Objective To clarity the connotation and denotation of medicinal cuisine from ancient and modern time

so as to develop the standardization of academic and industrial aspects. Methods With regard of archaeology of knowledge

modern literature involving 18 textbooks

4 monographs

32 dictionaries

6 glossaries of technological terms and 3 regulations

from which the concepts of medicinal cuisine were searched and compared by sorting out

logical analysis and synchronic contrast analysis.Records linked to medicinal cuisine in Twenty-five Histories were searched to evaluate its professionlism.Four oldest designed monographs of medicinal cuisine remained（ Tang Dynasty） were retrieved to summarize the application of the diet preparation contained Chinese medical herbs. Results The connotation and denotation of the modern concepts of medicinal cuisine were vague and conflicting. The medicinal cuisine industry was derived from the commercial operation of the non-medical staff. It was in the historical records the Chinese characters of medicinal cuisine recorded

not in the ancient medical records. The purpose of the early diet preparation contained medical herbs only directed at diseases.Conclusion In ancient time

the precise meaning of medicinal cuisine was composed of Chinese medicine and cuisine. It is inappropriate to commercially operate the modern concept of medicinal cuisine which should be one part of dietotherapy.