Bencao Gangmu

The Enigma of Chinese Medicine: The Regrets of “Bencao Gangmu” and the Lost Miraculous Herbs in History

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The Enigma of Chinese Medicine: The Regrets of "Bencao Gangmu" and the Lost Miraculous Herbs in History

A historical coincidence or mistake often leaves behind irreparable errors, untraceable truths, or perplexing enigmas for future generations… To practice medicine or to be an official? That is the question. Those familiar with Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) or Chinese history should know about the book “Bencao Gangmu” and its author, Li Shizhen. The lost herb … Read more

The Compendium of Materia Medica

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The Compendium of Materia Medica

The Compendium of Materia Medica (Bencao Gangmu), a pharmacological work, consists of fifty-two volumes, authored by Li Shizhen during the Ming Dynasty, published in 1590. The entire book contains over 1.9 million words, documenting 1,892 types of medicinal substances, compiling 11,096 medical prescriptions, and featuring 1,160 exquisite illustrations, categorized into 16 sections and 60 categories. … Read more