Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica, Third Edition
NEWS Product Description
The new 3rd edition of Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica is designed to give practitioners the information they need to practice Chinese medicine in plants with more understanding and trust. It provides a wealth of new information – more than twice the content of the previous edition – and practical insight into more than 530 herbs most commonly used in Chinese medicine.
Drawing on a wide range of sources, both classical and modern, this edition provides unparalleled perspective and detail that goes far beyond what is available elsewhere in the Western practitioner.
Herbs are grouped into chapters by function, with extended abstracts and tables for contrast and comparison. Each plant is identified by its pharmaceutical, pinyin, botanical names, as well as Chinese, Japanese names, Korean and English course.
Key features are provided at the beginning of each entry, as well as dosage, properties, entering channels, and precautions and cons-indications. This gives a quick overview of essential information.
Actions and indications are integrated with important combinations that illustrate the range of functions of an herb, with references to appropriate formulas. This presents a more three-dimensional picture of how each herb is actually used. Expanded Commentary
offers in-depth analysis and places each plant in its clinical context through rich historical references. The mechanisms of action underlying important combinations, and comparisons with similar herbs to provide a broader context for understanding how the plant can be used with optimal effect.
A section devoted to nomenclature and preparation describes the most important methods of processing and preparing each herb and the benefits of each method. It also provides information on other commonly used names and historical context.
Security is an important focus of this edition, focusing on the correct identification of herbs. Issues concerning standardized products, the desirable qualities, variants, and adulterants are explained for each herb. There is also much information on the toxicity and chemical components.
The usefulness of this book is enhanced by its wide range of appendices, which include color photographs comparing the standard and adulterant forms of over 20 common herbs, tables of herbs that are indicated for specific pathologies of the five yin organs and extensive cross references of the herbs by taxonomy, pinyin, the names of chinese herbals and other East Asian languages. There are also comprehensive indices of both herbs and formulas, and a general index.
At last Bensky, et al. third edition is finally out and what a huge source of knowledge it is. For anyone using Chinese medicines, it’s really your Bible. Massively increased from the 2nd edition, there are hundreds of many other drugs included.
Wonderfully categorized, well explained, beautifully illustrated and well indexed, this text allows all readers easy source of detailed information on hundreds of drugs used in Chinese medicine.
required reading for all doctors of Chinese medicine and those who want to learn more about medicinal products Chinese. Can not wait for Bensky et al. “Formulas and Strategies” 2nd edition!
Rating: 5 / 5
When I went to update my handwritten notes on the second edition I have found that the material had already been added. Much improved over the old edition with more information on other species, constituents, Pao Zhi and uses modern technology. He’s always the annoying multiple indices, but at least they are thumb indexed. Well worth the investment for owners of previous editions that are actively using herbal medicine.
Rating: 5 / 5
Although the information is excellent, there are printing errors so numerous that it is ridiculous. How could so many mistakes to the publication, especially at the asking price? I hope that future editions can remedy this problem seems easy, even before selling a product.
Rating: 2 / 5
Well, what can you say about this book? This is a hefty book giant, and could certainly lead to some sort of cerbral damage if dropped from a window on the third floor.
No, seriously, it is a great concise book, and as the title of this review implies, it becomes more manageable after you get used to it. Used only for himself, he will probably not help the student in Chinese herbalism to new ACE exams, but the techniques used by other studies, it will Furter deepen and strengthen the study of herbs.
Rating: 5 / 5
Great Book for anyone who is a novice or even a Chinese doctor. I have a few other herbs reference but once I got this book, it is always the first choice when I need to find a Chinese herb in particular.
Worth every penny I paid for!
Rating: 5 / 5