1. Abandoning Literature for MedicineLi Shizhen was born in the 13th year of the Zhengde era of the Ming Dynasty (1518 AD) in Qizhou Town, Qichun County, Hubei Province. His father, Li Yanwen, was a physician known for his medical skills in the surrounding counties and had previously held the position of “Taiyi Li Mu” … Read more
Ben Cao Gang Mu The Compendium of Materia Medica (Bencao Gangmu) was written by the Ming Dynasty physician Li Shizhen. It is a monumental work that synthesizes and summarizes previous achievements in materia medica, compiled over decades of practice and research. The book contains over 1.9 million words, divided into 16 sections and 60 categories, … Read more
Click the blue text Follow us This Herb Issue Four Outline Contents Written by Li Shizhen, the Compendium of Materia Medica (Bencao Gangmu) is a culmination of pre-Ming dynasty materia medica studies, and it was the first to adopt a systematic classification of medicinal substances, pioneering the way for future materia medica texts. The book … Read more
Click on the “blue word” to follow us! In the current battle against the COVID-19 pandemic, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has played an important role. As the sacred text of TCM, the Ben Cao Gang Mu (Compendium of Materia Medica), compiled over 500 years ago, recorded many effective methods for disaster prevention and epidemic control. … Read more
《本草纲目》 (Compendium of Materia Medica) is a monumental work compiled by the great Ming dynasty physician Li Shizhen (1518–1593) to correct errors in ancient medical texts. He dedicated his life to this endeavor, conducting extensive research and practical experience, culminating in a comprehensive summary of materia medica over a period of 29 years, representing over … Read more
Introduction: Who is Li Shizhen? It is said that he was a master of internal cultivation; otherwise, how could he have written such a great medical work in ancient times using only his nose, eyes, and tongue? The book records many medicines that leave us astonished and even challenge our worldview. We do not understand … Read more
Fang Zhou Kai Qi Use Heart to Exchange Tickets The most influential pharmacological monograph in the world is undoubtedly the “Compendium of Materia Medica” (Bencao Gangmu) written by the Ming dynasty physician Li Shizhen (1518-1593). In 2008, the State Council approved the first batch of the “National Precious Ancient Books Directory,” and Li Shizhen’s “Compendium … Read more
The Digital Specimen Museum of Traditional Chinese Medicine is a key platform developed by the Zhejiang Provincial Institute for Food and Drug Inspection, serving as a regulatory exchange platform for traditional Chinese medicine, a cultural heritage platform, and a public health information platform. It aims to provide technical inquiries about Chinese medicinal materials, business communication … Read more
01 Bencao Gangmu (本草纲目) was completed in 1550 BC, consisting of fifty-two volumes. The author spent nearly thirty years compiling it, including 1,892 types of medicinal substances and over 1,000 illustrations of herbs, elaborating on the properties, therapeutic effects, usage rules, origins, forms, collection, processing, and compatibility of these substances, along with over 10,000 prescriptions. … Read more
“Liu Genghong Girls,” Have you “Bencao Gangmu” today? “Bencao Gangmu”Lyrics by: Fang WenshanMusic by: Jay ChouOriginal singer: Jay ChouIf Hua Tuo were alive again, all foreign influences would be treatedForeigners come to learn Chinese characters, igniting my national consciousnessMa Qianzi (Strychnos nux-vomica), Jue Ming Zi (Cassia seed), Cang Er Zi (Xanthium fruit), and lotus seedsHuang … Read more