The new 3rd edition of Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica is designed to give practitioners the information they need to practice Chinese herbal medicine with greater understanding and confidence. It provides a wealth of new information - more than twice the content of the previous edition -- and practical insight into more than 530 of the most commonly used herbs in the Chinese pharmacopoeia.
The study of the herbal aspects of Chinese Medicine is still new to me. I am grateful for this unique text and the vast, comprehensive standard which the authors have set. Its organization for a newcomer is stellar. I also anticipate it would remain extremely helpful to experienced herbalists.
The table of contents lays out the "Materia" by their purpose for specific diagnoses: releasing the exterior, clearing heat, extinguishing wind, etc. There is a significant section on obsolete herbs and other substances that details why -- fascinating and useful for those reading historical texts. It provides information on what has been modified to achieve greater safety and/or to cooperate with preventing extinction to endangered species.
Each chapter has its own title page which rapidly summarizes the materia therein and any overall general subdivisions. For example, the chapter on HERBS THAT RELEASE THE EXTERIOR is divided by those that are warm+acrid versus cool+acrid, and it is followed by a nice comparative summary of specialized functions at the end. Similarly, the chapter on HERBS THAT CLEAR HEAT has separate subsections for those which also drain fire, cool the blood, dry dampness, resolve toxicity, and address deficiency heat. Again, these are followed by a very helpful summary of comparative functions. This systematic structure is very useful to me as a student struggling to form an an overall gestalt for such a complex field. It also seems like a powerful resource to revisit when puzzling over a potential formula and wondering what other alternatives might better suit a particular individualized need.
Product Details :
Hardcover: 1311 pages
Publisher: Eastland Press; 3 edition (September 2004)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0939616424
ISBN-13: 978-0939616428
Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 8.9 x 2.5 inches
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