Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica

"This is one of the oldest English title books on TCM Herbs and have been revised. It offers compilation of herbs and contraindictions and sketches of them. There is almost nothing of original research nature. The book has been used for those chose to take English language exam in the US for sometime. As China is opening to many foreign students and practitioners, many can read Chinese text. The book is becoming outdated for many reasons: 1. Translation is choppy at best, 2. Sketches need to be less artistic and requiring more details. 3. Modern pharmacology terms are needed. 4. No interactions with other herbs are described in modern scientific terms. 5. No current reference or clinical data are to support the claims. 6. There are numerous PinYin, Latin and Korean terms typo flaws throughout the entire book(This is most unfortunate as students depend on them for survival- a sign that proof reading with foreign language processors was not attempted or applied). The caligraphical terms for each section are problematic and can be fixed with something easier to read. I was also informed more herbs are included in the forth coming edition for $120.00 a book. Many US registered LAcs return from China claim they can obtain Chinese pharmacology/herb books for ~US $5.00 with essentially the same information. The expectation for this and any new editions for supposed a high quality scholarly text is now higher or one can go back to $5.00 version with a Chinese-English dictionary for a total of $10.00 not $120 dollars.

This is a useful reference book which can be more scientific and modern (e.g., lists more recent sources, and clinical data to substantiate claims)to remain as authoritative source. The book seems to suggest the authors compiled the text from classical sources and referenced to the text.
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~ Written on 2004-09-25

"This isn't a review of the book, though I am an acupuncture student and need to purchase this "bible" on herbs. What I'd like to state is the idiocy of "captnerfertiti"...the reviewer above who said that one should go to China if they want a real Chinese Medical Doctor. How can he make such a blanket statement about everyone practicing TCM in the United States? I'm sure people will see through his anger. Countless people have been helped by this medicine, including myself. That's why I went into it. And "us" in TCM will see his problem as a Liver imbalance leading to Fire which has damaged his Heart and disturbed his Shen. Please keep the "road rage" off these pages."
~ Written on 2003-11-22

"This is still the authorative book on single Chinese herbs. However, Chinese herbs are nearly always combined into formulas, and Bensky has another equally huge book on that topic. These two books are medical references for licensed acupuncturists (who are Chinese herbalists), and NOT for the casual reader or layperson to medicate themselves. You won't be able to properly apply the information in these two books without first learning Chinese medical diagnosis - the right medicine must follow from an accurate diagnosis.

The tragedies and legislation concerning ephedra illustrate that laypeople will not neccesarily use herbs traditionally, or safely.

Most traditional acupuncturists in the West attend 4 year schools, and more than 900 hours of herbal medicine are included in their training. I would suggest, if you want to avail yourself of the power of Chinese herbal medicine, that you see one of them.

If you're looking for a more practical layperson's introduction to Chinese herbs, check out David Molony's, or Jake Fratkin's books. Another good one is Henry Lu's book on combining Chinese herbs with foods to balance your patterns of imbalance."
~ Written on 2003-08-26

"This book is very good if you are looking for descriptions and clinical research of the book. However, due to the variable nature of Chinese medicine, the dosages and usages of the medicines should not be written into the book. Also, each herb has it's own use and should NOT be categorized into "symptoms" categories as all those herbs can belong to several categories and not just one of them. If you are looking to heal yourself by using this book, don't do it. You can get yourself VERY sick. However, if you are just looking for light info on an herb, this is a good book.

One more thing, if you want a real Chinese medicine doctor, goto China. The ones in the US(especially California), are [not worth the money], undertrained and have absolutly no idea what they're doing. They couldn't tell yin from yang if it hit them in the head. And no, Chiropractics doesn't do anything to heal you, it's just a mind thing, that's why Chiropractors keep on telling you to go back, so they can rip off your insurance."
~ Written on 2002-10-15

"This is a well written and authoritive text that is very precise, yet easily readable. The book is categorized by the functions of herbs, and makes an extremely conveinant reference. The index is complete with Pin-yin translations as well as english, korean and japanese. A must have book for those interested in Chinese Herbal Medicine. Illurstrations are included for all herbs, and medicinals. Rational explanations are included for the functions of the herbs, as well as information about common combinations with other herbs. Truly a great text!"
~ Written on 2000-04-06