臺灣中醫藥「轉骨」概念與劑型之發展

Abstract

「轉骨」是臺灣的特有經驗，一般指兒童成長到大人的這段過程，以最明顯的身高變化取其意為轉骨。這樣的特有文化，從無到有發展出其理論及方劑，劑型也隨時代有所改變。本研究即是梳理「轉骨」百年來的史料文獻，試圖歸納整理出一條臺灣轉骨發展史。轉骨於日治時期仍停留在概念性，資料既零散又隱密，並無完整的理論，加上社會環境貧脊，以簡單滋養物和民間草藥為轉骨的大宗。到戰後名詞的明確化、飲食的明確化、醫學的明確化等等多項因素才促使轉骨被形塑成明確的需求。回歸其本質仍然是中醫藥，倘若要求有療效的轉骨，中醫學的診斷與治療較實際是「食品」的保健食品來得專業有效，再搭配生活作息、均衡飲食、規律運動方能達成轉骨長高的目標。「轉骨方」劑型的發展對應臺灣戰後經濟、社會、醫學、生物科技等等的變化。經濟改善生活品質，使社會逐漸淡忘民間草藥的妙用，水藥雖速效但耗時煎煮，濃縮製劑的簡便性脫穎而出。中醫藥進一步科學化，取得社會大眾的信任，從而保證小兒轉骨的需求和供給。

“Tńg-Kut” is a distinct experience in Taiwan which typically refers to the process of a child maturing into an adult with the most obvious change in height taken to represent Tńg-Kut. This unique culture has developed its own theories and medicinal recipes from scratch with evolvement in delivery mechanisms over time. This study attempts to summarize the history of Tńg-Kut’s development in Taiwan by navigating through the relevant historical documents of the past century. During the Japanese colonial era, Tńg-Kut was still purely conceptual with scattered and implicit information and lacked integration in its theory. In the impoverished social environment, simple nourishment and folk herbal medicine were mostly adopted for the purpose tńg-kut at the time. Tńg-Kut was only shaped into a specific need after the war with improved clarity in its terminology, diet, and medicine. The essence of Tńg-Kut is still a form of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Supposedly, if one wishes to gain therapeutic effects from Tńg-Kut, the diagnosis and treatment in TCM would be more professional and effective for children to achieve Tńg-Kut and grow in height combined with a healthy lifestyle, balanced diet, and regular exercise. The development of Tńg-Kut medicinal formulas adapted to the changes in economy, society, medicine, and biotechnological advancements in Taiwan after war. As the economy led to improvements in quality of life, society gradually discarded their folk medicine herbs which were served in water-base for quicker effects, but were time-consuming in preparation. Herein, the simplicity of concentrated medicinal preparations stands out. Further attempts to advance the science of TCM will gain the trust of society and ensure the demand and supply of Tńg-Kut for children.