服食與食治：論蘇軾藥食養生的文化意涵

The Cultural Significance of “Medical Food” for Maintaining Good Health: Su Shi as the Advocate

中國傳統的藥食養生具有深遠的文化根源、悠久的歷史，而在發展歷程中，宋代為重要的關鍵期，由於印刷術的發達，造就官方、民間刊印醫籍普遍流傳，宋人透過自學方式學習醫藥知識，逐漸形成一群「尚醫」文人。其中，文壇領袖蘇軾更是指標性人物，其結合本草知識與生活經驗，嘗試將草木上藥平易化，以適合日常飲食，或居家保健。又其晚年謫居嶺南期間，提倡蔬食養生，運用巧思與創意，講究烹調技法，呈現蔬食的天然真味，除具有食治功效外，尚使人心靈安適，並表現文人的審美意趣及文化品味。自宋代以後，藥食養生亦逐漸成為人們追求健康、抗老、長生的一種生活型態。

Traditional “medical food” for maintaining good health has a long history. The Song dynasty was the main period of its development. With the progress of printing, medical books became popular and widespread. The literati of the Song dynasty learned medical knowledge virtually by themselves; among them, Su Shi, the leader of the literature, was an iconic person. He possessed medicine-related literacy and tried to integrate the mild and non-toxic herbs into people’s daily diet. Even in his old age; he continued to advocate the benefits of vegetarianism. Based on his ingenuityand originality, the focus of his recommended cuisine was that the natural flavors of food should be presented. While “medical food” has a curing function, it also comforts the soul. The aesthetics of the literati could be appreciated as well as their cultural taste derived from the principles underlying vegetarianism.After Song dynasty, “medical food” for maintaining good health is a kind of lifestyle approach to the pursuit of health, anti-aging and a long life.