Li Shizhen was a great medical scientist and naturalist in Chinese history, dedicating his life to the epoch-making masterpiece – ‘Bencao Gangmu’ (Compendium of Materia Medica). This work has had a profound impact on the maintenance of the prosperity of the Chinese nation and the advancement and development of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and other … Read more
This article examines and organizes the transmission and origins of the Compendium of Materia Medica (Bencao Gangmu) during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Starting from the original text of the Compendium, it employs bibliographic research methods to analyze the major editions throughout history, systematically discussing the versions of the Compendium during the Ming and Qing … Read more
The Classic of Traditional Chinese Medicine: Bencao Gangmu Book Introduction: Bencao Gangmu (Compendium of Materia Medica) is a pharmacological work consisting of fifty-two volumes, authored by Li Shizhen during the Ming Dynasty and published in 1590. The book contains over 1.9 million words, documenting 1,892 medicinal substances, compiling 11,096 medical prescriptions, and featuring 1,160 exquisite … Read more
The Compendium of Materia Medica (Bencao Gangmu) consists of fifty-two volumes. The author spent nearly thirty years compiling it, documenting 1,892 types of medicinal substances, accompanied by over 1,000 illustrations of herbs. It elaborates on the properties, indications, usage methods, origins, forms, collection, processing, and compatibility of these substances, and includes over 10,000 prescriptions. This … Read more
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
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