Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica

The new portable edition of Chinese Herbal Medicine Materia Medica (Portable 3rd Ed.) is designed to provide students and practitioners with the same comprehensive and authoritative content that they´ve  always relied on, but in a lightweight and more flexible format.

The Materia Medica provides a wealth of information 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, it provides unparalleled perspective and detail that goes far beyond what is available elsewhere to the Western practitioner. Among its many features:

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Expanded commentary offers in-depth analysis and places each herb in its clinical context through rich historical references.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 the effects of taste combinations, 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.

REVIEWS:
The new 3rd edition of Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica raises the bar on the practice of herbal medicine in the West. Its commentaries on individual herbs and their combinations provide a wealth of practical information previously unavailable in English. The book is not just informative, it’s fun to read.

Carles Chace, L.Ac.

I use your book several times each day. It’s totally invaluable. Thank you for providing us all with such an indispensable tool. I’m immensely grateful!
Christine Leon, Head, Chinese Medicinal Plants Authentication & Conservation Centre, Royal Botanic Gardens

[The 3rd edition] sets a new standard of excellence for Chinese herbals. The level of scholarship in this book is a reminder of what is possible through a combination of intellect, integrity, and hard work. A ‘must’ for the clinic and the classroom.

Craig Mitchell, L.Ac.

A vastly improved edition. The commentary, comparisons, and new data on nomenclature and quality control all add considerably to previous editions and other versions of the Materia Medica. In particular, the descriptions of herbal individuality and applications which are rooted in traditional energetics and classical references are the great strength of this book.

The Journal of Chinese Medicine

CONTENTS:
Preface
Introduction
Herbs that Release the Exterior
Herbs that Clear Heat
Downward-Draining Herbs
Herbs that Drain Dampness
Herbs that Dispel Wind-Dampness
Herbs that Transform Phlegm and Stop Coughing
Aromatic Herbs that Transform Dampness
Herbs that Relieve Food Stagnation
Herbs that Regulate the Qi
Herbs that Regulate the Blood
Herbs that Warm the Interior and Expel Cold
Tonifying Herbs
Herbs that Stabilize and Bind
Substances that Calm the Spirit
Aromatic Substances that Open the Orifices
Substances that Extinguish Wind and Stop Tremors
Herbs that Expel Parasites
Substances for Topical Application
Obsolete Substances
Table 1 Herbs Associated with Pathologies of the Five Yin Organs
Table 2 Summary Table of Herb Actions and Indications
Table 3 The Effects of Taste Combinations
Appendix 1 Guide to Pronunciation
Appendix 2 Table of Chinese Dynasties
Appendix 3 Glossary
Appendix 4 Sample Photographs: Adulterants & Quality Issues
Appendix 5 Table of Authors
Appendix 6 Historical and Source Text Bibliography
Appendix 7 Translators bibliography
Appendix 8 Cross Reference of Pharmaceutical Names with Previous Edition
Herb and formula index
Pinyin-pharmaceutical cross reference
English-pharmaceutical cross reference
Japanese-pharmaceutical cross reference
Korean-pharmaceutical cross reference
Botanical, zoological, and mineral index
General index