3.5 The Effects of Multi-Ingredient TCM
In the 57 studies with 46 prescriptions, we made an analysis on the use
of single and multiple traditional Chinese medicine (Figure 4 and table
2).
Level 1: Single TCMs. One hundred fifty-one ingredients in the
formulation have been included in this study. Of these, 27 ingredients
were used in five or more formulations. The name of each ingredient was
displayed in pin yin. According to their frequency of use in
prescription, Here is a list of TCMs: Huangqi (n = 26), baishu (n = 21),
fuling (n = 21), gancao (n = 19), maidong (n = 14), baihuashecao (n =
13), shashen (n = 13), and renshen (n = 10) (Figure 4).
Level 2: Combinations of two TCMs. In this level, a total of 22
pairs of TCMs were used more than 7 times, including huangqi + baishu (n
= 18), huangqi + fuling (n = 14), huangqi + gancao (n = 12), baishu +
fuling (n = 17), baishu + gancao (n = 13), huangqi + baihuashecao (n =
12), huangqi+ maidong (n = 11), huangqi + shashen (n = 11), baishu +
maidong (n = 11), fuling + gancao (n = 11), fuling + baihuashecao (n =
11), baishu + baihuashecao (n = 10), fuling + maidong (n = 10), maidong
+ shashen (n = 10) (Table 2).
Other levels: Combinations of three and more TCMs. These
combinations of TCMs are used no less than five times in 46
prescriptions and they were shown in Table 2.