also: きぐすり · せいやく
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.
In Kampo medicine, various crude drugs are combined to make a prescription.
This crude drug is made from dried roots.
pharmacognosy
Standard kanji form; the most common reading is しょうやく.
Rare reading; may be encountered in traditional contexts.
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.