also: きぐすり · せいやく
noun
crude drug; natural medicine; galenical
Refers to unprocessed or minimally processed natural substances used as medicines, such as herbs, minerals, or animal parts. Common in traditional medicine contexts.
漢方では、さまざまな生薬を組み合わせて処方する。
In Kampo medicine, various crude drugs are combined to make a prescription.
この生薬は乾燥させた根から
This crude drug is made from dried roots.
Rare reading; less common than しょうやく.
From 生 (raw, unprocessed) and 薬 (medicine). The reading しょうやく is the most common Sino-Japanese reading; きぐすり is a native Japanese reading, and せいやく is an alternative Sino-Japanese reading.