An Illustrated Chinese Materia Medica by Jing-Nuan Wu Hardcover

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One of the cornerstones of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), herbal medicine has evolved over centuries of clinical practice and empirical results into a vast body of knowledge encompassing more than 6,000 substances, most of whose effects and uses have been documented and researched. The literature on Chinese medicinal herbs is unparalleled and unsurpassed in the world's medical knowledge; the earliest known pharmacological work was composed before the end of the third century B.C. The first classical Chinese materia medica appeared during the late Han dynasty (25-22- A.D.) and included 365 entries of botanical, zoological, and mineral substances, listing their properties and effects. Subsequent materia medica were assembled during virtually every dynasty from the Liang (456-536 A.D.) to the Qing (1645-1911). Among the major treatments published during these centuries was the 30-volume Materia Medica Arranged According to Pattern, which had 1558 entries, more than 3,000 formulae, and became the official pharmacopoeia of herbal medicine in China for 500 years. An Illustrated Chinese Materia Medica brings to the English language a lavishly illustrated atlas of the 320 herbs used most frequently in traditional Chinese medical practice. Each substance is profiled authoritatively in monographs that provide pharmaceutical, botanical and English names; flavor properties and channel tropisms; functions; clinical uses and major combinations; dosage and administration; and precautions. Intended for medicinal and pharmaceutical chemists as well as practitioners of homeopathic and alternative medicines, this materia medica offers a unique blend of authenticity that is derived from knowledge of classical Chinese literature with a clearly practical objective of presenting valuable information in a straightforward, easily comprehensible style.

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Love the photos but priced way too high, May 09, 2013
By Herblady (Park Slope, Brooklyn, NY USA)

I bought this book for about $60 and was pleased. I very much enjoyed the photographs of the plants (as opposed to dried herb samples.) The information is a bit sketchy however. I had shown it to my herbal students, thinking of using it for my introductory herbs class. But when I saw the price at $237 I suggested that they get either the Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica, Third Edition or Chinese Medical Herbology & Pharmacology books which have considerably more information and can be obtained for under $100. In the days of Google there is no reason to pay this much for non-art photos.

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My first TCM Materia Medica, February 02, 2012
By Ned A. Ashton

This book is great, however I was disappointed to discover there wasn't an entry for Ling Zhi (Reishi Mushroom), whats up with that. If you can get a copy for $100 or less than its a good deal, but I wouldn't pay any more than that.

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