredients in traditional medicine, especially in kampo (漢方). These are the raw or minimally processed materials from which medicines are prepared.
生薬を煎じて飲む。
To brew and drink herbal medicine.
この漢方薬は複数の生薬を配合している。
This kampo medicine is a blend of multiple herbal ingredients.
高麗人参は古くから貴重な生薬として珍重されてきた。
Korean ginseng has been valued as a precious herbal medicine ingredient since ancient times.
READING NOTE:
Also read as きぐすり, but しょうやく is the standard reading in medical and pharmaceutical contexts.
USAGE:
A technical term in traditional medicine, pharmacology, and kampo. Commonly encountered in product labels for herbal medicines and health supplements.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 生薬を配合する (to blend herbal ingredients)
- 生薬を煎じる (to brew herbal medicine)
- 天然生薬 (natural herbal ingredients)