Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica

by Dan Bensky, Steven Clavey, Erich Stoger

The new 3rd edition of Chinese Herbal Materia Medica is designed to give practitioners the information they need to practice Chinese herbal medicine with greater understanding and confidence. It provides a wealth of new information -– more than twice the content of the previous edition -- and practical insight into more than 530 of the most commonly used herbs in the Chinese pharmacopoeia. Drawing from a wide range of sources, both classical and modern, this edition provides unparalleled perspective and detail that goes far beyond what is available elsewhere to the Western practitioner. Herbs are grouped in chapters by function, with expanded summaries and tables for contrast and comparison. Each herb is identified by its pharmaceutical, pinyin, botanical, and family names, as well as Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and English common names. Key characteristics are provided at the beginning of each entry, along with dosage, properties, channels entered, and relevant cautions and contraindications. This provides a quick overview of essential information. Actions and indications are integrated with important combinations that illustrate the range of an herb’s functions, 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 Expanded commentary offers in-depth analysis and places each herb in its clinical context through rich historical references. The mechanisms of action underlying important combinations, and comparisons with similar herbs, provide a broader context for understanding how the herb 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 advantages of each method. It also provides information about other commonly-used names and historical background. Safety is an important focus of this edition, with an emphasis on proper herb identification. Issues concerning standardized products, desirable qualities, variants, and adulterants are explained for each herb. There is also extensive information on toxicity, as well as chemical constituents. The utility of this book is enhanced by its wide range of appendices, among which are 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, pharmaceutical name, and other East Asian languages. There are also comprehensive indices of both herbs and formulas, as well as a general index.

Genres: Traditional Chinese Medicine, Medicine, Herbs, Health, Reference, Nonfiction, Medical

1311 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1990

Reviews

[Cintain 昆遊龍 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent foundation resource. Not only is it exhaustive and well-organized, but the breadth of information and its clarity make it the must-go reference in Chinese Herbology in the West. I love this book, and carry it around with me everywhere I go that I might need to look up an herb. Cannot praise it highly enough. Having studied with notes from teachers and other books, this is always the one I go to.

[Justin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is not for everyone. It is not for me. I think that someone who knows more about TCM than I do will be able to do something with herbal actions that talk about wind, dampness and fire. I do think that this will be a wonderful resource for those who understand it and that is why I rate it highly.

The pros as I can see them:
Nice english herb name to chinese herb name lookup
Best efficacy studies
Best safety/toxicity information (actually quotes studies)

[Eric Grey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book every day. I know different folks have different opinions on the best Materia medica - but of all those I have used, this is my favorite HANDS DOWN. It has all of the relevant information, including discussion of preparation methods, traditional indications, classical text sources... I love it.

[Eabranon · Rating 4 out of 5]

i'd give it 5 stars because it deserves it but i am still too disgruntled about all the details i have to memorize

[KL Dilley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Please dear friends wish me luck on my herb comps next week!
This is an amazing resource, I just wish there was any possible way to read this in bed. I could seriously injure myself with this tome if I did that!

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing resource. Dan Bensky and all the authors involved in writing, researching, and compiling this book did great job in providing comprehensive entries for a huge section of the herbs used in the the Chinese herbal tradition.

[Shelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great Reference for Chinese Herbs

[Stacy Brand · Rating 3 out of 5]

First things first, let me tell you, this book is a hefty one. It's a veritable encyclopedia of herbs and their medicinal uses in Traditional Chinese Medicine. If you're looking for a comprehensive reference guide, this bad boy's got you covered.

But, let's be real, this book is not for the faint of heart. It's dense, it's technical, and it's not exactly a page-turner. If you're not seriously committed to the study of Chinese herbal medicine, you might find yourself nodding off after a few pages.

That being said, the information contained within these pages is top-notch. The descriptions of each herb are incredibly detailed, and the illustrations are top-notch. It's clear that the author has a wealth of knowledge and experience in this field.

So, while I can't say that this book is a thrilling read, I can say that it's an invaluable resource for anyone serious about the study and practice of Chinese herbal medicine. Just be sure to have a pot of strong tea and a comfy chair nearby, because you're going to be here for a while.

[Ernest Valverde]

Great infos!

[Sally]

recommended by an amazon reviewer instead of The Web Has No Weaver, which is required for the herbalist course at heart of herbs.com

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

All things chinese herbal medicine

[Macpherson]

I don't know if I'll ever not be currently reading this book!

[Courtney · Rating 3 out of 5]

holy crap. (ok, fine, I didn't read *all* of it...)

[David Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of three books that are the bibles of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

[Diolosa · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is a good book for beginners, the dosages for the formulas are wrong and should never be used ..
A bit heavy , should be print in a pocket size.

[Vern Mcfalls · Rating 4 out of 5]

AS reference books go, this was pretty good. It difficult to find a copy of this that is affordable.

[Jessie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chock full of information. A wonderful reference book!