对中药五味中咸味的中医药内涵、咸味药基原的分布特征以及咸味与四气、归经等药性理论的关联关系进行归纳和总结，并对咸味味觉受体、味觉表达及物质基础研究进行阐述。最后，概述了咸味药物配伍理论在临床上的应用，为咸味药性理论更好地指导临床实践提供参考。

Authors summarized the connotation of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) theory on the salty in five flavors of TCM and the distribution of base resource of salt-taste herbs. At the same time, the correlation between salt-taste and four properties, meridian, and other herb property theory was analyzed. Then, the authors elaborated the gustatory receptor, taste representation, and research of material basis of salt-taste. Finally, the authors described the clinical applications of compatibility methods of salt-taste herbs, which will provide the references to guide the clinical applications of the theory on salt-taste herbs better.

国家自然科学基金重点项目（81430096）