Many people have studied the Ben Cao Gang Mu (Compendium of Materia Medica), and research on it has almost become a specialized academic discipline. My reflections on reading the Ben Cao Gang Mu are merely a small insight into this great work. In the opening section of Li Shizhen‘s Ben Cao Gang Mu, the principles … Read more
Seven essential materia medica texts are crucial for practitioners preparing for their exams. The editor of Global Online School has compiled relevant content, hoping to assist candidates. The examination syllabus requires an understanding of the academic value, authors, and publication dates of these seven texts. These texts, in chronological order of their publication, are: Shen … Read more
I still remember hearing about the Ben Cao Gang Mu (Compendium of Materia Medica) when I was very young. Since studying medicine, I have always hoped to read it thoroughly. The renowned TCM master Li Shizhen has always been highly regarded. However, a recent article has criticized the Ben Cao Gang Mu for recording many … Read more
This article is adapted from: The Cry in My Heart Although medical texts are said to be life-saving books, they are often lifeless, leaving readers with a sense of blandness and distaste. When faced with vibrant life, medical practitioners and literary figures are entirely different; the former must strip away all poetic elements, using a … Read more
Issue 19—The Historical Transmission of Materia Medica Literature (Part 3) (with audio) In the previous two issues of Exploring Traditional Culture, we delved into the historical transmission of materia medica literature before the Tang Dynasty and during the Song, Jin, and Yuan Dynasties. Click the links below to revisit ☟ Exploring Traditional Culture | Issue … Read more
Call Number: R281.3/48 Author Biography Li Shizhen (1518–1593), styled Dongbi, later self-named Binhushanren, was a great medical scientist of ancient China from Qizhou (now Qichun County, Huanggang City, Hubei Province) during the Ming Dynasty. He authored the renowned pharmacological work, Ben Cao Gang Mu (The Compendium of Materia Medica). Li Shizhen also studied pulse diagnosis … 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
In the current battle against the COVID-19 pandemic in China, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has played a significant role. The TCM classic, the Ben Cao Gang Mu (Compendium of Materia Medica), compiled over 500 years ago, documented many effective methods for disaster and epidemic prevention. In terms of air disinfection, burning substances such as Chen … Read more
The Ben Cao Gang Mu (Compendium of Materia Medica) is the most significant achievement of the renowned Ming dynasty physician and pharmacologist Li Shizhen. It is a monumental work that encapsulates his lifelong learning and is a comprehensive compilation of earlier materia medica texts. Its influence has lasted for over 400 years, holding an important … Read more
In the Ming Dynasty, the physician Li Shizhen spent nearly thirty years compiling the classic TCM text, the Ben Cao Gang Mu (Compendium of Materia Medica), which has been published for over 400 years and has received high acclaim from renowned scholars both domestically and internationally. However, it has recently faced criticism online due to … Read more